The Cambridge Companion to Frankenstein

The Cambridge Companion to Frankenstein consists of sixteen original essays on Mary Shelley's novel by leading scholars, providing an invaluable introduction to Frankenstein and its various critical contexts. Theoretically informed but accessibly written, this volume relates Frankenstein to various social, literary, scientific and historical contexts, and outlines how critical theories such as ecocriticism, posthumanism, and queer theory generate new and important discussion in illuminating ways. The volume also explores the cultural afterlife of the novel including its adaptations in various media such as drama, film, television, graphic novels, and literature aimed at children and young adults. Written by an international team of leading experts, the essays provide new insights into the novel and the various critical approaches which can be applied to it. The volume is an essential guide to students and academics who are interested in Frankenstein and who wish to know more about its complex literary history.

Introduction Andrew Smith; Part I. Historical and Literary Contexts: 1. Frankenstein: its composition and publication Charles E. Robinson; 2. Contextualising sources Lisa Vargo; 3. Romantic contexts Jerrold E. Hogle; 4. The context of the novel Catherine Lanone; 5. Scientific contexts Andrew Smith; 6. Frankenstein's politics Adriana Craciun; Part II. Theories and Forms: 7. The female Gothic Angela Wright; 8. What is queer about Frankenstein? George E. Haggerty; 9. Race and Frankenstein Patrick Brantlinger; 10. Frankenstein and ecocriticism Timothy Morton; 11. The posthuman Andy Mousley; Part III. Adaptations: 12. Dramatic adaptations of Frankenstein Diane Long Hoeveler; 13. Frankenstein and film Mark Jancovich; 14. Literature David Punter; 15. Frankenstein in comics and graphic novels Christopher Murray; 16. Growing up Frankenstein: adaptations for young readers Karen Coats and Farran Norris Sands.

Andrew Smith is Reader in Nineteenth-Century English Literature at the University of Sheffield. His 18 books include the forthcoming Gothic Death 1740–1914: A Literary History, The Ghost Story 1840–1920: A Cultural History (2010), Gothic Literature (2007, revised edition 2013), Victorian Demons (2004) and Gothic Radicalism (2000). He edits, with Benjamin Fisher, the award-winning series Gothic Literary Studies and Gothic Authors: Critical Revisions. He also edits, with William Hughes, The Edinburgh Companions to the Gothic series. He is a past President of the International Gothic Association.