Steampunk: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

September 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up- Steampunk...Frankenstein combines the third edition of Mary Shelley's book with new illustrations. The introduction does an excellent job of explaining the choice of manuscript-the third edition was the first to include a personal introduction by the author-as well as the reasoning behind the marriage of the classic sci-fi novel and the gothic/Victorian style of art. The personal introduction by Shelley provides the necessary context to set the stage for the highly atmospheric quality of this unique edition. The classic tale tells of Dr. Frankenstein's discovery of the essence of life and creation of an animated being that later becomes a rampaging monster. Traditionally known as the precursor to the modern science fiction genre, it was written with the flowery language and richly descriptive style typical of that time period. The dramatic nature of the story pairs well with the richly hued style of art found throughout. However, the serious nature of the plot is not always complemented by the bespectacled figures featured in the accompanying illustrations. For those uninitiated to the steampunk style, the characters could simply look like goofy individuals in goggles. While fans of steampunk will likely enjoy this offering, this title will not win any new converts to the genre. Readers who enjoy classic literature will love this story with or without illustrations, so this book is strictly an additional purchase.-Sunnie Sette, New Haven Public Library, CT

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
Stark illustrations featuring shadowed landscapes, silhouetted figures, roiling clouds, eerie mists, and, of course, omnipresent gears give a new steampunk flavor to this unabridged version of Shelley's gothic tale. Precise detail and sharply contrasting tones help make the illustrations mysteriously chilling. The elegant design and high-quality production values will help increase the appeal of this classic story to new readers.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)