Frankissstein

Frankissstein alternates between two parallel narratives: Mary Shelley writing her novel Frankenstein in 1816 Geneva, and Ry Shelley, a transgender doctor in present-day Britain. The modern storyline follows Ry's involvement with Victor Stein, a scientist working on artificial intelligence and human consciousness. The novel explores the development of AI technology and cryonics against the backdrop of Brexit-era Britain, while simultaneously recounting the historical circumstances that led to the creation of the original Frankenstein. These dual timelines mirror each other in their examination of scientific advancement, creation, and the boundaries of human life. The book moves between past and present to consider questions of identity, consciousness, and the relationship between mind and body. Through its interweaving narratives, it presents a meditation on humanity's ongoing desire to push beyond natural limits and the consequences of such ambition.

Readers appreciate how the book weaves together multiple timelines and explores themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and gender identity. Many found the parallel narratives between Mary Shelley's story and the modern-day plot compelling and thought-provoking. Readers liked: - The humor and wit throughout the text - Complex handling of transgender identity - Historical accuracy in the Mary Shelley sections - Questions raised about technology and humanity Readers disliked: - Confusing narrative structure - Abrupt transitions between timelines - Some found the AI discussions repetitive - Several felt the modern storyline was weaker than the historical sections "The parallel narratives didn't quite connect for me," noted one Amazon reviewer. Another reader on Goodreads praised "the sharp, funny dialogue that tackles serious themes without becoming heavy-handed." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (300+ ratings)

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🔹 The book's dual timeline structure was inspired by Mary Shelley's original "Frankenstein," which itself used a frame narrative technique with multiple storytellers - a groundbreaking approach for 1818. 🔹 Author Jeanette Winterson wrote her first novel, "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit," at age 24. Like "Frankissstein," it challenged traditional gender norms and won the Whitbread Prize for First Novel. 🔹 The novel's setting in Brexit Britain intentionally mirrors the tumultuous period of 1816 - "The Year Without Summer" - when volcanic ash from Mount Tambora created apocalyptic weather conditions across Europe as Mary Shelley wrote her masterpiece. 🔹 The character of Victor Stein shares his name with Victor Frankenstein but is partially based on real-life transhumanist Max More, who pioneered modern cryonics technology. 🔹 Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" as part of a ghost story competition with Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and John Polidori during their famous stay at Villa Diodati - the same competition that also produced the first modern vampire story.