In 'Frankenstein Dreams', Michael Sims weaves a captivating narrative that explores the origins and impact of Mary Shelley's iconic novel, 'Frankenstein'. The book delves into the Victorian era, revealing how Shelley's imaginative work was shaped by the tumultuous events and scientific breakthroughs of her time. As readers journey through Shelley's life, they encounter the eerie landscapes and vibrant characters that inspired her creation of the monster. Sims blends biography with literary analysis, prompting a reflection on the nature of humanity and the dark allure of creation. This enchanting tale of inspiration and ingenuity will leave readers pondering what it truly means to be alive.
By Michael Sims
Published: 2017
""In the pursuit of knowledge, we may encounter the very essence of our humanity and the shadows that lie within.""
From Mary Shelley to H.G. Wells, a collection of the best Victorian science fiction from Michael Sims, the editor of Dracula's Guest. Long before 1984, Star Wars, or The Hunger Games, Victorian authors imagined a future where new science and technologies reshaped the world and universe they knew. The great themes of modern science fiction showed up surprisingly early: space and time travel, dystopian societies, even dangerously independent machines, all inspiring the speculative fiction of the Victorian era. In Frankenstein Dreams, Michael Sims has gathered many of the very finest stories, some by classic writers such as Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, and H.G. Wells, but many that will surprise general readers. Dark visions of the human psyche emerge in Thomas Wentworth Higginson's "The Monarch of Dreams," while Mary E. Wilkins Freeman provides a glimpse of “the fifth dimension” in her provocative tale "The Hall Bedroom.' With contributions by Edgar Allan Poe, Alice Fuller, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy, Arthur Conan Doyle, and many others, each introduced by Michael Sims, whose elegant introduction provides valuable literary and historical context, Frankenstein Dreams is a treasure trove of stories known and rediscovered.
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“"In the pursuit of knowledge, we may encounter the very essence of our humanity and the shadows that lie within."”
Frankenstein Dreams
By Michael Sims
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Michael Sims is an acclaimed American author and editor known for his engaging and insightful explorations of literature and history. His notable works include 'The Story of Charlotte's Web: E.B. White's Eccentric Life in Nature and the Birth of an American Classic,' which delves into the life of the beloved author, and 'Arthur and Sherlock: Conan Doyle and the Creators of Holmes,' a captivating examination of the interplay between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his iconic detective. Sims's writing is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a narrative style that often weaves personal anecdotes with literary analysis, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable for readers.
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In a dystopian 1985, former superheroes are drawn out of retirement to investigate the murder of one of their own. As they delve deeper, they uncover a conspiracy that could mean the end of the world. Amid complex moral dilemmas and a fractured society, the characters grapple with the consequences of their past actions. From the philosophical to the political, "Watchmen" challenges the very nature of heroism. This groundbreaking graphic novel will leave you questioning what it truly means to be a hero.
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