Welcome to Fall of Frankenstein

Get ready for the scariest, queerest, sexiest, funniest, feminist(est), environmental-est, cinematic-est Frankensteiniest monster story of them all. This Sept & Oct we’re spending 6 weeks reading, discussing and watching everything Frankenstein.

Fall of Frankenstein includes:

  • A weekly reading assignment with emailed Reading Guides to important themes and plot points to note as you read the original 1818 text over 6 weeks.

  • Thematic movie recommendations (and convenient streaming guide) with an invitation to the Discord group for a synchronized watch & chat Mondays at 8pm ET.

  • Live weekly Zoom discussions of the reading. Discussions are capped at 15 students to ensure everyone has time to share their thoughts.

Why Frankenstein?

Frankenstein is much more than a monster story. Each week through reading guides and live zoom discussions, we’ll explore the many sides of doctor Frank and his creation.

Weekly discussion topics include:

  • The fascinating life and famous family of Frankenstein’s author, Mary Shelley.

  • How the novel redefines our understanding of gothic horror, romantic literature, and science fiction.

  • Hollywood’s many reinventions of Frankenstein, including Igor, the bride, and that cinematic castle.

  • The queerness of the Frankenstein story.

  • It’s Alive! …or is it? AI, robots, and the future of “life.”

  • Reading Frankenstein in the age of environmental horror.

Free Monday Movie Watch Parties

Join us on Discord every Monday from Sept 18 - Oct 30 for a synchronized Frankenstein movie watch party. Stream the movie on your own TV (starting promptly at 8pm ET). All movies are easily available on streaming services.

  • Mon 9/18: Frankenstein (1931)

  • Mon 9/25: Mary Shelley

  • Mon 10/2: Gods and Monsters

  • Mon 10/9: Rocky Horror Picture Show

  • Mon 10/16: Ex Machina

  • Mon 10/23: I’m Your Man

  • Mon 10/30: Frankenweenie

Scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up. You can sign up for free to attend just the watch parties, or include a weekly book discussion group and reading guide for just $25/week.

 FAQs

  • No way! In our weekly discussions we’ll use Frankenstein as a springboard to talk about everything from Billionaires to LGBTQ rights to the ice caps. That’s the beauty of reading classic literature with a group; everyone brings their own perspective.

  • Short answer - no! All reading assignments will be given by chapter, so you can follow along with any edition of the novel, including audiobooks, ebooks, and library copies. (If you do want to buy the book I recommend Penguin Classics’ Frankenstein: the 1818 Text.)

  • No problem! You can sign up for movie nights to be a part of the discussion on Discord for free. Just use the link below marked “movie nights only.”

  • No problem! The Zoom discussions will be dedicated to the reading guide and the book, so you won’t miss anything by skipping the movies.

  • That’s okay, too! The weekly reading guide will catch you up on what you’ve missed.

  • You can receive a full refund up to 24 hours before the first class. After that a partial refund or credit toward a future class may be possible, just email me to ask.

  • Depending on student interest it may be possible to add more discussion sections later. Email me with times that work for you and I’ll let you know!

  • Use the contact form on this website to send me any other questions or comments you have. I look forward to hearing from you!

sign up Now

See below for available discussion sections. All discussion sections include access to the movie Discord group and the weekly Reading Guide. Links will be provided by email after you register.