Frankenstein is one classic story that has never entirely left the cultural zeitgeist. Throughout the past century, there have been numerous cinematic adaptations as well as video games, comics, and even a ballet.
But over the last year, Frankenstein fever has been hitting a real stride. Between Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride!, it feels like Shelley’s monster is lurking around every corner.
In my new fiction collection The Haunted Houses She Calls Her Own, I’ve even gotten in on the Frankenstein fun with my tale, “Lost in Darkness and Distance,” which follows a beheaded Marie Antoinette as she wanders into Lord Byron’s infamous ghost story contest and meets Mary Shelley at the moment she’s telling the Frankenstein story for the first time.
This, of course, has gotten me thinking about unusual adaptations of Shelley’s pivotal work. So for your monster-loving pleasure, here are six incredibly unique adaptations of Mary Shelley and her famed creature.
Unwieldy Creatures
Released in 2022 from Jaded Ibis Press, Addie Tsai’s Unwieldy Creatures is one of the most original retellings you’ll ever read. Told from the perspectives of three different characters, the story examines themes of ambition and identity through a queer, nonbinary, and biracial lens.
I have absolutely no doubt that Mary Shelley would have loved this modern and uncompromising retelling of her work, and that’s truly some of the highest praise I can offer to any Frankenstein retelling. Nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award, Unwieldy Creatures should go on the top of your TBR pile as soon as possible. It’s that incredible.
Sleeping With the Monster
Anya Martin’s debut collection, released in 2018 from Lethe Press, remains one of my favorite short story collections of the past ten years.
While all of the tales fit in the weird fiction and horror genre, Frankenstein fans will particularly fall in love with Martin’s story, “The Un-Bride, or No Gods and Marxists,” which follows Elsa Lanchester prior to the filming of her iconic role in The Bride of Frankenstein.
It’s such a fresh and unusual take, and I particularly love stories that use real historical figures, especially ones from Hollywood history. Anya Martin truly hits it out of the park with every story in this collection, so pick up a copy as soon as you can.
Eynhallow
Released in 2024 from Raw Dog Screaming Press, Eynhallow was one of the most beloved and talked about horror releases of that year, and for good reason. The story follows Agnes, a lonely wife and mother living on the eponymous island.
When a mysterious scientist comes to Eynhallow to conduct his strange experiments, Agnes finds herself drawn closer and closer to a man she doesn’t know if she can truly trust.
This beautiful and devastating tale proves once again that there are plenty of new and intriguing angles of Shelley’s original novel left to explore.
Eternal Frankenstein
If you’re in the mood for not just one but a whole book of different Frankenstein-inspired stories, then you’re in luck. The Eternal Frankenstein anthology, which was released in 2016 from Word Horde, absolutely fits the bill.
With a table of contents that includes Kristi DeMeester, Damien Angelica Walters, and Orrin Grey, you know you’re in for a treat (Bonus: Anya Martin’s aforementioned story was originally published in this anthology!).
Plus, that fabulous cover that perfectly resembles a weathered manuscript will look gorgeous on any classic literature lover’s bookshelf.
Blood & Dirt
In his debut novel, Corey Niles delivers a truly unforgettable take on the Frankenstein mythos. The story follows Vincent as he copes with the death of his partner James, who was murdered in a hate crime.
However, James soon reappears, and Vincent must unravel the mystery of how his partner is back from the dead as well as why so many gay men are disappearing in his city. Horrifying and heart-wrenching, Blood and Dirt will stick with you.
I don’t want to say too much about the Frankenstein themes in this one, since it might be a bit of a spoiler, but needless to say, Blood and Dirt made this list, which means if you’re a fan of Mary Shelley’s work and you want a more queer-centric book inspired by it, then this one is absolutely for you.
All You Need is Love and a Strong Electric Current
Not all Frankenstein retellings have to be on the somber side of things. On the contrary, Mackenzie Kiera’s 2020 novella, All You Need Is Love and a Strong Electric Current, has a blast exploring the strange intersection of reanimation and kink.
Released through Unnerving’s Rewind or Die series, the story follows Sadie, who likes things in the bedroom to be… cold. And when her boyfriend has an unexpected accident, she decides to bring him back to life, so they can continue enjoying her unusual fetish.
However, she soon realizes she’ll have to play the role of a mad scientist if she wants to keep all his parts in good working order. A wild ride unlike any other, this is one book where you have to read it to believe it. It’s that good of a time.
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