A new book which explores the history of Frankenstein is partly set in Dundee.
Anne Eekhout, the acclaimed Dutch author, has released the spellbinding new novel, Mary: or, the Birth of Frankenstein, which reimagines the origins of one of the most famous literary works in history.
This historical fiction masterpiece transports readers to 1816, when a young Mary Shelley, only 18 years old, begins to craft the story that would become Frankenstein.
But Eekhout takes a fresh approach, intertwining Shelley’s time in Switzerland with a mysterious and pivotal summer she spent in Dundee, Scotland.
The book delves deeply into the formative experiences that shaped Shelley's imagination. While Mary Shelley is famously known for her stay at Lord Byron's villa on Lake Geneva, where she was challenged to write a ghost story, Eekhout’s novel uncovers another influential chapter in her life—the time she spent in Dundee as a teenager.
During two extended visits to the Scottish city, Mary stayed with the Baxter family, where she encountered tales of mythical beasts and witches, and formed an intense bond with Isabella Baxter, a relationship that adds a new dimension to Mary’s emotional life.
Eekhout brings to life the wild landscapes of Dundee, which Shelley herself described as dark, mysterious, and haunting. The novel highlights the formative effect this period had on Mary’s imagination, blending Scotland’s folklore with her personal grief, including the loss of her baby daughter.
Eekhout’s vivid reimagining also hints that the city’s rugged coastline, stormy weather, and gothic atmosphere may have helped shape some of the eerie elements in Frankenstein.
During a recent visit to Dundee to promote her novel, Eekhout shared her own fascination with the city. "In my mind, I had been there a thousand times," she said.
Although she only visited Dundee for the first time in 2023, after the novel was finished, Eekhout felt a deep connection to the city that had played such an important role in Shelley's life.
During her stay, she retraced Mary’s footsteps, including a visit to the "Frankenstein Steps" on South Baffin Street, where Shelley once stayed at the Baxters' cottage.
In Mary: or, the Birth of Frankenstein, Eekhout skilfully blends historical fact with fiction, exploring the complex emotions that shaped Shelley's life—her grief, her desire, and her fear.
The novel offers a fascinating new perspective on the creation of Frankenstein, revealing the interplay between Mary’s personal experiences in Dundee and the legendary tale of a monster she would soon create.
Released to much anticipation, the book is already garnering praise for its atmospheric writing and its unique take on Shelley’s legacy.
With Mary: or, the Birth of Frankenstein, Anne Eekhout not only sheds new light on the origins of Frankenstein, but also introduces readers to a haunting vision of Dundee—a city that left an indelible mark on one of literature’s greatest minds.
Mary: or, the Birth of Frankenstein is available to purchase now in paperback for £7.99, with the hardcover releasing next month for £13.46.
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