7. Frankenstein: Horror, Humanity, and Hubris

About this episode

Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett explore the origins and impact of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Did Mary Shelley create the first true science fiction novel? Is Frankenstein a philosophical fable? How did Frankenstein inspire countless more horror stories? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Frankenstein, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. You can order Frankenstein and explore our favourite Folio books at https://foliosociety.com/thebookclub Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Josh Smith Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Dominic Sandbrook

Guest: Tabitha Syrett

Topics covered

• science fiction
• philosophy
• horror stories
• Mary Shelley
• literary analysis

Keywords

• Frankenstein
• Mary Shelley
• science fiction
• horror
• philosophical fable
• literature
• writing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Goalhanger, Folio Society, podcastchoices.com

Books & works: Frankenstein

More episodes of The Book Club

• 16. The Hunger Games: Rebellion and Violence In Dystopian America · June 1, 2026 · 1h 16m
• 15. Mrs Dalloway: Woolf, Sexuality, and Change · May 25, 2026 · 1h 24m
• 14. Beloved: Memory, Morrison, and Modern American Fiction · May 18, 2026 · 1h 20m
• 13. The Woman In White: Victorians, Sensation, and Scandal · May 11, 2026 · 1h 12m
• 12. A Court of Thorns and Roses: ''Fairy Smut'' or Fantasy Sensation? · May 4, 2026 · 1h 15m
• 11. The Hound of the Baskervilles: Mystery, Folklore, and Sherlock Holmes · April 27, 2026 · 1h 17m