Title: The Frankenstein Papers
Author: Fred Saberhagen
Date of First Publication: 1986
Place of Publication: Baen
Type: Novel
Characters: Victor Frankenstein; The Creature; Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein; Justine Moritz
Themes: ANDROID; BYRONIC HERO; POSTHUMAN; MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER; SYMPATHETIC MONSTER
Critical Summary: This novel is told both through the creature’s perspective in a “present” time and past reflection, as well as within letters to various people adding alternative explanations. The creature is in the arctic after his desperate flight from his creator when the story begins. During a journey South into North America, then towards Europe, with the goal of revenge, he meets many people and learns about himself. He recounts the past in a journal starting after his creation which details the plans Frankenstein and others have for him over time. On his journey to find them, he meets Benjamin Franklin, and eventually his son, who aid him in his search of and flight. They flee through France to Ingolstadt where the creature attempts to learn his name and origins. Different reports are narrated about his awakening, as the creature remembers his name and who (and what) he is. He explains some of his memories to Freeman and then leaves the city and is not seen again. The last chapter of the book is a report detailing the work of extraplanetary “Observers” on Planet 43. One of these Observers against orders landed his ship in Ingolstadt during a storm to examine the electrical work being done by Frankenstein. Lightning hit the building causing the equipment to malfunction, knocking Observer unconscious and wiping his memory. He then lived and observed Earth inhabitants as Victor’s nameless Creature until he eventually recovered his memories. Frankenstein’s Creature, in short, is an alien.
The treatment of the Creature, his lack of agency, his struggles, and his flight are identifiable and make the reader inclined to sympathize with him. He is treated horribly by most people because he is not seen as human, but rather a different species. Those who believed he was created act superior to him because they are human, created by God and nature. Victor has little sympathy for the creature and often resents him, though in this version of the story the reader realizes that Victor did not create life, only found it. The creature gains intelligence and understanding as he inhabits Earth and begins to suspect that Frankenstein is not as able as he appears. When the Observer regains his memory and goes back to his ship, we can note a major change from the original story. The Observer was reckless and not a victim, but rather a danger to Earth, or Planet 43. He was just as selfish a mad scientist as Victor in his search for accolades and discovery. As an alien and member of a much more advanced race, he looks down on humans as they did when he was among them. He and the other observers are condescending in their study of people, treating them like rats in a maze that still need to learn. The last chapter of the book turns many of the assumptions and ideas the reader has about the world on its head forcing the reader to reassess the story.
Administrative Notes: Lauren Lloyd, CSUF; Dr. David Sandner, CSUF (editing)