Poor Things and Frankenstein

What are the relationships between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), Alasdair Gray’s Poor Things (1992) and the film, Poor Things?

What sparks of inspiration fly between literature and film?

This Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Literary Studies seminar will explore issues of influence and adaptation. 

Poor Things (2023; dir. Yorgos Lanthimos) is described as ‘The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr Godwin Baxter’ (IMDB). This multi-nominated movie reminds people of Mary Shelley’s  novel, Frankenstein (1818) but is actually based on a novel by Alasdair Gray. 

This seminar is ideal for University of Essex students and researchers as well as members of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Literary Studies. 

The seminar is a hybrid event, to be held on campus and online.  Participants wishing to join remotely can do so via the event Zoom link.