IU librarian to discuss Frankenstein at Trine event

ANGOLA (10/02/2018) — The head of public services for Indiana University's Lilly Library will discuss the story of Frankenstein's publication and the history of its readership over the past two centuries in a talk at Trine University on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Rebecca Baumann will present "Stitched and Bound: Frankenstein and the Book" beginning at 1 p.m. in Wells Theater inside Taylor Hall. The event, which is free and open to the public, is offered in partnership with the Indiana Humanities One State/One Story: Frankenstein program.

Prior to "Stitched and Bound," Trine's Department of Humanities and Communication will host a reception from noon to 1 p.m. in Wells Gallery, featuring light refreshments.

While the public perceived the monster brought to life by Victor Frankenstein to be a freak, the novel's first edition was anything but. Instead, it was published as a typical novel of its time, with three volumes bound in plain boards and no mention of author Mary Shelley on its title page.

Baumann's discussion aims to examine the birth of Frankenstein as well as its reception over the years. Her analysis places a strong emphasis on the way the novel's physical formats have affected how readers have understood and connected with Mary Shelley's famous monster.

Baumann curated the Lilly Library's 2018 exhibition, "Frankenstein 200: The Birth, Life, and Resurrection of Mary Shelley's Monster." She also is author of the catalogue published by IU Press to accompany the Frankenstein exhibition.

Seating for "Stitched and Bound" is strictly limited to 75.

For more information, contact Jeanette Goddard, assistant professor in Trine University's Department of Humanities and Communication, at (260) 665-4730 or goddardj@trine.edu.

One State/One Story: Frankenstein is an Indiana Humanities program and has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book.