Speculative Fiction: Reading Classic “Frankenstein” and Modern “Chicano Frankenstein”
Alternate Mondays, Next on January 5, 5-6:30 pm ET
Watch this space for new 2026 selections!
Join us for a holiday treat: We will read Mary Shelley’s original Frankenstein alongside a modern take, Chicano Frankenstein.
Mary Shelley arguably initiated the new sphere of “speculative fiction” with her 1818 novel. Shelley wrote the novel to explore–to speculate–on science and technology without societal limits, racism-like prejudice and based on appearance, the consequences of family strains and attenuated parental responsibility, humanity and the natural world, loneliness and isolation, and unchecked ambition on the eve of capitalism. No wonder it has had such lasting impact given these themes, far beyond Frankenstein’s relegation in mass culture to “horror.”
Daniel A. Olivas takes the classic themes one step further, socializing them to present date realities of authoritarianism and inequitable treatment of immigration. This just published novel uses speculative fiction to challenge us to consider what it truly means to recognize ourselves as human in today’s politicized and polarized society.
And as a special holiday social event, we will screen the new Frankenstein film by acclaimed Mexican director, Guillermo del Toro.
With these special additions, we aim to connect our readings and discussion to the new reading group series also starting on Immigration, Chicano Liberation, and Repressive Responses
Whether you have read a lot or a little speculative, we encourage you to give a try to the MEP’s long-running reading group. We have updated our name from “science and visionary fiction” to the more encompassing speculative fiction for 2026.
Convened by Steve Backman and the Speculative Fiction Reading Group