CUSS.

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About the Book

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, Mackenzi Lee’s This Monstrous
Thing is an alternate history that explores how the incredible novel was inspired
in a reimagined world. In 1818 Geneva, Alasdair Finch is a Shadow Boy—an
illegal mechanic who cares for men built with clockwork parts. After a terrible Book
accident kills Alasdair’s brother Oliver, Alasdair and his friend Mary do more Club
than give his brother just new parts . . . they bring him back from the dead. But Pick!
Oliver returns more monster than man.
Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for
Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real-life doctor and his monster. Alasdair
finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to
escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price
only Oliver can pay. . . .

Discussion Questions
1. W
 hy do you think the author was inspired to write a book in an
alternate Geneva? What is the significance of the time period and
location to the clockwork pieces?
2. W
 hy does the public at large have negative opinions about the Shadow
Boys and clockwork men? Do you think that they are destined for
“damnation” as inspector Jiroux says on page 273? Discuss.
3. C
 ompare and contrast Oliver and Alasdair’s relationship before
and after the resurrection. How does Oliver’s actions affect their
relationship as brothers?
4. Consider ways that Alasdair and Oliver become more similar as the
novel goes on. How many can you list?
5. W
 hat do the contents of Mary’s package signify to Alasdair? Would it
have been helpful for Alasdair in the long run if he had read the letter
when it first arrived? Why or why not?
6. Explain Oliver’s postmortem state. Do you sympathize with Oliver?
Do you sympathize with Alasdair? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think Alasdair lied about the night Oliver died?
8. W
 hat does the Frankenstein revolution represent to the police and
the clockwork men?
9. D
 o you agree with Oliver when he says that Geisler’s research is
“wicked work”? Why is Geisler’s work immoral in Oliver’s eyes?
10. W
 hy do you think Mary told the reporter that Frankenstein was based
on a dream and not “true events” (p. 359)?
11. C
 ompare and contrast Alasdair and Oliver Finch to Mary Shelley’s
Victor Frankenstein and his monster.
12. H
 ow are Frankenstein and This Monstrous Thing creation myths? Why
do you think the author included Mary Shelley herself in her
reimagining of the story of Frankenstein?
13. H
 ow do the industrial aspects of This Monstrous Thing make it different
from Frankenstein?
14. W
 hy do you think the author chose to reimagine Frankenstein? What
other books or movies do you know that are reimaginings of a classic
story? How do these retellings contribute to our understanding of
the original story?

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