Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel

“Pride and Prometheus” is a 2008 novelette by John Kessel. It is about a woman’s chance meeting with Dr. Frankenstein in 19th century England.

Combining Two Classic Stories

Thank goodness for my wife. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t know the story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and knowing that story turns out to be a good thing when reading this story. John Kessel’s “Pride and Prometheus” is about Mary Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice) and Victor Frankenstein (from Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus.) I was somewhat familiar with both stories (although I have never read either of them), so I really enjoyed reading this one and found myself laughing out loud and admiring the author’s clever combination of the two classics.

Will They Bring Pitchforks and Torches?

Anyway, “Pride and Prometheus” is about Mary and Katherine (Kitty), the little sisters of Elizabeth Bennet. Several years after the events of Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet drags Mary to a ball that Kitty is attending. While there Mary encounters Mr. Victor Frankenstein, who is traveling in England with his friend Henry Clerval. She is delighted to find Mr. Frankenstein most agreeable and easily converses with him about a variety of subjects. After several encounters she becomes even more fascinated, but when rumors of a grave robber are heard Mary discovers that Victor is harboring a terrible secret – one which will haunt the Bennet family for a long time indeed!

My Two Cents…

• I’m not sure about John Kessel’s other stories (since this is the first one I’ve read by him) but the writing in this story was excellent! Not only was the story-telling good, but it was also written in the manner of a 19th century English novel! Very well done!
• While it isn’t one of the most science-fictiony stories I’ve read, I did have a difficult time putting it down. It was just very fun to read, and knowing both stories made me eager to see how they be would mixed.
• Personally I liked everything about this story, but if you are not a fan of 19th century English writing styles then you may not enjoy it so much.

Stats:

• My Rating: 4.8 out of 5
• Page Count: 26
• Word Count: 13,870
• “Pride and Prometheus” was originally published in the January 2008 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
• Awards:
  • “Pride and Prometheus” won the 2009 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and the 2009 Shirley Jackson Award.
  • It was nominated for the 2009 Hugo Award and World Fantasy Award.
  • It also placed 5th in the 2009 Locus Poll for Best Novelette.
• “Pride and Prometheus” is included in The Baum Plan for Financial Independence and Other Stories by John Kessel. (Find it at Amazon.com or search for it on eBay.)
• You can download “Pride and Prometheus” for free (as part of the previously mentioned book) from Small Beer Press.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked this story then you might also enjoy A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman – in which Sherlock Holmes meets Cthulhu!

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