While doing research on Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein," for a film project, I came across one of the most peculiar and earliest works of fan fiction in history. A rabid fan of Shelley, Dorothy Baxter (1802-1861) started writing fan letters to the author shortly after the publication of "Frankenstein" in 1818. In fact, she sent Mary Shelley more than two hundred fan letters and even got to meet the famous author. Then, in 1823, Dorothy gave birth to a stillborn child. The experience apparently traumatized her beyond ...
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While doing research on Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein," for a film project, I came across one of the most peculiar and earliest works of fan fiction in history. A rabid fan of Shelley, Dorothy Baxter (1802-1861) started writing fan letters to the author shortly after the publication of "Frankenstein" in 1818. In fact, she sent Mary Shelley more than two hundred fan letters and even got to meet the famous author. Then, in 1823, Dorothy gave birth to a stillborn child. The experience apparently traumatized her beyond consolation and within months had become a full blown opium addict. She lived on the streets of London where she panhandled, and continued to prostitute herself. In 1827, she was committed to Kensington Metal Hospital. It was here that Dorothy Baxter wrote the following version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It was never officially titled by Baxter, however we are publishing it under the title, "Fucking Frankenstein."
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