The fountain of youth is a trope older than the story of Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who, dissatisfied with his material wealth (or his impotence, depending on whom you ask) explored Florida in search of permanent virility. Cecilia Jurado plays with the story as it intersects with the Mary Shelley’s tragic story of Frankenstein. Onestar Press releases Madame Frankie Stein in its classic black-and-white format, in an edition of 250. Published in both English and Spanish.
Jurado’s story is that of a lonely scientist, a student of rare and deadly insects who becomes fascinated with a dangerous recipe for youth. The ensuing story mixes thriller with gender critique, fashion photography, and fantastic dictionary entries. In the course of the twisted narrative, Madame Frankie Stern twists narrative form and genre, with a sharp eye to irony, and especially camp.