| Title | : | Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0593198425 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780593198421 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 448 |
| Publication | : | First published March 28, 2023 |
1792. As a child, Mary Wollstonecraft longed to disappear during her father’s violent rages. Instead, she transforms herself into the radical author of the landmark volume A Vindication of the Rights of Woman , in which she dares to propose that women are equal to men. From conservative England to the blood-drenched streets of revolutionary France, Mary refuses to bow to society’s conventions and instead supports herself with her pen until an illicit love affair challenges her every belief about romance and marriage. When she gives birth to a daughter and is stricken with childbed fever, Mary fears it will be her many critics who recount her life’s extraordinary odyssey…
1818. The daughter of infamous political philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, passionate Mary Shelley learned to read by tracing the letters of her mother’s tombstone. As a young woman, she desperately misses her mother’s guidance, especially following her scandalous elopement with dashing poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Mary struggles to balance an ever-complicated marriage with motherhood while nursing twin hopes that she might write something of her own one day and also discover the truth of her mother’s unconventional life. Mary’s journey will unlock her mother’s secrets, all while leading to her own destiny as the groundbreaking author of Frankenstein .
A riveting and inspiring novel about a firebrand feminist, her visionary daughter, and the many ways their words transformed our world.
Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley Reviews
-
Happy release day!
Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for offering a copy of this to review; this title's out March 28th.
Eh, time for my unpopular opinion hat again, as this didn't work for me. It was a combination of women's fiction and historical fiction, woven with a majority of historical accuracy, but no small amount of conjecture.
I'm a nerd for Mary Shelley, and have ended up down many Wikipedia rabbit holes or watching biopics, such that a lot of this was old ground for me to tread. I've also read Wollstonecraft's work, which I was not as impressed with as I thought I'd be, and was already familiar with much of her circumstances too. And I find historical fiction that is written as if true very misleading; my personality wants to believe all of it or nothing, so ~imaginings of what could have been are really not my thing. I think I missed the bottom line of this being fiction when I took the ARC. I quit about a third of the way in.
Nevertheless, the writing is beautiful and reads as very true to the eras presented. There is clearly a lot of research put into this work, and I was even inspired by different bits of information, like the mentioning of Godwin's published work on Wollstonecraft, to look into reading other material.
I do also feel the book would benefit from content warnings, as it opens with Wollstonecraft taking refuge from paternal alcoholic violence and domestic abuse at home, and reference to violence against an animal. It hit too close to home for this reader and perhaps me and the book got off on the wrong foot.
A well done book, but not something I felt enthused about as I read. Three stars for its objective value as a lens to analyze the two Marys. -
The author, whose books I adore, has written a brilliant histfic tale about two remarkable women: Mary Wollstonecraft -- considered the first feminist -- and her daughter Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein -- considered the first science fiction writer.
Thornton has a gift for capturing women who change history with her elegant prose, authentic settings, and stories that grip from first page to last. A must-read! -
*Sigh.* I was so excited to read a novelization of the lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Godwin Shelley, and my disappointment was commensurate with my anticipation. I’m afraid this is the sort of book that gives historical fiction a bad name.
First of all, Thornton feels herself at liberty to play fast and loose with the lives of her characters—not just the title characters but also such figures as Percy Bysshe Shelley, George Gordon, Lord Byron (whom she repeatedly styles George Gordon Byron), and even Napoleon Bonaparte. She fesses up to some of her alterations in the historical note—eliminating siblings, children, inventing literary works never written, changing dates—but those are only the tip of the iceberg of her errors. She may have read biographies of her characters and at least some of their works, but she certainly shirked her historical research. The book is riddled with glaring errors large and small about how life was lived in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in England, ranging from what people ate (and how they ate it) to what they wrote on—William Godwin would certainly be startled to find a hide of vellum in his hand, which Thornton appears to believe is a type of paper. She doesn’t understand England’s class system, imagining a baronet to be an aristocrat for instance. She even gets the date of the Battle of Waterloo wrong! Mary Godwin and Percy Shelley solemnly discuss Napoleon’s final downfall in June 1814.
And then there’s the language. I don’t think an early nineteenth-century conversation necessarily has to be written in pure Regency prose, but when the likes of Mary Godwin and Percy Shelley start talking like soap opera lovers, it harshes my mellow:
”Percy, this feels unhinged.”
“It is, but I’ve never felt like this with anyone, like we’re simply meant to be.”
I’m thinking, “Three hundred more pages of this?” and contemplating suicide. There are also all the usual B-novel boners, characters grinding or grating out words, characters huffing, even a “concern leaking from his eyes.” In its anachronisms this stuff lacks even the intentionality of a Bridgerton.
Why do I even give this book two stars then? Well, the main characters, whose flaming courage and originality can’t be fully erased even by this treatment. When they’re quoted arguing with the literati of their respective days, when they make their courageous choices and lead their unconventional lives with their heads held high, they have to be honored. But oh, what a missed opportunity is in this lazy, short-cutting book! -
✍️ 𝗣𝗨𝗕 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✍️
Thank you #berkleypartner @berkleypub #BerkleyIG #penguinrandomhousepartner. And happy pub day to this magnificent reimagining of the stories of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley.
𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻
𝟰𝟰𝟴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟯/𝟮𝟴/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 - 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
💭𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: Many of you have heard me raving about this book lately (in my stories, in comments, in DMs, etc). I can't recommend Her Lost Words enough. Because while it's full of unspeakable tragedy and loss, it's also incredibly inspiring and so, so brilliantly written.
Admittedly, I knew next to nothing about Mary Wollstonecraft or Mary Shelley, outside of their most famous works: 𝑨 𝑽𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 and 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒊𝒏, respectively. And I had no idea they were mother and daughter. So I worried that my lack of background knowledge may impact my experience. It did not. The reader need not have any prior knowledge of either woman to become completely enamored by this gorgeous novel. In fact, one thing I especially loved was how the author made this so accessible. It was also very easy to follow, while still staying true to the language of the times.
I found it so fascinating the way these two women's lives often paralleled one another, and how much they had in common despite never really knowing one another. I appreciated the author's creative liberties (listen to the author's note at the end), and that ending was *chef's kiss*! 🤌🏼
Her Lost Words is a captivating tribute to two inspiring, courageous women whose work paved the path for the women who came after, and I recommend it with my whole heart. ❤️
.
.
. -
A brilliant and unforgettable portrait of two remarkable women. I knew very little about Mary Wollestoncraft, other than her fame for writing "Vindications of the Rights of Woman," and I was fascinated to learn her life story, as if told from her own pen in the most personal of memoirs. I thought I knew Mary Shelley's story -- because I've read several biographies and seen movies about her, but this novel brought her young self to life in a way that felt 100% real and settled deep in my soul. I loved the author's portrayal of Percy Shelley, William Godwin, and both Marys -- their deep intelligence, fiery passions for the men they loved, devotion and love for their children, desire for change where women's status is concerned, and staunch determination to flout society, follow their hearts, and be free and undefined by a legal connection to a man (although that didn't work out well for either of them). They both suffered so many highs and lows -- literary triumphs, incredible loving relationships with accomplished and passionate men, and yet so much death and loss -- it hurts to contemplate. But, life is not fair. We can't predict the hand we'll be dealt. Despite all the tragedies, these women accomplished a great deal and made their stamp on history. It's a lesson for us all to persevere, follow our dreams, and enjoy the good times while they last, for we never know what's around the corner. Bravo!
-
Eloquently written, Stephanie Thornton captivates in her latest novel, Her Lost Words by bringing to life the words and ideals of two prolific and brilliant female writers who forged paths for the women of today. A novel that explores the relationship between mothers and daughters and the human condition, Thornton grips our hearts with prose on love and loss, grief and survival, and the power of art and expression to heal our very souls. An extremely moving and enlightening novel that is an absolute must read!
-
Since I knew very little about Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley, this historical novel was so enlightening and beautifully written. Mary Wollstonecraft is widely regarded as one of the first feminists, especially after publishing “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” at a time when a single woman was frowned upon for daring to walk in public without a male escort. She was a prolific writer of political philosophy. Her daughter, Mary Shelley, is best know for her novel “Frankenstein”, written when she was just 19. She was also a prolific writer and acknowledged as the “mother of science fiction”. This is also an exploration of the place of women in society at that time and a homage to enduring love.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley/Penguin Random House for the ARC to read and review. -
1815 England; Mary Shelley desperately eager to connect somehow with her late mother, author Mary Wollstonecraft. Dying soon after giving birth to Mary, she longs to follow in her mother's footsteps; through writing. Told from duel points of view, this is a story of love, heartache, feminism, and family. Read-alike: HAMNET by Maggie O'Farrell.
-
I was definitely enamored with this well told story of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, Mary Shelley .I have always had an interest in the era they were born into- 18th century England.
Mary W. was a genius and a political philosopher, who expressed radical thoughts of feminism in her book 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.' She was a feminist living in a time when women's role was to have children, and take care of a household.
Her life was not easy or comfortable. She struggled from the time she was born into a very poor family, where her father was an abusive alcoholic and thus a dysfunctional family setting. She faced several scandals in her life, all dealing with the men she was involved with, and the child she had with each one.
When she had an affair with William Godwin, they both cared for each other and were in love, and even though they didn't believe in marriage, they eventually married as they did not want their beloved daughter to be born into the world as a bastard child. She died after giving birth to her daughter, Mary.
Mary Shelley is the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft. She, too, was a genius, best known for her science fiction book, 'Frankenstein.' When she was 16, she met Percy Bysshe Shelley, and even though Percy was married, they ran away and stayed together until his death from a tragic accident. Three of their children died in infancy. Only one, Percy Florence Shelley, survived into adulthood. Sadly their lives were filled with scandal, pain and suffering.
I learned so much about these two outstanding women. I could feel their heartache and loneliness, their struggles and humanity. That's what pulled me into the story and kept me there until the last word. Although it has been many centuries since they walked this earth, through Stephanie Marie Thornton's stellar novel, I felt that I was able to walk beside them in spirit. -
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton is a dual timeline historical fiction based on the real lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley. Both were passionate women of their time and Mary Shelley eventually wrote the groundbreaking novel, Frankenstein.
Story Recap:
Mary Wollstonecraft was a revolutionary woman and did not live a conventional life, especially during the end of the 17th century, when women were not allowed many rights at all. She wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” which made Mary one of the first feminists of the modern era. She supported herself with her revolutionary writing until she had an affair that changed her mind about love, romance, and marriage and gave her a daughter.
Marry Shelley, the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, misses her mother’s guidance as she grows up. She learns to read and write by tracing the letters on her mother’s tombstone. She marries the famous poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley and struggles with marriage and motherhood. She learns more about her unconventional mother and turns to write stories and becomes the author of Frankenstein.
My Thoughts:
I didn’t know much at all about Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley before reading this book, and I’m so glad to know about them now. They are both passionate women who didn’t bow down to societal expectations.
The book is beautifully written and it pulled me right in. I loved both stories equally and loved both Marys. I love a story about women who fight the system and each of these women did that and succeeded in their own way.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Her Lost Words to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
Two incredible worlds: that of the iconic authoress of Frankenstein and her deep-thinking, pen-wielding, inspiring mother; two unforgettable Marys. I’m a die-hard Stephanie Marie Thornton fan, as well as a receptacle and megaphone for women’s buried stories, give them all to me, but especially this!! I kept thinking: I’m this many years old and am just learning this! I want to shove the book in all the hands. I want to shout out to women and tell them to think and be brave and live! (And read about women such as these Marys). I also love consuming worlds populated by the thinkers and writers of their ages.
This book is all that and more. Audio is sublime. Don’t let it get away. #herlostwords ❤️🔥✍🏻 🧟♂️👱♀️⚖️✨ -
Thank you @berkleypub, @letstalkbookspromo, and @stephaniemariethornton for the gifted copy of the novel!
⁉️: Have you read the works of Mary Wollstonecraft or Mary Shelley? What did you think of them?
What It’s About?
From A Vindication of the Rights of Woman to Frankenstein, a tale of two literary legends—a mother and daughter—discovering each other and finding themselves along the way.
Thoughts 💭:
When I was working on my doctorate exams, I had chosen to write for the women’s, gender, and sexuality studies track, and I chose to work on the list 1700s and after. Amongst the exams, I studied Mary Wollstonecraft’s seminal essay along with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. I was so excited when I saw that there was a historical fiction genre novel that explores their story and gives readers a chance to engage with them and their texts,
Told in dual timelines, the novel begins in 1792 when we learn about Wollstonecraft’s childhood and decision to write A Vindication on The Rights of Woman, I was drawn to her story. The moments that stood out to me was the great sheer of resistance she received as she was trying to publish her essay. The novel, then, shifts focus to 1818, when we follow Mary Shelly, the author of Frankenstein, who desperately longs for her mother and eventually elopes with Percy Bysshe Shelly.
Frankenstein is also one of my favorite novels of all times! :)
A riveting and inspiring novel about a firebrand feminist, her visionary daughter, and the many ways their words transformed our world! -
4.5 Stars but rounding up! This was an incredible look into Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley’s life and their written work. I learned so much about this mother/daughter pair that I didn’t know before. If you are a fan of narrative nonfiction, this might be for you!
-
Absolutely phenomenal book!! Amazing account of historical female trailblazers! This is one of those books that lets you know, as a woman, how far we've come and how we must continue to push forward. We have it so much better now than then but no room for backsliding. What a great read!
-
This was two books that barely connected smushed into one. I liked them each separately, but found that the two plots would’ve stood better on their own.
-
I received this through GdReads First Reads.
A fascinating reveal of the unorthodox lives of Mary Shelly (the author of Frankenstein) and that of her mother. -
My least favorite type of historical fiction, taking an author and inserting a contemporary author’s hypothetical words in their mouth. But this was impressively researched and undoubtedly assisted by an extensive record of letter writing so much a part of the times for literate people. Bringing Mary Wollenscraft and Mary Shelley more into into the limelight for their works is to be applauded.
-
review -
https://booksteacupreviews.com/2023/0...
Her Lost Words is moving and beautifully written historical fiction on the lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley. Their love of literature, zeal for language, radical feminist beliefs, and challenges they faced in their lives during the 18th and 19th centuries are genuinely inspiring.
I don’t have enough words for Her Lost Words. I knew nothing about Mary Wollstonecraft and her books before I read this, nor I knew she was the mother of Mary Shelley, Frankenstein’s author that also I haven’t read yet and I also don’t know anything about Mary Shelly’s life. So Her Lost Words has been informative and educational for me.
The pace is slow but the writing is so beautiful that I devoured every word or every page. The story is written in dual timeline with alternative perspectives of Mary Wollstonecraft (from 1775 to 1979) and Mary Shelley (from 1814 to 1831). It was hard to remember what happened in which year (unless you have taken notes) but I was never confused with their perspectives and life stories.
Her Lost Words covers theme and layers of gender inequality, women’s position in male dominant world and industry, impact of war and revolution on the country and people, injustice and biased legal system towards women, childbirth issues and diseases around this era.
It was amazing to read the parallel life story of mother and daughter that showed they have so many things in common and how deep the connection was even though they never got to know each other and how their words and love tethered them to each other and the world that never has been kind to them.
It’s unfathomable to think how they might have lived with their modern and independent thoughts in the era in which women had no rights to education, no rights to think, even less to voice them, and were expected to live by social norms under male dominance… If they deviated from it they were shunned, spit on in streets, called crazy witches, or were locked in the asylum!
It was admirable how Mary Wollstonecraft escaped her abusive father, found a job as a governess, and then paved her path to famous author in London with only clothes on her body, no money, and only one priced possession- her manuscript ‘Thoughts on the Education of Daughters’ that was rejected by more than a dozen publishers until she found Joseph Johnson who later published all her books and also been supportive with her trip to France only to return back to London with heartbreak and betrayal. I loved how she recovered from betrayal and found her way back to independence, hope, and also love. Her fierce, determined, and unshakable spirit is what made her inspiring and admirable.
While Mary Wallstonecraft’s life was touching and heartfelt, Mary Shalley’s (Mary Godwin before marriage) was even more tragic. When she met Percy Shelley in her father’s bookshop, it was clear he was a trouble and I wasn’t ready to trust him even though it was clear from her name and title, they later got married. Percy was married at that time with a kid and still, he flirted with Mary Godwin and it looked like both her sisters were under his spell.
Their elopement at first sounded big mistake but I get how Mary Godwin felt, desperate to find a connection with her mother and believing in her words about free love and disbelief in social customs, especially marriage, wanting to retrace her footstep to know her better and so running away with Percy looked more right to her and I was relieved to see she wasn’t wrong in believing in heart.
What I loved most in her story is how testing Mary Godwin and Percy Shelley’s relationship was. Life was constant difficulties for Mary Godwin and Percy Shelley until they were forced to marry and even after that life wasn’t easy for them.
What I didn’t expect was soul-shattering series of tragedies in the second half. It made me ugly cry till the end of the book. I was shocked there was no one there for them not even their own families. It feels impossible to live through all these tragedies yet Mary Shelley did and not just lived but made name for herself which was even more inspiring and motivating than her mother’s life story.
From what I read in a Google search there are other things that were fictionalized that aren’t mentioned in notes, like Fanny’s life – she wasn’t as disfigured and depressed as shown in books and her suicide has been a mystery- and about Mary Shelley’s stepmother, Jane Clairemont- She wasn’t a nice person. I cannot validate the sources but whether fictional or real I loved the twist author gave to Jane’s character in the end and how she helped Mary to connect with her mother and also inspired her to write more.
It was interesting to read in the author’s notes about which parts were changed or fictionalized and which were kept close to facts. I agree with what author said in the notes, “this is a love letter to two brilliant women who lit the way for not just women writers, but all women.”
What I loved most is snippets from the work of authors in this book – Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron. It was also interesting to read mentions of some well-known and some forgotten historical figures of the era.
Overall, Her Lost Words is emotive, poignant, touching, inspiring, and beautifully written historical fiction on the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the world’s founding feminist philosophers, and her daughter Mary Shelley, mother of modern sci-fi literature. -
Is there a point in time you would like to visit?
I honestly don’t think I would. I’ve read so much history and historical fiction that I am find leaving the past in the past. HA
This book is a tale of two literary legends – Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, Mary Shelley. Mary Wollstonecraft escaped her father’s abusive household and set off on a life of her own while becoming a political philosopher. She didn’t bow to society’s expectations and supported herself. Unfortunately, she dies during childbirth. Her daughter, years later, Mary desperately misses the mother she never had. She ends up falling and making a life with a married Poet. As Mary struggles with motherhood she starts writing a groundbreaking novel, Frankenstein.
There was something about this writing that drew me in and held my attention. However, it was very confusing to have both characters names Mary. While I understand that in real life they were both named Mary, the author points out in the back of the novel that she has taken liberties with some of the names to make it less confusing! I did find the story interesting and well thought out. The writing was beautiful and well done.
It’s always wonderful reading about strong women throughout history – without them we would not have the liberties we do today. So for that I am thankful I read this book. This was a solid read, and I would recommend it.
This one is out March 28th!
Thank you to the publisher Berkley Publishing, @berkleypub and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
First of all, this book has an absolutely beautiful cover. It is stunning and a perfect fit for the compelling story within.
Prior to this book, I didn't know much about these women, but I was intrigued from the start and couldn't wait to see it all come together and fall into place. The story truly held me captive, as all of Thornton's books tend to do. I love how she can weave such an engaging and wonderful story word by word, detail by detail. The intensity of the emotion in this one was incredible. I went from fear to anger and everything in between as I followed both Mary Wollstonecraft's and Mary Godwin's adventures. These women were so passionate in their own ways, and I was enamored with them and their need for freedom and equality. The depth of their living and loving rocked me to my core several times throughout the story. It was hard to put this one down, and even when I did, it lingered in my mind until I had time to pick it up and continue the tale. I was all in on this one and in awe of Thornton once again for the story that she was able to weave together with words. Her talent knows no bounds; I'm certain of it. -
3.5 or 4 stars. I enjoy Thornton’s writing and the amount of research required to complete this book must have been herculean. She incorporated it gracefully into the stories of these two trail blazing women. I likely enjoyed it less than other readers because its main focus was on the romantic entanglements of the two and less about their writing. While the relationships were important to demonstrate how these women broke the mold, it often read like a romance novel (especially in the storyline of Mary Wollstonecraft), which I personally find less interesting. For that reason, I struggled to maintain my interest throughout. I was hoping the book would speculate more on the thought processes and formative experiences behind A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and Frankenstein.
-
Although I personally need to take a break from tragic historical fiction (as so much of it is), I feel better educated by this book in the sense that it really brings to life the stories of two women whose names I knew but whose experiences I had barely heard about. That, along with glimpses into Romantic poets Shelley and Byron and insights into the lesser-known horrors of the French Revolution, made it a worthwhile read.
-
Excellent account of Mary Wollenscraft and her daughter - and author of Frankenstein - excellent story and prose - a page turner
-
I could not put this book down. The author’s ability to weave two distinct timelines of mother and daughter seeking who they are in this life is fun and very organized. It is about two literary greats, Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, and their trials of being women in their modern society. It follows their experiences of youth, honing their craft, becoming a mother, wife, and the tragedies that befall them. It is a beautifully written story that kept me reading for 2 straight days. I look forward to reading more from this author. Her writing style is lovely.
#goodreadsgiveaway -
Book Review
Thank you to @berkleypub @netgalley @letstalkbookspromo for the #gifted copy of the book! I enjoyed this #buddyread
Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: @berkleypub
Pub Date: March 28, 2023
Have you ever started a book and thought I will never get through it only to really end up loving it? That was totally this book for me. I LOVED IT. For some reason, historical fiction is really hard for me to read. I almost always love the books, but I just struggle getting started.
I really didn't know much about Mary Shelly other than she wrote Frankenstein and y'all know I am a big horror fan so getting to learn about both her and her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, turned out to be very eye opening! I am definitely wanting to go read From a Vindication of the Rights of Woman written by Wollstonecraft. This book was written in dual timelines and was Shelly's quest to learn more about her mother who died when she was just a baby. I found their lives very fascinating and the way in which they felt about relationships. The author did an amazing job with this story and added in a note at the end to explain why she took certain liberties in her writing. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Shelly! -
This was a fantastic historical fiction book detailing the lives of two extraordinary women, a mother and daughter both named Mary: Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Godwin Shelley.
The book is told in dual narratives, we see how much their two lives were paralleled. Unfortunately, Wollstonecraft died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, so the younger Mary never knew her mother other than her writings and what very litter her father told her.
Both were accomplished writers at a very young age, and during a time when women were not known to do anything other than marry, have kids and keep house. It was shocking for a woman to have serious thoughts and opinions as it may “overtax their limited brains”.
The book follows the relationships and struggles to live as independent women, while also loving the men in their lives. They both lived scandalous lives as one did not have a child out of wedlock. Yes, times have changed!
These two did much to help change the view that women were capable of much more than previously accounted for.
The author did an excellent job in this biographical fictional novel, and the author’s note where she details what was changed or modified is not to be missed.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
However, I listened to an audiobook copy, thanks to Penguin Random House for an advanced access to the audiobook. With two narrators, one for each Mary, was very well done and a great way to read this book. -
If all the four and five-star-reviews are to be believed, there are many readers out there who will adore this book, which recounts the lives of feminist frontrunner Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, the author Mary Shelley.
Unfortunately, as much as I wish otherwise, I was not one of them.
This is one of those times where the cliche "it's not you, it's me" applies. Her Lost Words is incredibly well written. Thornton is a gifted writer who nails both the period's speech and mannerisms. Her research is amazing as well. However, as beautiful as her writing was, II simply couldn't connect with the characters. Why? I can't say. That's why I think it's a "me" problem and not an issue with the book.
I will confess that I became more invested near the end of the book when Percy Shelley died. His death was a tragic case of genius taken too soon. He was also, if the story is to be believed, a supportive husband at a time when women were treated like chattel.
I also learned a lot from reading this book. For example, while I knew Lord Bryon was a womanizer, I didn't know the depths of his behavior. The man was a class-A jerk.
My bottom line is this: Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, Mary Shelley were women far ahead of their time. They deserve to have their stories told, and I'm very grateful that Stephanie Marie Thornton brought them to life. While the book wasn't the perfect read for me, it will be for many people. Read it, and judge for yourselves.
I received an advance copy in exchange for this honest review. -
Pub date: 3/28/23
Genre: historical fiction (based on real people)
Quick summary: Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley are two writers extraordinaire - this the story of their lives and their words.
As a Mary myself, I found myself drawn to this story of two historical Marys. Mary Shelley is the more famous one today due to her novel FRANKENSTEIN, but Wollstonecraft's writing is still widely read and taught. I think Thornton did a good job telling the two stories, drawing parallels between the women and their struggles in love and work.
I enjoyed seeing the French Revolution setting through Wollstonecraft's eyes; the highlight of the Shelley timeline was her interactions (and misadventures) with Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. I was also interested in how Wollstonecraft's death immediately after giving birth to Shelley shaped Shelley's life. Reader beware: this book is less about the Marys' work and more about their lives, including their various love affairs. While the book is a bit long for my taste (448 pages), the ending was strong, and I enjoyed getting to know these women. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Berkley and @letstalkbookspromo for my e-ARC and @PRHAudio for my complimentary audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
