Mary's Monster: Love, Madness and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein

Mary's Monster is a sublime work of art lovingly crafted, meticulously researched and stunningly realised by the talented and tenacious Lita Judge, who, like Mary, found renewed strength through creativity after challenging times. She has cleverly constructed Mary Shelley's tempestuous and troubled biographical testament in nine parts [reflecting the nine months spent writing Frankenstein, the dated epistolary section of the novel and the length of a pregnancy] charting this remarkable woman's traumatic experiences and 'horrible imaginings' from 1812- 1823 that led to the creation of her famous 'hideous progeny' which celebrated its bicentenary last year. From the striking cover depicting the fiercely independent Mary's side profile in stark monochrome with her creature in bloody red behind her representing her internal torment, to the end pages which remember her legacy, the reader is gripped by evocative, gothic imagery that expertly communicates Mary's agony, grief, passion and sorrow. Judge brings Mary's biography to life by skillfully juxtaposing fragments from her archived letters and journals with extracts from contemporary literary works and biographical sources. A scraping hand, lightning bolts and shrieking birds are the prelude to Mary's monster's prologue that begins an emotional journey. Visual mastery is evident from the start with the startling use of perspective and eye contact connecting the reader to Mary and her creature. The pages urge to be turned as the story of Mary's cruel exile to Scotland at the age of 14 by her malicious stepmother and her ensuing misfortunes following her ill-fated elopement with Percy Shelley unfolds. The book explores the events and influences in the young girl's life that reflect the key themes of the iconic novel including a love for intellectual debate and romantic poetry, historical unrest, galvanism, the horrific sight of convicts' bodies strung up, medical experimentation, morality, personal tragedy, the psychological damage caused by abandonment and humanity's relationship with nature and God. As the protagonists journey through dramatic landscapes and confront crippling emotions, Judge's imagery is haunting and compelling, conveying a cavalcade of expressions caused by anger, cruelty, death, grief, guilt, love, bliss and rejection. Throughout, there is evidence of the ravages of war, poverty and mistreatment of women. Pathetic fallacy is present in the darkening clouds, jagged flashes of lightning, stormy weather, birds of omen and the consumption of Mary by her monster. Mary and Lita's powerful message is that evil and suffering ensues when men reject what they have created. Mary's Monster is an unforgettable reading experience which will resonate with KS4 students studying the text as they will witness the damage inflicted by toxic and abusive relationships. 320 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Tanja Jennings, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+

Mary's Monster is a beautifully written and illustrated biography by Lisa Judge. Taking four years to create, it immerses us in the life and struggles of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. Using ethereal images and verse, Judge creates the mood and atmosphere of Mary Shelley's tumultuous existence with first her family and then her love and tormentor, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Grieving for her mother and withdrawn from her adoptive family in Scotland, Shelley falls in love with the poet Percy and so begins an affair and marriage that has passion, betrayal and madness at its core. This book is stunning with artwork that expresses the sorrow, grief, love and life of Mary. The verse throughout is informed, lyrical and will entice reader and reluctant reader alike. Highly recommended, I could not put it down. 304 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Lorraine Ansell, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+