Monsters: The passion and loss that created Frankenstein

This book was wonderful, I found myself completely absorbed into the tale of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Woolstonecraft Godwin and Claire Clairmont and their fight against the conventions of a society that rigidly rejected their way of life. Percy, or Bysshe as he was known, infatuated all three daughters in the household of William Godwin but he only had eyes for Mary. He, however, was married and had deserted his pregnant wife and young child. When Mary and her step sister Jane, later known as Claire, ran away with Bysshe, there was uproar and they were ostracised from society, which worsened when Mary became pregnant. The three of them moved regularly from place to place, at home and abroad, to evade creditors and to move from the hostility towards them. They eventually became associates of Lord Byron, who had also gotten himself embroiled in many scandals. One evening the group of friends challenged each other to write a ghost story. Although initially stuck for ideas, Mary started to write the classic Frankenstein, subconsciously inspired by events that had happened to her and her family. She became obsessed with the writing of it while tragedies and losses continued to happen around her. This was such a tragic and sad book. Mary and Bysshe lost so many children and Bysshe tragically died in a boating accident at the age of 29. I had not been aware of much of their background and it was engrossing to learn about them. Recommended for age 14+. 464 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Amanda Hamilton, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+

Wow! Few books that I've read recently are as pathologically compelling as this one was. A recount of the woman who starts at Mary Godwin and ends as Mary Shelley. The book opens in her teens, with Mary being idealistic, bored and cynical. When Percy Shelley enters her life, it instantly changes - his magnetism, passion and ideals transform every single aspect of her life. Both in ways that are both good and bad. Told through diary entries and letters, we learn all about Mary and those around her to an incredible and insightful extent. We hear from multiple points-of-view, the mixture of perspectives allowing for the book to feel objective and honest. What makes the book so un-put-down-able is that it finds the perfect balance between the impeccable and detailed historical research, but told in such a compelling and engaging way. Soon into reading this, you quickly realise that whatever you thought you knew about Mary barely scratched the surface. We learn so much about Mary's family - the complicated family dynamics both of her family and the romantic complications that lead to even more tension. Every single character seems laid bare and is transparently depicted - the things that made them brilliant and the things that made them flawed are fully exposed. No single character is favoured, all are unlikable to some extent - but we still care about them because of Dogar's incredible writing style. They're balanced and honest portrayals, of people who seem very real. Something that should be almost impossible as the events depicted took place 200 years ago! A must for anyone studying either Shelley, or is just interested in the unique voice of a thoroughly modern 19th century woman. 464 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Charlotte Harrison, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 11+