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Secret Memoirs of Mary Shelley: Frankenstein Diaries - The Romantics
In 1814, 16 year old Mary Godwin eloped to Paris with the 22 year old married poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, taking her 15 year old step-sister Clair with them. Two teenage girls and the romantic poet of “free love” would walk across war ravaged France to Switzerland on an intimate journey of love, sexual awakening, self-discovery, and a young woman artist discovering the real inspirations for the most famous name in literature.
In a rediscovered autobiography, Mary Shelley, released from a promise to keep portions of the journey secret reveals the intimate truth of that trip, and lays her soul bare in the shocking intimacy of love, loss and betrayal, the search for a mother’s validation in the "voice" of Mary Shelley
In a rediscovered autobiography, Mary Shelley, released from a promise to keep portions of the journey secret reveals the intimate truth of that trip, and lays her soul bare in the shocking intimacy of love, loss and betrayal, the search for a mother’s validation in the "voice" of Mary Shelley
Audible Audio
Published July 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 17, 2018
Embellished by Michael January, reportedly based on papers belonging to Mary Shelley this book tells the story of Mary's trip through Europe with Percy and her half sister. Full of interesting people, the politics of the era and many beautiful settings described in considerable detail, the story allows the reader to become much better acquainted with both Mary and her poet lover (and later husband). According to the story, this trip provided her with much of the local knowledge and materials she later used to write her famous novel.
I loved the history, the naivety of the teen-age Mary, the precociousness of her younger sister and the character of the often obtuse Percy Shelley.
A wonderfully entertaining story and a must for students of post-Revolutionary France and the Romantic poets.
Well worth your time.
I loved the history, the naivety of the teen-age Mary, the precociousness of her younger sister and the character of the often obtuse Percy Shelley.
A wonderfully entertaining story and a must for students of post-Revolutionary France and the Romantic poets.
Well worth your time.
August 17, 2018
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
I wasn't aware of the historical context of this story beforehand and went in blind. And that didn't prevent me from enjoying this well written book that tells the story in an engaging way. It took me some time to get into the flow, but once I was accustomed, I was hooked. I liked the characters and their journey. The vivid imagery made it feel like I was watching a movie on screen. The historical setting, the character nuances, the unique storyline - it has everything going for it.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Narration by Heidi Gregory was a good match for the content. She voiced the characters convincingly.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
I wasn't aware of the historical context of this story beforehand and went in blind. And that didn't prevent me from enjoying this well written book that tells the story in an engaging way. It took me some time to get into the flow, but once I was accustomed, I was hooked. I liked the characters and their journey. The vivid imagery made it feel like I was watching a movie on screen. The historical setting, the character nuances, the unique storyline - it has everything going for it.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Narration by Heidi Gregory was a good match for the content. She voiced the characters convincingly.
September 3, 2018
Mary Godwin meets and falls in love with Percy Bysshe Shelley, and to escape their families' condemnation flee to France with her younger stepsister. I loved the story, I felt like I was there, back in the early 1800's in post-revolutionary France, feeling the love, the turmoil, the fear.... but with most painful or life-changing experiences, they can become inspiration for great works of art. Follow their story with this captivating tale, I loved the writing/story and the narration was awesome!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 5, 2018
Headstrong, Hedonistic and Happy
Well, mostly happy. There's the issue of laudanum addiction, and Claire's behavior, and the severe lack of funds. If one didn't know the events had, in fact, occurred (enhanced, perhaps? I'd love to see the source documents!), one would think they were a bonnie fiction put out by a Regency Romance novelist. One can see at once the fertile imagination of the young Mary as well as many of the sources of her inspiration to write her horror novel. As delightfully narrated by Heidi Gregory, you are with the three young people as they travel through France, Switzerland, and by boat down the Rhine. Travelogue, history lesson and romance in one!
Well, mostly happy. There's the issue of laudanum addiction, and Claire's behavior, and the severe lack of funds. If one didn't know the events had, in fact, occurred (enhanced, perhaps? I'd love to see the source documents!), one would think they were a bonnie fiction put out by a Regency Romance novelist. One can see at once the fertile imagination of the young Mary as well as many of the sources of her inspiration to write her horror novel. As delightfully narrated by Heidi Gregory, you are with the three young people as they travel through France, Switzerland, and by boat down the Rhine. Travelogue, history lesson and romance in one!
August 22, 2018
An enjoyable book to listen to.This is a well written account of Mary Shellys early life.Her sister is infatuated with Shelley.On a journey far from home she ,Clare,shows jus how out of touch she is with the world.Heidi Gregory was the perfect narator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews