Mary Shelley - by Catherine Reef (Hardcover)

About the Book

On the 200th anniversary of the publication of "Frankenstein" comes a riveting biography of its author, whose life reads like a dark gothic novel filled with scandal, death, drama--and one of the strangest love stories in literary history. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

On the 200th anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein, comes a riveting biography of its author, Mary Shelley, whose life reads like a dark gothic novel, filled with scandal, death, drama, and one of the strangest love stories in literary history.

The story of Frankenstein's creator is a strange, romantic, and tragic one, as deeply compelling as the novel itself. Mary ran away to Lake Geneva with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley when she was just sixteen. It was there, during a cold and wet summer, that she first imagined her story about a mad scientist who brought a corpse back to life. Success soon followed for Mary, but also great tragedy and misfortune.
Catherine Reef brings this passionate woman, brilliant writer, and forgotten feminist into crisp focus, detailing a life that was remarkable both before and after the publication of her iconic masterpiece. Includes index.

Review Quotes

"Reef does an excellent job of putting Mary Shelley's life and work in context. Teen fans of Frankenstein will be doubly rewarded by both an account of the inspiration for the novel and the fascinating, scandal-rich life of its author." -- Booklist

"A thorough, sensitive portrayal of one of literature's most remarkable authors." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A pleasurably angst-infused read." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Shelley comes solidly to life as a woman who, like her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, bucked the conventions of her time to follow her own star." -- School Library Journal

About the Author

Catherine Reef is the award-winning author of more than forty nonfiction books for young people and adults, many of them biographies about influential women in history, including the highly praised Florence Nightingale. She lives in College Park, Maryland. www.catherinereef.com