Mary's Monster

 Bibliography: Judge, L. (2018). Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein. Wren & Rook.    ISBN: 978-1-725-42401-2

Plot Summary: This novel in verse is told through Mary Shelley's perspective.  It follows her beginning at the age of 14 when, after her father remarries, Mary is sent to live with a family in Scotland. Two years later she returns home to her dysfunctional family where she soon meets Percy Shelley, a young  married poet. The two soon run away with Mary's younger sister, Claire, and are faced with adversity as they experience debt, an affair, and the loss of a child. When death begins occurring all around her, Mary uses writing to deal with all the trauma.  Her love of science and literature are unified in her book with the development of her "creature" and they help her come to terms with her heartache as well as address man's attempt to control nature. 

Critical Analysis: Though there may be some (very) minor inaccuracies according to some reviewers (I did not notice anything blatantly obvious), Judge's research into the life of Mary Shelley is evidenced by her sourcing and bibliography. She was thorough in her search as her list includes both primary and secondary sources. The biography is told in verse as a fictional memoir, which makes it a more beautiful and dramatic telling of Mary's traumatic story. Every page of verse is countered with a black and white illustration that supports the mostly melancholy nature of the story. The use of figurative language flows naturally throughout and is never forced. A couple of my favorite examples: "I am no longer a girl weary with disappointment. I have become rock and wind and fiery sea" (48) and when she speaks of her romantic feelings for Percy "I want to grasp him unfailingly, like a gentle moth dancing with flame" (89).  A beautiful book and a quick read that will appeal to reluctant readers. 

Reviews:

WordPress.com: "Mary's Monster is a strange but beautiful graphic novel biography written in verse. "

SLJ: "A must-purchase for any middle and high school or public library YA collections, particularly where Gothic horror is in demand."

Awards:

Amelia Bloomer Book List, 2019

Connections:

        In an English class, have students identify elements of figurative language and symbolism by giving an example for each or by choosing one element to illustrate from one of the verses.

             Use in English class to introduce novels in verse and have students write their own (brief) biography         in verse.


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