Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley: An Introduction

Book Details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

• Author: Betty T. Bennett

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st Edition

• ISBN: 9780801859762

• Pages: 192

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.0 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches

About The Book

Mary Shelley: An Introduction by Betty T. Bennett offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the life and work of Mary Shelley, the author most famous for Frankenstein. Bennett’s insightful analysis challenges traditional views of Shelley’s works, positioning them as expressions of a complex socio-political reformist ideology. By emphasizing Shelley’s dual focus on public and domestic power, Bennett explores how these themes were used to interrogate and challenge traditional norms in society.

The book offers a comprehensive retelling of Mary Shelley’s eventful life, and goes beyond Frankenstein to offer in-depth discussions of her lesser-known works, such as Matilda, Valperga, The Last Man, Perkin Warbeck, Lodore, Falkner, and her travel books. Bennett presents Mary Shelley as an inventive and irreverent writer, whose desire for political and social reform is evident throughout her career.

A multidisciplinary approach is central to this work, blending literature, political philosophy, and history, providing a nuanced reading of Shelley’s literary voice. This book is essential for those interested in the complexities of Mary Shelley’s life and her substantial contribution to literature, as well as her advocacy for societal change.