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8675309mp's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
bargainsleuth's review
4.0
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Trigger warnings: paternal alcoholic violence and domestic abuse at home, and reference to violence against an animal.
I’ve read Stephanie Marie Thornton two times prior to Her Lost Words. First there was American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt. Then there was And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. I liked both books, but wasn’t overwhelmed by them, in part because I knew so much about the principal characters in the story. In this case, I knew very little about Mary Wollstonecraft or Mary Shelley beyond basic trivia.
The writing is beautiful, at once women’s fiction and also historical fiction at its finest. However, while listening to the audiobook, if not paying close attention, the dual timeline could get confusing since both women were named Mary. In the author’s notes, she even mentions how she took liberties with other names because there were so many other characters who shared the same names, so I appreciated that.
I loved reading about strong female characters at a time when women were objects and property of their husbands with no rights of their own. The Marys didn’t think that way, nor did they live their lives that way, either. Mary Wollstonecraft supported herself and was outspoken in her views. She died during childbirth and her daughter, Mary, longs to know her mother beyond her well-known writings. She, too, thinks outside the box, and soon takes up with the poet Percey Shelley.
I can’t imagine being a writer of someone whose own written words were so groundbreaking. There had to have been great pressure, as evidenced in Her Lost Words, as Mary Shelley struggles to create something groundbreaking in her own right. That result: Frankenstein, which created a whole new genre of literature, the science fiction novel.
Both Marys personal lives were complex, and maybe that’s what drove them to rise above society’s norms for women and do what many only dreamed of doing: making a name for oneself with a lasting legacy.
Trigger warnings: paternal alcoholic violence and domestic abuse at home, and reference to violence against an animal.
I’ve read Stephanie Marie Thornton two times prior to Her Lost Words. First there was American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt. Then there was And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. I liked both books, but wasn’t overwhelmed by them, in part because I knew so much about the principal characters in the story. In this case, I knew very little about Mary Wollstonecraft or Mary Shelley beyond basic trivia.
The writing is beautiful, at once women’s fiction and also historical fiction at its finest. However, while listening to the audiobook, if not paying close attention, the dual timeline could get confusing since both women were named Mary. In the author’s notes, she even mentions how she took liberties with other names because there were so many other characters who shared the same names, so I appreciated that.
I loved reading about strong female characters at a time when women were objects and property of their husbands with no rights of their own. The Marys didn’t think that way, nor did they live their lives that way, either. Mary Wollstonecraft supported herself and was outspoken in her views. She died during childbirth and her daughter, Mary, longs to know her mother beyond her well-known writings. She, too, thinks outside the box, and soon takes up with the poet Percey Shelley.
I can’t imagine being a writer of someone whose own written words were so groundbreaking. There had to have been great pressure, as evidenced in Her Lost Words, as Mary Shelley struggles to create something groundbreaking in her own right. That result: Frankenstein, which created a whole new genre of literature, the science fiction novel.
Both Marys personal lives were complex, and maybe that’s what drove them to rise above society’s norms for women and do what many only dreamed of doing: making a name for oneself with a lasting legacy.
gay_for_jay's review
I really did not connect with this book. There was nothing that drew me in and ultimately I had to DNF it.
lorireads2much's review
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
michellehenriereads's review
5.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.
Genre: Historical Fiction (with a dose of romance)
Content Warnings: Opens with abuse
Format: Dual POV in two time periods
Sure, I knew who Mary Shelley was, but I didn't know anything about her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneer of women's rights during the Enlightenment. HER LOST WORDS follows these two women, their transformation, and how their work changed the world. The author, Thornton, makes a good compare and contrast of their lives for us to draw parallels to our day.
I was absolutely fascinated. And ended up loving both timelines.
In addition to feminism and ideal of equality, this story reveals the women's love lives. The tragedies and losses. The hoped for affection. And even the growth of unexpected love. I was quite surprised at how things worked out. Especially with Jane (Mary Shelley's stepmother..)
One of the key elements that makes this book so interesting is that Mary Shelley never knew her mother. Mary Shelley's desire to know her mother better led her decisions in many ways.
Both Marys lived during a time of strict social censure against women expressing their thoughts or being valued outside of motherhood and as a wife. It's curious to see how much has changed and yet, how much we still judge other women for their choices. (And I'm sure I'm as guilty of this as the next person.) But further, society still has expectations for women that are not present for men. The author does a wonderful job of helping the reader to find those parallels as well.
As you read this book, consider monsters. Who are the monsters? What do monsters do? How did Mary's life bring her to write FRANKENSTEIN. This is a book you're going to see in book clubs—I guarantee it.
I felt like the women were friends I could talk to over dinner instead of women from the past. That's something I love about historical fiction.
And author notes are always part of my favorite things about historical fiction. They're a must-read.
Yes! I recommend this book.
Happy reading!
Genre: Historical Fiction (with a dose of romance)
Content Warnings: Opens with abuse
Format: Dual POV in two time periods
Sure, I knew who Mary Shelley was, but I didn't know anything about her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneer of women's rights during the Enlightenment. HER LOST WORDS follows these two women, their transformation, and how their work changed the world. The author, Thornton, makes a good compare and contrast of their lives for us to draw parallels to our day.
I was absolutely fascinated. And ended up loving both timelines.
In addition to feminism and ideal of equality, this story reveals the women's love lives. The tragedies and losses. The hoped for affection. And even the growth of unexpected love. I was quite surprised at how things worked out. Especially with Jane (Mary Shelley's stepmother..)
One of the key elements that makes this book so interesting is that Mary Shelley never knew her mother. Mary Shelley's desire to know her mother better led her decisions in many ways.
Both Marys lived during a time of strict social censure against women expressing their thoughts or being valued outside of motherhood and as a wife. It's curious to see how much has changed and yet, how much we still judge other women for their choices. (And I'm sure I'm as guilty of this as the next person.) But further, society still has expectations for women that are not present for men. The author does a wonderful job of helping the reader to find those parallels as well.
As you read this book, consider monsters. Who are the monsters? What do monsters do? How did Mary's life bring her to write FRANKENSTEIN. This is a book you're going to see in book clubs—I guarantee it.
I felt like the women were friends I could talk to over dinner instead of women from the past. That's something I love about historical fiction.
And author notes are always part of my favorite things about historical fiction. They're a must-read.
Yes! I recommend this book.
Happy reading!
alwaysellana's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
missywinesalot's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jkonczak's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5