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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
ashkitty93's review
3.0
Beautifully written, as I'm used to from Stephanie Thornton's work, but the various inaccuracies I noticed took me out, which was disappointing. I seem to prefer my historical fiction one of two ways: either with a lot of blank space and thus ample area to (plausibly) fictionalize to your heart's content, or sticking as close to the facts as one can with one or two major differences for plot purposes. This book seems to fall into a deeper grey area than I usually like.
I think Abigail's review covers a lot of the issues that came up for many of us in the Historical Fictionistas group. I also think a content warning at the beginning would have been beneficial, as I wasn't expecting to barely step foot into the story before domestic violence was flung at me.
Overall a deeply sad, painful story on both ends.
Nicely narrated by Grace Gray and Hannah Curtis.
I think Abigail's review covers a lot of the issues that came up for many of us in the Historical Fictionistas group. I also think a content warning at the beginning would have been beneficial, as I wasn't expecting to barely step foot into the story before domestic violence was flung at me.
Overall a deeply sad, painful story on both ends.
Nicely narrated by Grace Gray and Hannah Curtis.
shankl's review
3.0
This novel is the story of two literary icons, Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, Mary Shelley. To say I didn't get confused with two main characters named "Mary" would be an understatement. These women were truly ahead of their time. Thornton gives voice to their stories, bringing them to life for the reader.
I learned about two women in literature I had zero knowledge. While this book wasn't a perfect read for me, others I'm sure will love it and what it shares. While fictional, I am sure bits are true to the journey each took to transform the world with their words.
Thank you Berkey Publishing for the complimentary copy.
I learned about two women in literature I had zero knowledge. While this book wasn't a perfect read for me, others I'm sure will love it and what it shares. While fictional, I am sure bits are true to the journey each took to transform the world with their words.
Thank you Berkey Publishing for the complimentary copy.
bethpindilli's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
riseclare's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful story but very sad. Suggest not reading if you’re feeling depressed! Ms Thornton’s writing is always beautiful and I’m super impressed she managed to make the multiple different historical “Marys“ in this story clear on who was who! Well done!
kpearlman's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
imogensinklings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Blood, Miscarriage, Animal cruelty, and Child death
thebookwormadventures's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bookishlibrarian's review
3.0
In parallel narratives, Her Lost Words follows the lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, both accomplished writers and thinkers, and trailblazers for women. The author captured the constraints both women faced and the way they pushed back against them and imagined a different future both for themselves and all women. However, I wish it had included more of their writing lives--a lot of the focus was on their relationships/marriages, and it did feel repetitive at times. It definitely did make me want to revisit A Vindication and read Frankenstein for the first time.