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caris96's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read enough Wollstonecraft now to say that she is one of my favourite authors. She isn’t without her flaws of course, but the breadth of her talents range from philosophical and political works, to novels, and of course, to travel letters like these.
But just as interesting and inspiring as her writing is, I find the character of Mary and her life just as much so. Godwin’s memoirs are a large reason for this, and I must say, Holmes’ introduction was a great supplement. Through all three pieces, we’re given a sensitive account of the challenges Mary faced throughout her life: her struggles with depression and suicide, her loss of friends through death, the cruelty of profiteering men, and her ultimate passing due to illness after the birth of her daughter, later to be Mary Shelley.
I felt the anguish that William felt when he cried, “This light was lent to me for a very short period, and is now extinguished forever!” (273). If only she were allowed to shine longer.
However, the achievements and positive impacts of Mary’s life cannot be overstated. An ardent feminist, she stood on equal footing to and publicly challenged the likes of Burke and Rousseau. She was admired by Thomas Paine and, while I wouldn’t say she was a socialist, certainly came to resent class inequality and the soullessness of profit-motive, as is evident in her travel letters.
“A man ceases to love humanity, and then individuals, as he advances in the chase after wealth; as one clashes with his interest, the other with his pleasures: to business, as it is termed, everything must give way; nay, is sacrificed; and all the endearing charities of citizen, husband, father, brother, become empty names” (193).
I believe Mary was perhaps a casualty of the heteronormative bias in historical scholarship that Kit Heyam and numerous other queer history scholars criticize. Her sexuality is portrayed, by herself and her biographers, as queer at the least, and this is best embodied in her intimate relationship with Fanny. Yet, this aspect of her life is frequently glossed over (seemingly for avoiding speculation). Regardless of how Mary would have described herself, and it isn’t for us to say, her radically non-heteronormative political and romantic life deserves recognition.
I’ve never felt so closely connected and familiar with a classic writer than I do with Mary Wollstonecraft, thanks to the care that all of the authors of this publication take in telling her story. A truly empowering woman.
But just as interesting and inspiring as her writing is, I find the character of Mary and her life just as much so. Godwin’s memoirs are a large reason for this, and I must say, Holmes’ introduction was a great supplement. Through all three pieces, we’re given a sensitive account of the challenges Mary faced throughout her life: her struggles with depression and suicide, her loss of friends through death, the cruelty of profiteering men, and her ultimate passing due to illness after the birth of her daughter, later to be Mary Shelley.
I felt the anguish that William felt when he cried, “This light was lent to me for a very short period, and is now extinguished forever!” (273). If only she were allowed to shine longer.
However, the achievements and positive impacts of Mary’s life cannot be overstated. An ardent feminist, she stood on equal footing to and publicly challenged the likes of Burke and Rousseau. She was admired by Thomas Paine and, while I wouldn’t say she was a socialist, certainly came to resent class inequality and the soullessness of profit-motive, as is evident in her travel letters.
“A man ceases to love humanity, and then individuals, as he advances in the chase after wealth; as one clashes with his interest, the other with his pleasures: to business, as it is termed, everything must give way; nay, is sacrificed; and all the endearing charities of citizen, husband, father, brother, become empty names” (193).
I believe Mary was perhaps a casualty of the heteronormative bias in historical scholarship that Kit Heyam and numerous other queer history scholars criticize. Her sexuality is portrayed, by herself and her biographers, as queer at the least, and this is best embodied in her intimate relationship with Fanny. Yet, this aspect of her life is frequently glossed over (seemingly for avoiding speculation). Regardless of how Mary would have described herself, and it isn’t for us to say, her radically non-heteronormative political and romantic life deserves recognition.
I’ve never felt so closely connected and familiar with a classic writer than I do with Mary Wollstonecraft, thanks to the care that all of the authors of this publication take in telling her story. A truly empowering woman.
alexsiddall's review against another edition
4.0
Wollstonecraft's thinking was so far ahead of her time in many ways. this is fascinating on several levels. She gives a view of Scandinavia during the late 18th century, commenting on housing, transport, diet, childraising, social mores, industry, and many other things. She's very interesting on ethics in business and government, on social class and hypocrisy, and on education. Her ideas on social equality, crime and punishment, and population are decades ahead of her time, and in many ways ahead of much thinking even today.
I wonder if Patrick O'Brian read this - I think not. She mentions how Danish traders took advantage of neutrality by getting their unsaleable goods shipped and captured by the Royal Navy, so they could claim the cargo value back from the British government. This surely would have come up in one of the Aubrey-Maturin books if it had been known to O'Brian (or have I missed it?)!
I wonder if Patrick O'Brian read this - I think not. She mentions how Danish traders took advantage of neutrality by getting their unsaleable goods shipped and captured by the Royal Navy, so they could claim the cargo value back from the British government. This surely would have come up in one of the Aubrey-Maturin books if it had been known to O'Brian (or have I missed it?)!
lizardgoats's review against another edition
2.0
Only reading the first half, Mary Wollstonecraft's A Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
DISCLAIMER - I read this text as a set text for university meaning I did not pick this up for myself. It does not necessarily fit my usual reading selection so my review may be rather biased.
An interesting text that is both poetic and informative. The writing style describes beautiful places and moments in history as well as a personal story of travel and the feelings that go hand in hand with it.
I enjoyed the authors analysis of the cultures as well her more personal comments, that all surmounted in an interesting text that I wouldn’t have picked up myself. I’m unlikely to read again as it isn’t necessarily the kind of text you would read again but it was enjoyable.
An interesting text that is both poetic and informative. The writing style describes beautiful places and moments in history as well as a personal story of travel and the feelings that go hand in hand with it.
I enjoyed the authors analysis of the cultures as well her more personal comments, that all surmounted in an interesting text that I wouldn’t have picked up myself. I’m unlikely to read again as it isn’t necessarily the kind of text you would read again but it was enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt
vannau's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.0
flappermyrtle's review against another edition
3.0
I have read The Vindication for the Rights of Woman several times, and though as a modern feminist I cannot agree with all Wollstonecraft says, I always feel very strongly when reading it, and am convinced of Wollstonecraft's daring, intelligence and strength. Reading this collection of letters was, therefore, something of a disappointment.
As I described it to a friend, Mary Wollstonecraft suddenly turns out to be a sort of proto-Lady Catherine de Bourgh, commenting on everything, giving her opinion on everything (sometimes informed, sometimes not so much), and most of all strongly criticising all those around her. She still displays her intelligence when it comes to political matters and general reflections on matters of state both in the countries she visits and in England. These musings are interpolated with musings of the romantic kind, writing about the many majestic sights of Scandinavia, explaining what effects these have on her personally, praising the sublimity of the landscapes. What makes her a somewhat annoying narrator are the constant comments on the inhabitatns of Scandinivia, constantly comparing them to other Europeans and, of course, unfavourably setting them off against the English. She is positively unkind concerning these people, who host her and wish to show her their country, which is very disappointing.
Letters was Wollstonecraft's most popular text during her lifetime, and it certainly has interesting moments, nuggets of information that are exhilarating or thought-provoking. It does a fairly good job, I imagine, of sketching the political situation in the different countries and cleverly links certain outlandish practises to English customs, forcing the reader to re-evaluate their own opinions. It is a pity Wollstonecraft barely ever stops to do exactly that herself.
As I described it to a friend, Mary Wollstonecraft suddenly turns out to be a sort of proto-Lady Catherine de Bourgh, commenting on everything, giving her opinion on everything (sometimes informed, sometimes not so much), and most of all strongly criticising all those around her. She still displays her intelligence when it comes to political matters and general reflections on matters of state both in the countries she visits and in England. These musings are interpolated with musings of the romantic kind, writing about the many majestic sights of Scandinavia, explaining what effects these have on her personally, praising the sublimity of the landscapes. What makes her a somewhat annoying narrator are the constant comments on the inhabitatns of Scandinivia, constantly comparing them to other Europeans and, of course, unfavourably setting them off against the English. She is positively unkind concerning these people, who host her and wish to show her their country, which is very disappointing.
Letters was Wollstonecraft's most popular text during her lifetime, and it certainly has interesting moments, nuggets of information that are exhilarating or thought-provoking. It does a fairly good job, I imagine, of sketching the political situation in the different countries and cleverly links certain outlandish practises to English customs, forcing the reader to re-evaluate their own opinions. It is a pity Wollstonecraft barely ever stops to do exactly that herself.
dexterw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.75