Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Stephanie Hemphill

Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Stephanie Hemphill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this historical fiction novel in verse about Gothic novelist, Mary Wollstencraft Shelley famous for writing, Frankenstein for my July twitter chat (books with unique formats) with #yearofya on 7/25 at 8PM EST. Stephanie Hemphill's novel in verse was both enlightening and exciting- Mary flees her unhappy life with her love, already married Percy Shelley (famed Romantic) poet and leaves her family horrified she would do such a thing. Mary's resilience, wit and all encompassing knowledge kept her by Percy's side as they wrote, read and discussed all matters with other famous writers of the time. But she was also hemmed in by the norms of the time - her novel did not bear her name, and later she was excluded from being a part of the literary circle she came to love. I loved all the material Stephanie Hemphill included at the end - Author Acknowledgments talked about Mary, gothic novels & the enduring nature of Frankenstein. A synopsis of the characters (Mary's family & community)in Hideous Love, A Time Line of Books by Mary Shelley, Suggested Further Reading. I think I am going to try to read Wicked Girls also for this chat, love the Salem Witch Trials!!!

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