Mary; Maria; Matilda
✍️ Mary ShelleyCurrently unavailable
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A collection of three novels by Wollstonecraft and Shelley exploring female alienation and scandalous family dynamics.
The text examines how two prominent literary figures used fiction to critique their society. It highlights the connection between Wollstonecraft’s early work on intellectual freedom and Shelley’s later, darker exploration of familial boundaries. The inclusion of Todd’s introduction provides context for understanding the double exploration of identity within these narratives. This approach allows readers to see the evolution of feminist thought from the mother to the daughter across different genres and time periods.
This 1993 publication brings together works originally published in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It situates Wollstonecraft, a key figure in feminist history, alongside her daughter Shelley, linking their literary legacies through shared thematic concerns about women’s rights and personal autonomy.
📝 Description: Mary; Maria; Matilda
💎 Our verdict on Mary; Maria; Matilda
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers interested in the psychological depths of 18th and 19th-century domestic struggles will find profound value in this cohesive study of female experience. It offers a direct look at how Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter used fiction to examine sexuality and societal constraints. Those seeking to understand the evolution of feminist thought from mother to daughter across different genres will appreciate Janet Todd’s contextual introduction. The collection serves as a vital resource for understanding how these prominent literary figures critiqued their society by portraying intellectual women navigating restrictive environments. It is essential for anyone studying the suppression of women’s voices or the raw depiction of personal conflict within Gothic literature.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Bought this for my brother and ended up reading it first. Print is comfortable for late-night reading. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly. Belongs in any working kitchen.
A friend from my book club recommended it. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. A couple of the side characters are thinly drawn. Solid, if not essential.
Grabbed it for a long flight. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. Already eyeing my next order.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Seekers of dark, psychological Gothic tales and academic enthusiasts of early feminist literature will find depth here. However, if you crave lighthearted romance or easy escapism, avoid this collection entirely. Its unflinching examination of trauma, societal oppression, and scandalous family dynamics is heavy, dense, and intentionally disturbing rather than entertaining.
📜 Historical context
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📖 From the series “Penguin Classics”
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✍️ More books by this author Mary Shelley
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🏛 Books from this publisher Penguin Classics
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