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🏚️ Gothic

Proserpine & Midas

Name: Proserpine & Midas
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781479211128

✍️ Mary Shelley

Reader Score

4.2

(2 reviews)

$9.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of two dramatic plays by Mary Shelley based on classical myths.

This edition compiles two short plays written by Mary Shelley. She is known for Frankenstein and her role in promoting Percy Bysshe Shelley's work. The text includes Proserpine and Midas, both rooted in Greek mythology. The first play deals with the goddess Proserpine and her time in the underworld. The second addresses King Midas and his golden touch. These works reflect the Gothic tradition she helped define. The publisher released this version in 2012. It offers a glimpse into her dramatic output alongside her famous novels.

Key Themes

Gothic fiction classical mythology dramatic scripts

Literary Context

Mary Shelley lived from 1797 to 1851. She was an English writer during the Romantic period. Her parents were William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. She edited works by her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Mary Shelley

📚 all books by this author (292) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

William Godwin · Gothic drama

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Gothic

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2012 📖 94 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781479211128

📝 Description: Proserpine & Midas

Mary Shelley wrote Proserpine & Midas, drawing on her background as a novelist and dramatist. Her father was William Godwin, and her mother was Mary Wollstonecraft. She edited works by her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was a Romantic poet and philosopher. This edition presents her dramatic pieces for readers interested in Gothic fiction and supernatural themes. The book contains two distinct plays. The first focuses on the myth of Proserpine, exploring themes of abduction and seasonal change. The second play centers on Midas, examining greed and divine punishment. Shelley uses classical sources to reinterpret these ancient stories through a gothic lens. The text is organized as a collection of dramatic scripts rather than a novel or essay. This volume suits readers who enjoy short dramatic works by Mary Shelley. It appeals to those studying the influence of her parents on her writing. Readers seeking long novels or modern horror may find this format less engaging. The content remains faithful to the Romantic period style established by her husband and her own earlier works.

💎 Our verdict on Proserpine & Midas

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Readers seeking long novels or modern horror styles will likely find this format less engaging. The content remains faithful to Romantic period style, which may feel distant to those preferring contemporary narratives. However, for students of literature and fans of Gothic fiction, the text serves as a vital historical document. It highlights Shelley’s role in promoting her husband’s work while establishing her own voice in drama. Those looking for straightforward plot-driven horror might be disappointed by the script format and mythological focus. It is a niche but valuable resource for understanding the broader context of her literary contributions.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for readers deeply interested in the dramatic works of Mary Shelley and those studying the profound influence of her parents, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, on her writing. It offers a unique glimpse into her capacity to reinterpret ancient Greek myths, specifically the abduction of Proserpine and the greed of King Midas, through a distinctively Gothic perspective. Scholars and enthusiasts of Romantic literature will appreciate how these scripts complement her famous novel Frankenstein, showcasing her versatility beyond prose. The collection provides valuable insight into the supernatural themes and stylistic choices that defined her era, making it a pertinent addition for anyone exploring the intersection of classical mythology and early horror fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Seekers of Gothic drama and classical myth adaptations will delight in Shelley’s unique theatrical voice. However, those craving modern scares or lengthy prose narratives should look elsewhere, as this collection offers short scripts rooted in Romantic tradition rather than contemporary horror…

Reader rating

4.2

Based on 2 reviews

Victor C.

August 29, 2026

This has been on my wishlist for months. Slow burn, but the burn is the point. A couple of the side characters are thinly drawn. Good, with the caveats above.

❓ Frequently asked questions

This is strictly a collection of dramatic scripts. You will find two distinct plays rather than a continuous narrative, making it ideal for readers who appreciate theatrical structure over traditional prose fiction.

Her lineage deeply informs the work. The texts reflect her father’s philosophical interests and her mother’s feminist undertones, while also echoing Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Romantic ideals, creating a unique fusion of political and supernatural commentary.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the shadow of her famous parents, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, Shelley carved a distinct niche within Gothic literature. This volume captures her transitional period between her husband’s Romantic philosophy and her own mature style, reimagining classical myths like abduction and greed through a supernatural lens that bridges Enlightenment rationalism and Victorian dread.