Love and Fury: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft

by Samantha Silva

Hardcover, 2021

Status

Available

Publication

Flatiron Books (2021), 288 pages

Description

"Midwife Parthenia Blenkinsop has delivered countless babies over the course of her career, and when she arrives at Mary Wollstonecraft's door, everything appears normal. But after the baby girl is delivered, the women will spend the next harrowing days together, fighting for the survival of both mother and daughter. Over those eleven days, Mary Wollstonecraft recounts the life she dared to live amidst the impossible constraints and prejudices of the late 18th century, rejecting the tyranny of men and marriage, risking everything to demand equality for herself and all women. She weaves her riveting tale to keep her fragile daughter alive and give her a reason to fight, even as her own strength wanes. Wollstonecraft's urgent story of loss and triumph forms the heartbreakingly brief intersection between the lives of a mother and daughter who will change the arc of history and thought for centuries to come. In radiant, emotionally gripping prose, Samantha Silva delivers an ode to the dazzling life of Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the world's most influential thinkers and mother of the famous novelist Mary Shelley. But at its heart, Love and Fury is a story about the power of a woman reclaiming her own narrative and passing along that legacy to her daughter"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Beamis12
In the past month I've been luckier in my audio book choices than in my print endeavours. This was a fascinating if sad story about the mother, a feminist in her own right, of the author of Frankenstein. Mary Wollstonecraft is about to give birth to her daughter Mary, and her midwife, Mrs. B., in
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an effort to take her mind off her travails, tells her to narrate her story to her about to be born child. In alternating chapters we hear from the midwife and we learn of Mary's story.

Knew little of her life, such a sad one, full not pain and anguish, cruelty, but despite this she found ways, and a few good men to advise and educate. She died singling, but despite such a short life, she accomplished much. Women had so few choices then, depended on the providence of their husbands, stuck so often in miserable lives, unable to support themselves and their children, if they should leave. Mary learned from her mother's life and vowed to never marry. Although near the end of her life, she does marry, this book explains why she made this choice. A story that needed to be told.

Wonderfully written and narrated by Ell Potter.
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LibraryThing member maryreinert
This is a fictionalized account of the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, the mother of Mary Shelly. Set in England and Paris, Mary rebelled early. Her father was abusive; her mother weak. She soon realized that the life of a woman was almost entirely ruled by men.

The story is told in backflashes as
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Mary lies dying after the birth of her second child. In alternate chapters with the midwife, the back story of each woman emerges. Mary was a brilliant writer and thinker and had no worries about upsetting the mores of society. She developed a deep friendship/love with another woman who died early. Mary worked to help support her sisters and the family of her friend.

In Paris she fell in love with an American and had his child. Still her struggles continued.

The setting of the book is interesting as are many of the real historical characters; however, I'm not sure about the method of telling - particularly her reference to "my little bird" so constantly referring to her new born daughter (Mary Shelley). Her philosophy is so "up front" and at times takes over from the story. Ok read, - just not great.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I listened to the audiobook and I do wonder if I would have enjoyed reading a print version more. I find Mary Wollstonecraft fascinating and this novel covers her life and journey as a woman and writer. I liked this book, but I've read others about Mary and overall I liked those more.

Language

Original language

English
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