Mary Shelley, beyond Frankenstein

There is much more to Mary W. Shelley than Frankenstein. Hers was a passionate life, a rebellious and strong individuality. Something nearly compulsory for anyone living in the early 1800s. Aside from her most popular book, she is also responsible for other works, many worth remembering.

After Percy Shelley’s death in Italy in 1822, she devoted herself to promoting the poet´s work, and became her tireless editor. Shelley, who had been her physical and intellectual love. Along with that, she would enlarge her own work with numerous essays and stories. We can recall The Last Man (of 1826), among other writings.

Her life was proactive. A powerful self. As an essayist and thinker she was not unworthy of her father, philosopher Godwin, and her mother, feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary Shelley is one of the most fascinating figures of a fascinating age.

It has been in recent decades that her intelectual and literary brilliance has shone again.  The past is full of figures to rescue. Some of them from absolute oblivion. Others, like Mary, from a relative oblivion.

From the overwhelming weight of a single one of his works. Like Conan Doyle, who was also devoured by one of his creatures. The task of the critic and the historian must do justice to those valuable men and women from the past, restoring their life and work. So we, readers of the present, will feel their presence again and hear their voices.