Book Review: Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton

“A riveting and inspiring novel about a firebrand feminist, her visionary daughter, and the many ways their words transformed our world.”

Goodreads blurb for Her Lost Words

Review:

Following the lives of both Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, Her Lost Words captures a transcendent bond between mother and daughter, even though they only had a few days together in their lifetimes. 

Mary Wollstonecraft finds her place as an author, writing against the societal norms set for women, particularly in regard to equality and marriage. She carries on affairs, but struggles with her ideals and the reality of the world she’s living in. Likewise, her daughter, who would eventually become Mary Shelley, shares similar ideals. She, too, sets out to forge her own path and is surprised when her father reacts negatively to her entanglement with Percy Bysshe Shelley. She longs for her mother during these days and wants to know all there is to know about her through her writings. 

I don’t know if this was the intention or not, but I found this book to present more of an argument against (some of) the ideologies both Marys stood for. In a lot of ways, both women had miserable existences that were largely the result of their own actions. I may be in the minority with this opinion, but regardless, my heart went out to them. Both women were intelligent and trailblazers in the world of literature. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The parallels between both of women’s lives.
• Wonderful writing.

What I didn’t like:

• I was definitely more interested in Mary Shelley’s story than Mary Wollstonecraft’s. I didn’t vibe with her at all.

Afterthoughts:

I’m surprised there isn’t more talk about this book!

Where to buy the book: