The first volume of Shelley's letters introduces us to her personality and thoughts, and offers an intimate look into the English literary world as it stood at the beginning of the 19th century.
It is through her voluminous letters and correspondences that we gain an intimate insight into Shelley's mental processes, opinions and outlook on life. Attempts were made by Shelley's son to censor and tone down her stark attitudes, so that she may be better accepted into the Victorian culture which fostered and grew her reputation. These letters are however produced without abridgment, allowing the reader a glimpse into the thoughts of one of the era's finest literary women.
Revered as the author of the timeless horror novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley would privately express frustrations at this single book eclipsing her other efforts in both fiction and non-fiction. She also possessed political views which she made pains to express via her written works, and was dismayed that most leading critics of the day either ignored or simply missed these references in her fiction.
Although the odds were stacked against Mary Shelley from her earliest years simply because of her gender - a fact which she was all too aware - her letters demonstrate a determination and strength of spirit. Her correspondences with Percy in particular evidence a soul capable of passions great and bold, while several of her views on emancipation and individual liberty were startlingly ahead of their time.
Biographical annotations by Florence Ashton Marshall are situated between many of the letters within this book. These explain what events transpired between the individual letters, letting the reader better follow what Shelley alludes and refers to. Thus, this collection of Shelley's letters is immensely readable, absorbing and insightful.
