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Thursday, October 15, 2015

Review/Giveaway: The Determined Heart: The Tale of Mary Shelley and Her Frankenstein by Antoinette May

The Determined Heart

Frankenstein lives on as one of the most fascinating fictional creations of all time, but the true personal story of the women behind this work of genius is equally as compelling.

In her new historical novel, The Determined Heart: The Tale of Mary Shelley and Her Frankenstein (Lake Union Publishing; September 29, 2015), New York Times bestselling author Antoinette May brings to life the tragic story of obsessive love, betrayal, and redemption that spawned an enduring classic. In a story more dramatic and tragic than anything a writer could invent, the lives of Mary Shelley, her great love, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and her complex web of family and friends entwine in a chronicle of strange behavior, bohemian attitudes, and unconventional acts as far ahead of their time as the amazing literary work that grew from them.

Mary Godwin Shelley was the daughter of two revolutionary thinkers—political philosopher William Godwin and philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. An unconventional childhood in an intellectual, if impecunious household would shape the young girl’s renegade spirit. When still a teenager, she ran off with the already-married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, an act of equal parts passion and defiance that led to a life of wandering destitution. Espousing free love, the couple would endure its share of tragedies, each of which would add to their romantic legacy. From the darkness that surrounded her life, though, the brilliant and talented Mary imagined a timeless work of fiction that secured her place in history, if not her happiness.

 The Determined Heart is a masterful work of historical fiction that reanimates the timeless story of an iconic literary life.

“Epic in scope, this is a beautifully written novel about a woman whose story is every bit as extraordinary and gripping as that of the epic character she created, Frankenstein. May’s meticulous research and exquisite prose shine on every page.” —Erika Mailman, author of The Witch’s Trinity and Woman of Ill Fame

“May displays a deft flair for historical fiction…” –BookList on Pilate’s Wife, A Novel of the Roman Empire

Paperback: 410 pages
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (September 29, 2015)

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paperback received as part of tour

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Confession time, I didn't realize Frankenstein was written by a woman (never read it).  Published in 1818, I didn't think that women were able to get anything published, even if anonymously. So this book was not just entertaining but educational at the same time. 

If there is one sure way to grab a readers attention, especially mine, this book had it.  Start with a young girl who's mother perished giving her life, mix in a little scandal and The Determined Heart had me right from the beginning.  With a famous mother, who was also a writer, this book revolved around books, whether writing them, selling them, essentially all things literary.  

The writing style was engaging and her character development was nice.  It wasn't hard to connect with Mary and her older sister Fan but once the stepmother and stepsister showed up things changed.  It would have been nice if there was a little more depth at times to some of the interactions as I didn't exactly feel the emotional connection in the romance department - whether it be between Mary and Percy and those involving Clara (the stepsister).  

One thing about HF is you can't change history, you can modify it a little to make for interesting reading though.  Case in point Claire/Clara, I didn't like her, she was demanding, immature and extremely inconsiderate not to mention annoying.  Whether she was like that in history I don't know, but if it was the authors intent to portray her that way, she did a spot on job of that.

All in all I really enjoyed this book, very happy to have read it.  I love learning about lesser known figures in history and this fit the bill perfectly.  Frankenstein is already loaded on my kindle.

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I have one copy up for grabs (US and Canada addresses only).  Just leave a comment below, maybe tell me about a book you think I might like, have you read Frankenstein or what you are reading these days.  Contest closes Oct 26th.

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Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble


Unknown-4Antoinette May is the author of Pilate’s Wife and The Sacred Well and coauthor of the New York Timesbestseller Adventures of a Psychic.

 An award-winning travel writer specializing in Mexico, May divides her time between Palo Alto and the Sierra foothills.

 

 Antoinette May’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Tuesday, September 29th: FictionZeal
Tuesday, September 29th: The Lit Bitch
Wednesday, September 30th: BookNAround
Thursday, October 1st: From L.A. to LA
Friday, October 2nd: Guiltless Reading
Monday, October 5th: It’s a Mad Mad World
Wednesday, October 7th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Thursday, October 8th: Outlandish Lit
Monday, October 12th: A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, October 13th: A Literary Vacation
Wednesday, Otcoter 14th: Mom in Love with Fiction
Thursday, October 15th: Just One More Chapter
Monday, October 19th: Reading Reality
Tuesday, October 20th: Mom’s Small Victories
Wednesday, October 21st: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Friday, October 23rd: Romantic Historical Reviews
Monday, October 26th: Bibliophilia, Please
TBD: Books a la Mode – author guest post

6 comments:

  1. I've never read Frankenstein either and was tempted to pass on this one. But based on your review, it sounds like Frankenstein isn't a major part of this book, and the book sounds pretty good. So I think I'd like to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. I haven't read Frankenstein but would enjoy this fascinating novel. Thanks for this great feature and interesting giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. I hope you enjoy reading Frankenstein as well! Thanks for being a part of the tour!

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  4. I would love to read this book. I am so fascinated by Mary Shelley. Your review is great. I enjoyed it also.

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  5. I've been looking forward to this novel's release so would love to win a copy. I read Frankenstein as an English major, and it impressed me then -- and still does -- as a real masterpiece that holds its own with the other great novels written in our language over the course of the last few centuries. Shelley was a genius...IMHO. Cheers, Kara S

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  6. It's true that you can't change history, and while historical fiction is fiction, some of the people and places described are well-researched by good authors and it does make it more interesting than those old boring history lessons we had back in high school.

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