TYPORAMA
***********
HER LOST WORDS is a riveting novel about two literary legends discovering each other and finding themselves along the way.
Thornton shines a new light on Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley and transforms the unreachable literary legends into living, breathing people—a mother and daughter who never got the chance to know one another in person, but whose bond transcended time.
*************
*************
PRAISE FOR HER LOST WORDS:
“A stunning homage to two legendary women writers—Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley—Her Lost Words is
a poignant and page-turning work of historical fiction. Stephanie Marie
Thornton’s ability to bring historical women to life for the reader is
unparalleled as she chronicles their passions, struggles, and legacy
with impeccable research and emotional resonance. An extraordinary
read!"—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Our Last Days in Barcelona
"A
beautifully crafted, spellbinding, heartbreaking tale of a mother and
daughter whose paths tragically cross for only a handful of days—but who
share the same passion, creativity, and thirst for understanding the
depths of the human heart. This novel is a masterpiece I won’t forget,
an ode to motherhood, to love, and to two brilliant women who changed
the world with their words. One of the best historical fiction books of
the year, and one that I’ll be thinking about for a long time to come."—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
"Stephanie
Thornton delivers a stunning historical fiction with lyrical prose and
vivid description that reveals the lives of Mary Shelley and her mother,
Mary Wollstonecraft - both women of talent and intellect who seek equal
rights in a world dominated by men. Set amid a cast of literary names
we all recognize and love, Her Lost Words, is sure to be a reader favorite."—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Librarian Spy
"I
could not turn these pages fast enough! The dual tales of Mary
Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley are brilliantly interwoven by Thornton,
whose prose sparkles with wit and wisdom about literature, romance, and
family. The Marys are heroines for their time and ours, remarkable women
with independent hearts and minds, true inspirations to anyone who
dreams of making the world a better place."—Kerri Maher, national bestselling author of The Paris Bookseller
“As passionate and fiercely intelligent as its protagonists, Her Lost Words is a fitting tribute to two women whose literary achievements reshaped the world….Brilliant.”—Shelf Awareness
“Thornton
deftly maneuvers through her subjects’ lives in alternating chapters,
highlighting the ways both women defy expectations regarding marriage,
motherhood, and women’s roles in society. Readers who enjoy sweeping,
emotional biographical fiction about iconoclastic women will be hooked.”—Booklist
"Stephanie
Thornton once again delivers a compelling story of two women ahead of
their time, bound by their words and their blood. Though Mary Shelley
lost her mother Mary Wollstonecraft at birth, she had her feminist
writings to sustain and shape her. One would be hard pressed to find two
stronger or more significant female writers and both are brought back
to life with elegant prose and wisdom under Thornton’s skillful hand,
making her one of my favorite historical novelists.”—Renée Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces
“Immersive,
elegant, engaging--readers will savor the details of this fascinating
account of the making of two brave, brilliant women--mother and
daughter--who defy the odds as authors and early feminists."—Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of Strangers in the Night
"What
a vibrant, immersive portrait of two brilliant women! Both highlights
as well as humanizes the Marys' extraordinary achievements. A timely
inspiration."—Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author ofPortrait of a Scotsman
“A
novel that explores the relationship between mothers and daughters and
the human condition, Thornton grips our hearts with prose on love and
loss, grief and survival, and the power of art and expression to heal
our very souls. An extremely moving and enlightening novel that is an
absolute must read!”—Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop
“Thornton
brings a sense of urgency to the women’s inner lives, as well as a fair
amount of insight into their work. Much has been written about the
authors, but Thornton does justice to their singular lives.”—Publishers Weekly
“Thornton
writes lyrically about the two Marys, and readers will sympathize,
deeply, with their struggles to find their own paths.”—Library Journal
"An
extraordinary work of historical fiction, weaving together the journeys
of two brilliant thinkers and writers who lived and wrote with a daring
that was centuries ahead of their time.... Thornton never disappoints,
with that perfect blend of fine scholarship and creative flair that
brings her characters, their work, their loves, and their losses vividly
to life."—Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance
“A
powerful and sympathetic account of two extraordinary women who fought
to influence how 18th century politics and society regarded the roles of
women. Stephanie Thornton doesn’t merely breathe life into Mary
Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley, she brings them blazing
onto the page with all their ideals, flaws, and passions. No matter
where the chapters are set – in England, Italy, or the terrors of the
French Revolution -- this masterful narrative is hard to put down.”—Janie Chang, bestselling author of Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends
"A
stunning novel about two towering real-life heroines, mother and
daughter. Thornton brings Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley to
vibrant life as women of searing intelligence and creative power, who
make mistakes, take terrible risks, defy society and love immoderately. I
feared for them, cried for them, admired them, and will be haunted by
them. Thornton's research is meticulous, and her writing is a delight. I
loved it and recommend it most highly."—Maggie Brookes, author of Acts of Love and War
**PRAISE TAKEN FROM
BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE**
************
ABOUT HER LOST WORDS:
The story: From A Vindication of the Rights of Woman to Frankenstein, a tale of two literary legends—a mother and daughter—discovering each other and finding themselves along the way, from USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Marie Thornton.
1792. As a child, Mary Wollstonecraft longed to disappear during her father’s violent rages. Instead, she transforms herself into the radical author of the landmark volume A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, in which she dares to propose that women are equal to men. From conservative England to the blood-drenched streets of revolutionary France, Mary refuses to bow to society’s conventions and instead supports herself with her pen until an illicit love affair challenges her every belief about romance and marriage. When she gives birth to a daughter and is stricken with childbed fever, Mary fears it will be her many critics who recount her life’s extraordinary odyssey…
1815. The daughter of infamous political philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, passionate Mary Shelley learned to read by tracing the letters of her mother’s tombstone. As a young woman, she desperately misses her mother’s guidance, especially following her scandalous elopement with dashing poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Mary struggles to balance an ever-complicated marriage with motherhood while nursing twin hopes that she might write something of her own one day and also discover the truth of her mother’s unconventional life. Mary’s journey will unlock her mother’s secrets, all while leading to her own destiny as the groundbreaking author of Frankenstein.
A riveting and inspiring novel about a firebrand feminist, her visionary daughter, and the many ways their words transformed our world.
************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
FROM
AUTHOR'S GOODREADS PAGE
Many people are unaware that the author of Frankenstein is the daughter of the author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, and any reader with a love of literature or feminist history will become immediately intrigued by the connection.
************
