The Monster’s Wife by Kate Horsley
This speculative sequel to Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is concerned with themes such as Science versus Nature, Power and Persecution, Altruism versus Selflessness. Horsley examines the notions of Life and Death and asks Who are the real Monsters? Her work acts as exploration of the tantalising question: What would have happened if Shelly’s Creature had got to meet his mate?
The depiction of a Scottish Isle was photographic in effect and packed with a scientific level of detail. The strenuousness of living, the physical hardship, came across. The writing felt both microscopic and very naturalistic. Having said this, in turns, the opposite could also be true, the language could feel visceral and poetic, charged with atmosphere and suspense.
Loved the blending of the mysterious disappearance of one character with the realisation that the Protagonist is dead.
This is the meditation upon Shelly's ‘Frankenstein’ I wish I had written.
Middlemarch by George Elliot
Just blown away by this Masterpiece!
The lives of all who live in Middlemarch touch each other and interweave. Theme is important as it asks, how we are to reconcile the gulf between our reality and our ideals. How we may set ourselves on a path of purposefulness in spite of our trials.
There is so much to be said about this work …
I loved the way the reader’s focus was led through the novel via a cinematic gaze, moving outwards from close examinations of inner consciousness, to perspective - shifting external locations in a way that felt truly modern. I loved the depth of character psychology which was then shown to us scenically, played out dramatically. It all felt so detailed and true, this is a novel to be re-read for sure. You know how nowadays writers are told to cut down on exposition? Well, I could read George Eliot’s exposition all day long.
Just Amazing!