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fabricatesoup's review against another edition
4.5
I loved this, quite a contrast to the darker material Shelley usually gravitates towards. However, as with most of her work, this story feels so intwined with her life, and there is an inescapable edge of tragedy to a story of a parent reuniting with their long believed dead child, written by a woman who lost three children herself.
shelgraves's review against another edition
Quotable:"In the fine evenings they would sail out to sea in the old fishing boat; they did not fish, for they did not like to give pain to, and to destroy animals, but they would observe the dancing waves, and the rocky shores; and if they stayed out long after sunset they saw how the stars came out one by one till the whole sky was covered with them."
sarahcoller's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this quite a bit more than I thought I would. I've never really enjoyed Frankenstein, which has made me never care much for more from Mary Shelley. However, my interest in her companions was slightly raised when I visited Byron's Newstead Abbey in 2016 and learned about Percy, Claire Clairmont, Allegra, and others. I was offered this book by a fellow reader friend and decided to set aside my prejudices and give her another try.
I read the first few pages, up to 13 where there are spoilers to the story of Maurice. Then I skipped ahead to the "Author's Original" version of the story on page 119 (this volume contains the story in two forms) then I went back and finished Tomalin's commentary from pages 13-65, finishing with the poem about Percy on pgs. 155-159.
I enjoyed the short biography of Shelley and friends just as much or more than the story of Maurice but was a bit intrigued by that short story as it was very reminiscent of one I'd read recently. Elizabeth Goudge's Gentian Hill also takes place on Torquay and the "big mystery" is eerily similar. In fact, if it wasn't established in this book that Shelley's short story was only discovered in 1997, I'd be sure that Goudge used it as inspiration for her novel. One of life's great mysteries, I guess...
I read the first few pages, up to 13 where there are spoilers to the story of Maurice. Then I skipped ahead to the "Author's Original" version of the story on page 119 (this volume contains the story in two forms) then I went back and finished Tomalin's commentary from pages 13-65, finishing with the poem about Percy on pgs. 155-159.
I enjoyed the short biography of Shelley and friends just as much or more than the story of Maurice but was a bit intrigued by that short story as it was very reminiscent of one I'd read recently. Elizabeth Goudge's Gentian Hill also takes place on Torquay and the "big mystery" is eerily similar. In fact, if it wasn't established in this book that Shelley's short story was only discovered in 1997, I'd be sure that Goudge used it as inspiration for her novel. One of life's great mysteries, I guess...
tempestades_y_belleza's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
captainladybee's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
booksbythewindow's review against another edition
For full review: https://booksbythewindow.wordpress.com/2022/03/23/maurice-or-the-fishers-cot/
Summary: The edition of Maurice I read is divided into three sections: an Introduction by Claire Tomalin, explaining the verification of the manuscript and Shelley’s history with the Mason family; an edited version of Maurice; and a copy of the original text with Shelley’s notes and corrections. The Introduction is fascinating in itself as it first takes the reader through the process of Tomalin and other Shelley experts confirming that this was indeed the lost manuscript of Maurice. The story of Maurice itself is also divided into three sections: Part 1 is a short exchange between a traveller to Torquay and an inn landlady about a young boy who lives in the town; Part 2 is from the perspective of the boy himself, Maurice, as he decides what to do now that the old couple he lived with have died; and Part 3 returns the reader to the traveller’s perspective as he sits down to tell his own story to Maurice.
Overall Thoughts: Maurice is a small story of dramatic personal coincidences that is told with great economy as the traveller gradually reveals his connection to Maurice. Shelley is very deliberate with what she reveals at different points in the story, allowing the reader a small glimpse into Maurice’s life in Part 1, filling out this history in Part 2, but then subverting this by the revelation that Maurice himself is not as aware of his own circumstances and history as the reader has been led to believe. It has to be said that the resolution of the story is convenient, but since this is a story for children it does not feel too out of place. It did not take long to read this very short story but I did enjoy it and I definitely did not see the twist coming as I read.
Summary: The edition of Maurice I read is divided into three sections: an Introduction by Claire Tomalin, explaining the verification of the manuscript and Shelley’s history with the Mason family; an edited version of Maurice; and a copy of the original text with Shelley’s notes and corrections. The Introduction is fascinating in itself as it first takes the reader through the process of Tomalin and other Shelley experts confirming that this was indeed the lost manuscript of Maurice. The story of Maurice itself is also divided into three sections: Part 1 is a short exchange between a traveller to Torquay and an inn landlady about a young boy who lives in the town; Part 2 is from the perspective of the boy himself, Maurice, as he decides what to do now that the old couple he lived with have died; and Part 3 returns the reader to the traveller’s perspective as he sits down to tell his own story to Maurice.
Overall Thoughts: Maurice is a small story of dramatic personal coincidences that is told with great economy as the traveller gradually reveals his connection to Maurice. Shelley is very deliberate with what she reveals at different points in the story, allowing the reader a small glimpse into Maurice’s life in Part 1, filling out this history in Part 2, but then subverting this by the revelation that Maurice himself is not as aware of his own circumstances and history as the reader has been led to believe. It has to be said that the resolution of the story is convenient, but since this is a story for children it does not feel too out of place. It did not take long to read this very short story but I did enjoy it and I definitely did not see the twist coming as I read.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Reading this, I found it hard to believe that this came from the same mind that had created 'Frankenstein'. This was a story written to amuse a child and the introduction, taking up a great deal more space between the covers than the story itself, goes at length to provide the context for it, but I couldn't get excited about it.
This is perhaps unfair, but it was dull. So very, very dull.
A man visits a seaside town, sees a funeral procession, and is struck by the image of a beautiful child. A villager is more than happy to provide that child's backstory. Down to his living in a remote cottage by the sea, and how he's all alone. It was a different time.
I was reminded of 'Roverandom', a forgotten story found in family archives, indifferently presented for publication by the author and then forgotten about. This has some academic interest, and its very short, that's all I can say as a recommendation.
This is perhaps unfair, but it was dull. So very, very dull.
A man visits a seaside town, sees a funeral procession, and is struck by the image of a beautiful child. A villager is more than happy to provide that child's backstory. Down to his living in a remote cottage by the sea, and how he's all alone. It was a different time.
I was reminded of 'Roverandom', a forgotten story found in family archives, indifferently presented for publication by the author and then forgotten about. This has some academic interest, and its very short, that's all I can say as a recommendation.