Arguing with the Dead

In Arguing with the Dead, Mary Shelley reflects on her tumultuous past while haunted by the ghost of her husband's first wife, Harriet.

Set in the year 1839, Arguing with the Dead invites readers into the introspective world of Mary Shelley, the renowned author of Frankenstein. Living in solitude by the Thames in Putney, Mary finds herself sorting through the disarray of her late husband's papers. Each document serves as a portal to her tumultuous past, filled with memories of half-ruined Italian villas, a passionate yet stormy relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the heart-wrenching loss of her children. The narrative unfolds as she reflects on the complexities of her life, including the attempted kidnapping of her stepsister Claire's daughter, Allegra, from a convent in Florence.

As Mary delves deeper into her recollections, she confronts the specter of Harriet, Shelley's first wife, who has haunted her dreams. This ghostly presence symbolizes Mary's unresolved feelings and the sacrifices she made for love. The story takes a darker turn as Mary grapples with the implications of her past choices and the grief that has shaped her existence. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of love, loss, and the lingering shadows of those who have departed.

Arguing with the Dead is not just a historical account but an exploration of the emotional and psychological landscape of a woman burdened by her memories. Through Mary's reflections, readers are invited to ponder the price of love and the haunting nature of unresolved grief. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the past is never truly behind us; it lingers, waiting to confront us once more.