Following the story of an obsessive man whose determination to create a new race of humans produces monstrous results, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each part within the novel. Victor Frankenstein's scientific creation, a 'hideous and gigantic' monster that the good doctor tries to defeat throughout most of the novel. 'CliffsNotes on Frankenstein' digs into Dr. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format. Her writing became her grip on sanity, and Shelley never wavered from his belief in her creative genius - as she believed in his.The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. It was in Italy that they found their spiritual home, their 'paradise of exiles', but it was also there that the loss of her children nearly broke Mary's spirit. They moved constantly throughout England, Switzerland and Italy, escaping creditors, censorious families and ill health. Shelley was little help – his unconventional attitudes to love strained her devotion to its limits. During the nine turbulent years Mary and Shelley were together, Claire was the ever-present third, whose manipulative behaviour often drove Mary to despair. It was much harder to cope with her jealousy of Claire, her step-sister, who had run away with them and was also in love with Shelley. When she eloped with Shelley, Mary had been quite prepared to suffer condemnation from society. The novel was conceived in a contest with him and Lord Byron to tell ghost stories. By then, she had been living for two years in a scandalous relationship with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married with children.

Her desire of knowledge is great, and her perseverance in everything she undertakes, almost invincible.' Mary Shelley began Frankenstein in a thunderstorm in 1814, when she was eighteen. Almost Invincible A biographical novel of Mary Shelley 'She is singularly bold, somewhat imperious, and active of mind.

Almost Invincible by Suzanne Burdon