Mary Shelley and the Modern World

Posted by Pete Shanks September 22, 2010
Biopolitical Times

Joanne Rendell has written a remarkably good novel that touches on several of the issues that concern us at CGS. Out of the Shadows is largely narrated by Clara Fitzgerald, a historian of science whose high-flying fiancé, Anthony Greene, is researching longevity genes and of course promoting a start-up, with "big investors."

Meanwhile Clara is obsessed with researching Mary Shelley, to whom her family has always claimed a relationship. (Early on, Clara's DNA is tested against a lock of Mary's hair ...) And woven into Clara's story is Mary's coming-of-age story, from childhood to her elopement with the poet. The balance between the two women almost 200 years apart is neatly handled, and the looming shadow of Frankenstein -- more precisely, of our knowledge of the myth that Mary would later make -- informs and illuminates the 21st-century tale.

There is plenty of plot, which will not be spoiled here. Suffice it to say that there is conflict, romance, dirty deeds (Carl Elliott's New Yorker piece on Guinea-Pigging gets an acknowledgment), generosity and character development. Rendell's third published novel, Out of the Shadows is a very fast read, but its implications will linger.

Previously on Biopolitical Times: