Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin by Elizabeth Robins Pennell is a fascinating biography that delves into the life of one of the most influential female writers of the Romantic era. Pennell meticulously examines Godwin's upbringing, relationships, and literary accomplishments, painting a vivid portrait of a woman who defied societal norms and paved the way for future generations of female writers.

Throughout the book, Pennell skillfully weaves together historical context with excerpts from Godwin's letters and diary entries, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the personal and professional struggles she faced. From her tumultuous relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley to her own literary achievements, Godwin's story is both captivating and inspiring.

Pennell's writing style is engaging and informative, making this biography a compelling read for anyone interested in the life and work of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin. By shedding light on Godwin's legacy, Pennell ensures that her contributions to literature and feminism are not forgotten.

Overall, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin by Elizabeth Robins Pennell is a well-researched and impeccably written biography that offers valuable insights into the life of a remarkable woman. Pennell's deep admiration for her subject shines through in every page, making this book a must-read for fans of Godwin and the Romantic period in literature.

Book Description:
"Few women have worked so faithfully for the cause of humanity as Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin [1759-1797], and few have been the objects of such censure...The young were bidden not to read her books, and the more mature warned not to follow her example, the miseries she endured being declared the just retribution of her actions." So begins this short, vivid biography of Mary Wollstonecraft by the American expatriate author, Elizabeth Robins Pennell. We read how Wollstonecraft's father, an unstable, irascible, and often violent alcoholic squandered his fortune and dragged his large family from lodging to lodging. Her mother, a rigid disciplinarian of her children, was his abject slave. A brilliant autodidact, Mary left a position as a governess and moved by herself to London, where she lived by translating and writing. In 1790 she became famous defending the French Revolution against the attacks of Edmund Burke in her "Vindication of the Rights of Man." This was followed in 1792 by her most influential work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." After becoming pregnant out of wedlock, she was deserted by her lover, Gilbert Imlay and attempted suicide. In 1797 she married William Godwin, but died of post-partum septicemia following the birth of her second daughter, the future Mary Shelley, author of "Frankenstein." - Summary by Pamela Nagami