Books Should Be Free
Loyal Books
Free Public Domain Audiobooks & eBook Downloads
Search by: Title, Author or Keyword

The Love Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft to Gilbert Imlay   By:

Book cover

"The Love Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft to Gilbert Imlay", edited by Roger Ingpen, presents a captivating collection of intimate correspondence that explores the complex relationship between two remarkable figures in history. Mary Wollstonecraft, a renowned feminist and philosopher, pours her heart and soul into these letters addressed to Gilbert Imlay, an American businessman and adventurer.

Ingpen's meticulous editing brings forth a deeply personal and candid portrayal of Wollstonecraft's emotions, struggles, and desires. Through her evocative words, we witness the peaks and valleys of her relationship with Imlay unfold before our eyes. The passion and intensity present in these letters offer a raw and unfiltered insight into the complexities of love, commitment, and the challenges faced by women during that era.

Wollstonecraft’s letters eloquently depict her intellectual prowess and immense capacity for love. Her words oscillate between moments of fervent affection, longing, and poignant loneliness, effectively capturing the depth of her emotional journey. The letters offer a rare glimpse into the vulnerabilities of a woman not only struggling with her love for Imlay but also grappling with her place in a society where her ideas and independence were often met with resistance.

Ingpen's editing serves as an invaluable guide through this collection, providing helpful contextual information, insightful footnotes, and occasional annotations to augment our understanding. His attention to detail, while ensuring the preservation of Wollstonecraft's original voice, establishes a seamless reading experience.

One of the book's strengths lies in the exploration of the universal themes of longing, heartbreak, and resilience that transcends time. Wollstonecraft's struggles to reconcile her passion for Imlay with her own intellectual and emotional independence resonate with readers, even in a contemporary setting. The complexity of her emotions and her unwavering commitment to her own principles offer a deeply relatable experience.

Though it would have been beneficial to include more context regarding Imlay's side of the correspondence, Ingpen's focus on Wollstonecraft's letters and their transformation over time succeeds in creating a captivating narrative. The book not only provides a clear picture of the emotional trajectory of their relationship, but also highlights Wollstonecraft's growth as an individual, woman, and writer.

"The Love Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft to Gilbert Imlay" is a mesmerizing compilation that sheds light on the intellectual, emotional, and societal struggles faced by a pioneering feminist during the late 18th century. This collection is a testament to Wollstonecraft's intellectual brilliance, her capacity for deep love and vulnerability, and her unwavering commitment to her own ideals. Ingpen's thoughtful editing enhances the overall experience, making this book a must-read for those interested in the life and works of Mary Wollstonecraft, the history of feminism, and the complexities of love.

First Page:

The Love Letters OF Mary Wollstonecraft TO GILBERT IMLAY

WITH A PREFATORY MEMOIR By Roger Ingpen

ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS

Philadelphia J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY London: HUTCHINSON & CO. 1908

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT'S LETTERS

EDITED BY ROGER INGPEN

LEIGH HUNT'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Illustrated Edition. 2 Vols. A. CONSTABLE & CO.

ONE THOUSAND POEMS FOR CHILDREN: A Collection of Verse Old and New. HUTCHINSON & CO.

FORSTER'S LIFE OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH. Abridged. (Standard Biographies.) HUTCHINSON & CO.

BOSWELL'S LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON. Abridged. (Standard Biographies.) HUTCHINSON & CO.

BOSWELL'S LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON. Complete. Illustrated Edition. 2 Vols. PITMAN.

[Illustration: Mary Wollstonecraft

From an engraving, after the painting by John Opie, R.A. ]

PREFACE

I

Of Mary Wollstonecraft's ancestors little is known, except that they were of Irish descent. Her father, Edward John Wollstonecraft, was the son of a prosperous Spitalfields manufacturer of Irish birth, from whom he inherited the sum of ten thousand pounds. He married towards the middle of the eighteenth century Elizabeth Dixon, the daughter of a gentleman in good position, of Ballyshannon, by whom he had six children: Edward, Mary, Everina, Eliza, James, and Charles... Continue reading book >>




eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook
• iBooks for iPhone and iPad
• Nook
• Sony Reader
Kindle eBook
• Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook
• Load eBook in browser
Text File eBook
• Computers
• Windows
• Mac

Review this book



Popular Genres
More Genres
Languages
Paid Books