My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark 504 - Eyeball Territory
Oct 30, 2025
Dive into the gloomy summer that inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, exploring her radical family background and early losses. Discover the chaotic gatherings at Lord Byron’s villa, where a writing contest sparked the creation of Gothic classics. The chilling effects of the Year Without Summer and a tragic pregnancy loss fueled Mary’s creative vision. Reflect on the complex themes of abandonment in her iconic novel and celebrate Mary’s enduring legacy in the literary world. Perfect for Halloween, this tale beautifully blends grief and creation.
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Volcano Triggered A Global Climate Crisis
- Mount Tambora's 1815 eruption caused global climate chaos, creating 1816's "Year Without a Summer."
- The volcanic winter produced crop failures, famines, and disease outbreaks worldwide.
Mary's Life Framed By Maternal Loss
- Mary Shelley grew up with deep grief after her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died days after childbirth.
- That lifelong loss shaped her themes of maternal absence and creation in Frankenstein.
Teenage Elopement With Percy Shelley
- Mary met Percy Bysshe Shelley in London and they eloped amid scandal when she was 16.
- She became pregnant, they traveled Europe together, and Percy encouraged her writing despite the controversy.
