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A review by booksbythewindow
Maurice, or the Fisher's Cot: A Tale by Mary Shelley
For full review: https://booksbythewindow.wordpress.com/2022/03/23/maurice-or-the-fishers-cot/
Summary: The edition of Maurice I read is divided into three sections: an Introduction by Claire Tomalin, explaining the verification of the manuscript and Shelley’s history with the Mason family; an edited version of Maurice; and a copy of the original text with Shelley’s notes and corrections. The Introduction is fascinating in itself as it first takes the reader through the process of Tomalin and other Shelley experts confirming that this was indeed the lost manuscript of Maurice. The story of Maurice itself is also divided into three sections: Part 1 is a short exchange between a traveller to Torquay and an inn landlady about a young boy who lives in the town; Part 2 is from the perspective of the boy himself, Maurice, as he decides what to do now that the old couple he lived with have died; and Part 3 returns the reader to the traveller’s perspective as he sits down to tell his own story to Maurice.
Overall Thoughts: Maurice is a small story of dramatic personal coincidences that is told with great economy as the traveller gradually reveals his connection to Maurice. Shelley is very deliberate with what she reveals at different points in the story, allowing the reader a small glimpse into Maurice’s life in Part 1, filling out this history in Part 2, but then subverting this by the revelation that Maurice himself is not as aware of his own circumstances and history as the reader has been led to believe. It has to be said that the resolution of the story is convenient, but since this is a story for children it does not feel too out of place. It did not take long to read this very short story but I did enjoy it and I definitely did not see the twist coming as I read.
Summary: The edition of Maurice I read is divided into three sections: an Introduction by Claire Tomalin, explaining the verification of the manuscript and Shelley’s history with the Mason family; an edited version of Maurice; and a copy of the original text with Shelley’s notes and corrections. The Introduction is fascinating in itself as it first takes the reader through the process of Tomalin and other Shelley experts confirming that this was indeed the lost manuscript of Maurice. The story of Maurice itself is also divided into three sections: Part 1 is a short exchange between a traveller to Torquay and an inn landlady about a young boy who lives in the town; Part 2 is from the perspective of the boy himself, Maurice, as he decides what to do now that the old couple he lived with have died; and Part 3 returns the reader to the traveller’s perspective as he sits down to tell his own story to Maurice.
Overall Thoughts: Maurice is a small story of dramatic personal coincidences that is told with great economy as the traveller gradually reveals his connection to Maurice. Shelley is very deliberate with what she reveals at different points in the story, allowing the reader a small glimpse into Maurice’s life in Part 1, filling out this history in Part 2, but then subverting this by the revelation that Maurice himself is not as aware of his own circumstances and history as the reader has been led to believe. It has to be said that the resolution of the story is convenient, but since this is a story for children it does not feel too out of place. It did not take long to read this very short story but I did enjoy it and I definitely did not see the twist coming as I read.