Frankenstein in Bath (sadly, not a happy tale)

Some days I write for fun and some days I write so I can think. The desire to explore and express flows out of my mind in ways I can't contain except by writing. It's a good thing I learned good typing skills in high school under Mrs. Stockamp. The other night I woke up with such clarity following the trail of a beautifully formed paragraph. I was certain I would remember its lovely phrasing, but by morning's light, it was gone like a remembered daydream that makes you smile as it vanishes. Artistic expression is ephemeral, capture or be captured. Unlike Paul McCartney, (Macca as he is known in England), who creates music by way of his dreams and remembers it, my dreams remain tightly locked in the deep space of dream experiences. Bath Authors

Reflecting on the famous writers who took refuge in this city I can only feel lucky that writing does not provide my meals and lodging. I’d be pickled like these ladies. I enjoy seeking out the hiding and writing escapes of so many of Bath's famous inhabitants. This week another chink in the armor opens for Bath tourism. It’s Bath Festival week and I took a Frankenstein tour. Mary's story is interesting so hang in there and follow the trail. Mary (Wollstonecraft Godwin) Shelley author of "Frankenstein or The Prometheus" Bath is known as the city of Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin’s time here was not well publicized until fairly recently. It is the city where she finished her novel Frankenstein. Ok so you might think it’s the Hollywood horror story we grew up with. The book is far different and I look forward to reading it after learning so much about her. Mary’s story doesn’t start out well and doesn’t end well either. Mary's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died from an infection 10 days after Mary's birth. Her mother was highly regarded as a famous defender of women's rights and her father William Godwin was a journalist and political philosopher whose liberal beliefs were significant to British literature. Percy Bysshe Shelley, Romantic writer, wooed 16 year old Mary away from her dismal life with wicked step-mother. He had a gorgeous face, spouted Romantic poems and liberal ideas. Good so far but there’s a catch, he was already married with 2 children. He convinced Mary that marriage wasn't as important as their union. Good lord, we can see it all coming. Our Frankenstein tour guide, Sheila, made the tour fun with her theatrics.

Mary arrived in Bath at 19 years young in 1816 with her son William. The year 1816 was known as the year without a summer due to the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Mount Tambora in 1815. Not a good sign for Mary. This is the largest recorded volcanic eruption affecting weather patterns for a year. Bad weather and storms were prevalent in all of Europe and England which now leads us to Switzerland. Where did the nucleus of Frankenstein come from? During the bad weather year on a trip to Geneva to visit Lord Byron, the guests were challenged to write a ghost story to fill in the boredom after being trapped indoors. 2 famous horror stories were created out of bored minds. One Frankenstein and the other, the basis for Dracula. Mary’s imaginative mind and the loss of her baby girl, prompted her to write a tale of rebirth. Subsequently after arriving in Bath, Mary attended a lecture at the nearby Bath Kingston Lecture room where a Dr. Wilkinson implied that one day electricity could be used to bring inanimate matter to life. Mary finished her book "Frankenstein or The Prometheus" at 5 Abbey Churchyard.

The displayed plaque acknowledges Mary’s time spent living in this building writing her novel. The room she rented has since been taken over by the Bath Spa Pump Room where you can taste Bath’s not so tasty mineral water. Our story continues. Philandering Percy Shelley’s pregnant wife drowns in a lake allowing them to be married. Marrying Percy doesn’t solve their problems. Mary loses 4 of her 5 children to disease, her step sister Fanny’s mysteriously dies by laudanum, she has lifelong health issues, lives in misery and poverty, a philandering Shelley doesn’t change, and the continual fight to be accepted as an female author is a story equal to Frankenstein's own struggle and story of acceptance. The Square and Reading Room where Mary spent her time researching and reflecting on her writings.

Mary’s book, The Prometheus, is considered literature's first sci-fi novel exploring the ethics of science over creation. Percy Shelley drowned at 29 years old off of Viareggio, Italy. His body was cremated but his “unusually small heart” wouldn’t burn. Mary Shelley is buried with Percy’s heart. Oh my. Our guide Sheila introduced us to the founding partner, Jonathan Willis, of the new exhibit opening in the end of June, House of Frankenstein https://houseoffrankenstein.com

About Town reading Ghost Signs Bath has so many original buildings imprinted with what are called Ghost Signs, early product marketing. The Circulation Library sign above where Mary researched reflects the signage as well.

Sign reads Asylum teaching young females household work. Are they learning it or did they end up there after all the household work?

Happy Ending

43 years ago I asked Youssef out on a date, best decision I ever made.