We
are all fascinated by life after death. What happens to us? Science
cannot explain it any better today than it could in the beginning of the
last century. People were intensely curious and hoping for answers
during the time period of this book - 1918. After all, people were dying
in nearly all walks of life. This book was sobering in its gritty
portrayal of what life and death must have felt like. The writing was
just as eery as the tale of the supernatural. I got lulled into thinking
the story was one way, and then Winters would shoot off in a different
direction.
My favorite scenes were when Mary Shelley visits the
soldiers who were convalescing. It reminded me of so many of our
soldiers coming back today. What a terrible thing to have your whole
life ahead of you and to be struck down or maimed. These young men and
women who are returning from war deserve our compassion and respect just
as much as the men in this book. PTSD is not a new concept to those who
are affected by war. I am glad that Winters covers this in her book as
it is an important consideration when talking about treating the whole
person and not just the physical wounds.
This book also tackles
the importance of women who can think for themselves and does a good job
of showing the battle that women faced in the beginning of the
twentieth century. Mary Shelley is a great heroine who marches to her
own beat. She is quirky, smart and witty - all things that were frowned
upon in females.
This novel has so many themes running through
it that I think it would be an ideal group read for an English class. I
will definitely recommend this book to teen readers.
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