Book cover of Mary's Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein

Book description

The dark, captivating story of one remarkable young woman. And her monster.

Creative genius...? Inventor of science fiction...? Pregnant teenage runaway...? Who was the real Mary Shelley?

Mary's Monster is the compelling and beautifully illustrated story of Frankenstein's author Mary Shelley - the original rebel girl and an inspiration for…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Mary's Monster as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Holy moly, what a beautiful book. Take a look at Lita Judge’s social media just to absorb her varied and stunning artwork. Then pick up this title about a teenage Mary Shelley and dive in. The novel is written in free verse, with over three hundred black-and-white watercolor illustrations, the kind of thing I sometimes have to force myself to stop and absorb. But with these, I happily took my time, enjoying the art as a full part of the storytelling, which is spare, beautiful, and begging to be gobbled up. 

If you love Mary's Monster...

Book cover of Authentically Dead

Authentically Dead by Julie Kusma,

A hair-raising, side-splitting supernatural adventure!

In the idyllic town of Pine Port, Kelsey was on the cusp of realizing her dreams. In weeks, she'd clasp her high school diploma and beauty license. Or so she thought, until her life took a supernatural detour, far removed from the ordinary path she'd…

Want books like Mary's Monster?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Mary's Monster.

Browse books like Mary's Monster

Book cover of Lonesome Dove
Book cover of The Remains of the Day
Book cover of All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

164

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Mary's Monster, you might also like...

Book cover of India Muerte and the Ship of the Dead

India Muerte and the Ship of the Dead by Set Sytes,

India Muerte and the Ship of the Dead is the first book in a pirate fantasy adventure series, featuring the thrilling exploits of India Muerte in an exotic yet dangerous world.

After a night of misadventure, a roguish street lad from Mexico Island wakes up aboard a legendary ship crewed…

Book cover of Touching the Surface

Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini,

When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she can't remember her past, is getting the cold shoulder from her best friend, and has no idea why she keeps repeating the same mistakes across her previous lives. Elliot just wants to move on, but first, she'll be forced to…

5 book lists we think you will like!