Happy Deathday, Mrs. Shelley!

On this day in 1851, esteemed Frankenstein writer, Mary Shelley died of brain cancer. She was 53 years old.

Who would have guessed that Frankenstein, published anonymously in 1818 to unfavorable critical reception, would become a classic of literature, that is recognized the world over!?! For no one can doubt the significance that this novel has had on our popular culture, art and human psyche.

Shelley was, of course, the wife of the famous Romantic writer Percy Bysshe Shelley and so, was in common friendship with fellow writers John Keats and Lord Byron.

To say that her life was tragic, would certainly be something of an understatement. Only one of her three children survived childhood, her sister was known to be her husband’s mistress and even became pregnant by him. Not to mention, she survived her husband, who drowned at the age of 29! She herself, was plagued with ill health until she finally succumbed to what is thought to be a brain tumor at the relatively young age of 53.

It is unfortunate that more people are not aware of Shelley’s other writings, as they are quite good and certainly worth a read if you are a fan of her rich, gothic style. in fact, one of our favorite works by Shelley, apart from her masterpiece, is her science fiction novel, Last Man, published in 1826. If you’ve not read this apocalyptic treasure, we’ll not spoil it here… suffice it to say, that the characters are almost certainly semi-biographical and based off of people that were in Shelley’s social circle.  She also wrote a large amount of historical novels, short stories and poetry.

Today… think about Frankenstein’s monster…a creature who was created to be both, a warning about the fearsome power of modern science and a nod to the responsibility of a creator to his creations. If you were to rewrite this classic tale… given the times we are living in, what would your monster be comprised of? And how would your monster fare when flung into this world without guidance?

And of course, do not forget to pay your respects to the wonderfully talented, though too often overlooked, Mary Shelley.

Write on in peace, Mrs. Shelley!

A Day in Lowell with Kerouac’s Ghost

One of our long time contributors, Lucas Lammott, recently visited Lowell, Massachusetts, which is the hometown of Jack Kerouac. We cannot think of a better way to ring in the New Year! He took some great snaps, which he allowed us to repost here. Enjoy!

Kerouac was born on 9 Lupine Road in the West Centralville section of Lowell Massachusetts, 2nd floor.

Lowell High School where JK was a football star that got him a scholarship to Columbia University.

Jack Kerouac later referred to 34 Beaulieu Street as “sad Beaulieu”. The Kirouack family was living there in 1926 when Jack’s big brother Gerard died of rheumatic fever at the age of nine.

The grave site of Jean-Louis “Jack” Lebris de Kerouac

Late afternoon rest stop at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus downtown Lowell. If you ever get a chance to visit Lowell, you should! It is an eerie place… rich in culture, history and… ghostly inspiration.  And if you live in Boston… you have no excuse not to go spend a day in Lowell. Thanks, Lucas, for sharing your day with us!

Happy Deathday, Ms. Brontë!

On this day in 1848, English novelist, Emily Brontë, died of tuberculosis at the age of thirty.

Emily, of the famed “Brontë Sisters”, was the middle sister and the author of the novel, Wuthering Heights, published in 1847. Tragically, this is the only novel published by the young writer, although she did pen several poems , often under the alias of Ellis Bell.

Wuthering Heights, which is now widely regarded as a classic of English Literature, was actually written well over two years before it was finally published a year before Brontë’s untimely death. And it was only printed after the overwhelming success of her elder sister’s novel, Jane Eyre.

The novel has been parodied in popular culture, adapted, dramatized and even alluded to in popular music! Clearly, Ms. Emily Brontë left her literary mark! If you’ve never read this gothic novel of romance, drama, humor and vengeance… you really must add it to your holiday reading list!

Today, why not try your hand at a bit of drama? Star crossed lovers, back stabbing best friends… you get the idea.

Write on in peace, Ms. Brontë!

Happy Deathday, Ms. Wheatley!

On this day, in 1784, Phillis Wheatley, the first prominent black poet in the United States of America, died from unspecified causes at the age of 31, followed shortly after by her infant son.

Born in Gambia, Wheatley was made a slave at age seven. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston. Thankfully, this family taught her to read and write, and always encouraged the young girl to write poetry.

The 1773 publication of Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral was a big success and was the first book to be published by a black American. She was emancipated by her “owners”, following her poetic success, but chose to stay with the Wheatley family until the death of her former master.

She was a strong supporter of American independence, which is quite obviously reflected in both poems and various plays she wrote during the Revolutionary War.

It is a terrible tragedy that she died so young and impoverished. The statue pictured above can be seen along Boston’s famous Commonwealth Avenue. Sadly, her grave, which can be found at Copps Hill Burying Ground in Boston, was left unmarked.

But her mark upon the face of African-American literature cannot be denied. The fact that this woman had to appear in a court to defend her literary ability before her first work was even published, just to prove she had written it, is a grim reminder of a very dark piece of American history. But it should also serve as a beacon of hope for those out there right now who are struggling to be recognized, to be heard. Follow your dreams and never falter from them. For more biographical information on Wheatley, check out this website!

Today, think on your own freedom. Are you truly free? Have you taken this for granted? Write about what gives you hope. What inspires freedom within you? What does it mean… to be truly free?

Write on in peace, Ms. Wheatley!

Happy Deathday, Mr. Wilde!

“This wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has to go”

             

Happy Deathday, Mr. Dahl!

On this day in 1990, beloved children’s author Roald Dahl died from a blood disease at the age of 74. Apparently, Dahl was buried with his snooker cues, burgundy wine, chocolates, HB pencils and a power saw… we don’t know about you, but we cannot think of a better way to go out.

Mr. Dahl is responsible for some of the most loved children’s books of our time. To name just a few; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The Witches and of course, James and the Giant Peach. Some other titles that we enjoy in his extensive collection of work, include Danny the Champion of the World, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, The Twits  and his 1953 collection of short stories, Someone Like You.

Nobody’s childhood is complete without reading at least one of the aforementioned titles! To find more biographical information on this remarkably talented author and his lasting legacy, please visit his official website!

Pick out one of your favorite Dahl stories today and read it to a youngster… or perhaps seek out someone young of heart to read it with.  Trust us, there’s magic in those pages! We also hope you will take a minute to remember to stop by Roald Dahl’s MARVELOUS CHILDREN’S CHARITY. 

Write on in peace, Mr. Dahl!