Mary: A Fiction (version 2)

Mary: A Fiction, published in 1788, is a tragic story that decries marriages not based on love. It can be considered an example of feminist fiction.

Mary's parents are in a loveless marriage. As the second-born, female child, she is neglected; her education is self-directed from books, nature, and her own inclinations. Her inclinations, however, are towards genius and religion. Mary becomes the heiress of her parents' fortune when her brother dies. To keep the family property together due to litigation, her parents marry her to a boy she has never met. After the ceremony, he goes to the Continent, and Mary devotes herself to her weak, sickly friend, Ann.

She is disgusted with the thought of living with her husband - a weak, shallow man. Strong love for Ann, love for a "better" man, religion, and benevolence support Mary through a life on the run from conventional duty. - Summary by TriciaG (2 hr 44 min)

Chapitres

Advertisement (Preface)	2:24	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 1	7:02	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 2	7:43	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 3	4:30	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 4	7:35	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 5	8:36	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 6	4:04	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 7	3:34	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 8	2:39	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 9	6:51	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 10	1:43	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 11	7:11	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 12	2:50	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 13	4:12	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 14	4:13	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 15	3:41	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 16	10:26	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 17	2:03	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 18	8:59	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 19	6:21	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 20	7:07	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 21	2:11	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 22	3:40	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 23	7:42	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 24	8:00	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 25	7:16	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 26	3:36	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 27	6:54	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 28	2:02	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 29	4:52	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 30	3:08	Lu par TriciaG
Chapter 31	1:38	Lu par TriciaG

Critiques

terrible story

(3 stars)

prusc

I'm giving 3 stars for the reading, although it's a bit monotone, but the story itself is terribly written. it's an outline rather than a story. I'd skip this and just read her Vindication of the Rights of Women.

unsatisfactory ending

(3 stars)

okra

The language is interesting because it is written in the 18th century. The story is a compelling indictment of marriages made for the sake of family wishes rather than ordained by God. The end is just sad.