Mathilda


Read by Cori Samuel

(4.5 stars; 1600 reviews)

The finished draft of a short novel by Mary Shelley. Its adult theme, concerning a father's incestuous love for his daughter and its consequences, meant that the manuscript was suppressed by Shelley's own father, and not published until 1959, more than a hundred years after her death. (3 hr 57 min)

Chapters

Chapter 01 21:21 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 02 11:52 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 03 16:36 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 04 22:03 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 05 17:31 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 06 12:09 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 07 29:25 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 08 22:33 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 09 17:28 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 10 22:32 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 11 20:19 Read by Cori Samuel
Chapter 12 23:28 Read by Cori Samuel

Reviews


(4.5 stars)

I'm not sure what to say. loved the melodramatic emotional yet melancholy feel. nevertheless the overall theme left me very repulsed. why had Matilda herself, upon hearing her father's sick words, yet pursue him? it is clear even for in which the time it was set the subject was scorned and taboo. both herself and her father who suffered tremendous anguish and despair are certainly mentally ill. if the father were to have been replaced by a childhood playmate who then perished in any multitude of circumstances and left her alone to her own grievances I would have given this 10 out of 5 stars. it is just so elegantly written. such a beautiful work but yet maybe too adult for my tastes. to the reader great job very smooth

I want to hate it, but I can't!


(5 stars)

The content is super creepy, but the writing is beautiful! The personal voice of Mathilda is beautiful.

Wonderful narration!


(4 stars)

This was written through Mary Shelley's own depressive period after losing her children. Her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died after giving birth to her. Woodville seems obviously designed after Percy Shelley, Mary Shelley's husband. All these points are interesting as they reveal some of her thought process, but I find that Mathilda having all the peculiar symptoms that specifically follow sexual trauma (guilt, shame, depression, isolation, feeling of worthlessness, suicidal fantasies and so on) very intriguing. Nothing actually physical happened, but whether it be put down to her upright propriety with strict morals, or whether the author just decided to dramatize her pain as she herself was going through emotional turmoil, I have no idea. However, it's worth noting that the worst of her pain came from her father's death, and not his professed love. I only put 4 stars because I still find this a bit too emotionally dramatized/indulgent, and the style of writing is too ramble-y for my taste/patience.

This Reading of a Great Story Displays the Meaning of Gestalt


(5 stars)

A HUGE Bravo-- To Cori Samuel for the mesmerizing reading that you gave this spellbinding story. Shelley + spooky story + Cori Samuel = Masterpiece Hands down the most enthralling reading of a story I've ever heard!!

Good but overlong


(3 stars)

Astonishing topic, especially for the time. However it is excessively wordy and repetitive. Written in an almost poetic style, it is deeply indulgent, teenager-level angst, grief, overthinking and soaring romantic delight. I persisted because of the topic and the wonderful reading.

An emotional struggle.


(4 stars)

In truth I found that my interest waned a little over half way through. As always excellently read by Cori, thank you.


(5 stars)

Mary Shelley was so far ahead of her time! The story is scandalous, and heartbreaking. The reader has an amazing voice.

Magnificent reading of a magnificent work


(5 stars)

Many thanks for this magnificent and utterly captivating reading of a wonderful work