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)

Chapters

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

Reviews

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.