Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: Out of the Shadows
Author: Joanne Rendell
Publisher: NAL
ISBN-13: 978-0-4512-3112-3
Release Date: September 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 1800’s/England (and) Present Day/NYC
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: None/Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Joanne's Website/Blog: www.joannerendell.com
Dear Readers:
This author does a wonderful job of carrying two extremely intricate and mysterious storylines in this fantastic, "can’t put down," novel. One of the storylines involves a young woman by the name of Mary. When we first meet her, she is five and a half years of age and sitting on her father’s lap listening to a frightening story. One of her father’s friends is telling a tale of the effects of electricity on a corpse; he recites the image of the criminal almost coming back to life. This story sticks with Mary as she grows up…to say the least. We are also introduced to Mary’s stepmother, who always seems more than a little upset and jealous that her husband cares far more for Mary than anyone else. Mary’s own mother – a fantastic and innovative writer during her time – has passed away. Thankfully, however, young Mary received her literary talents.
In Present Day New York, we meet Clara. Clara is an outstanding academic who spends her days reading scientific manuals and learning all she can about Darwin. She is a huge fan of his and is also a writer who put together the ultimate biography on the man. She lives with and is engaged to Anthony, one of the smartest men on the planet whose major discovery and Nobel Prize win is right around the corner. Anthony also wants to help her with her obsession. What obsession, you ask? The one Clara has with Mary Shelley, the famous writer of many novels, but most remembered for the classic story of, Frankenstein.
Clara’s mother had always told her and her sister through the years that they were related to this amazing woman, and Clara has been on the trail to prove whether or not her mother’s information was fact or fiction. With Anthony’s exploration into DNA, she is given the answer…
With the help of her polar-opposite sister – a waitress who has tried forever to trade her serving tray for movie stardom – get together and end up finding a woman named Kay who knows quite a bit about Mary Shelley. Kay is also a wonderful woman who is taken care of by a masseuse named Daniel. Clara ends up hanging around a great deal with Kay as they go through adventure after adventure to find information on the great Mary Shelley. Not only does this obsession take over Clara’s life, but she also notices that her boyfriend Anthony has been acting extremely strange lately.
Between the storyline that leads the reader through Mary Shelley’s hardships, battles, and a true love that will blow readers’ minds; and, the wonderful Clara and her investigation into her own DNA donor, as well as a fiancé who is has an extremely large secret himself, this novel is an absolute page-turner!
Until next time,
Amy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Amy know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews