Clairemont by Lesley McDowell (Wildfire, £9.99)
In Clairmont, Lesley McDowell crafts a richly evocative novel that will captivate anyone enamoured with the Romantic period. But even if you’re not well-versed in the literary world of Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, or Claire Clairmont, McDowell’s storytelling alone is enough to draw you in. Her prose is as compelling as the lives of these literary figures, making this a novel that transcends historical interest and simply demands to be read.
The story follows Claire Clairmont from the summer of 1816 at Lake Geneva, where she visits Lord Byron alongside her stepsister Mary Shelley and brother-in-law Percy Shelley. From that moment, the events of that fateful summer set the course of her life, and we follow her journey through the 19th century as she navigates its consequences. This is the story of a forgotten woman, overshadowed by the literary geniuses around her, those whose brilliance ultimately cost her a chance at happiness.
This historical fiction beautifully amplifies McDowell’s compelling narrative voice, poignant and deliberate in its depiction of Claire’s experiences and misfortunes. She tackles weighty themes such as motherhood, death, sex, loss, betrayal, and sisterhood with remarkable skill. Choosing to centre the novel on the “forgotten” Claire is a bold move; making the overlooked unforgettable is no easy feat but one McDowell achieves with apparent ease.
As a lifelong Frankenstein fan, I’ll admit my bias: but even as someone deeply invested in Mary Shelley, I found Claire to be a worthy and captivating protagonist. She is written with such depth that she never feels like a shadow of those around her. She stands on her own.
This book is meticulously crafted, with McDowell expertly weaving parallels across time. The novel moves between three pivotal years in Claire’s life – 1816, 1825 and 1843 – requiring a careful balance of revelation and restraint. She knows exactly what to unveil and when, ensuring the narrative unfolds with just the right amount of tension, even for those familiar with Claire’s history.
One of my favourite aspects of this book (and a personal guilty pleasure in most novels) is not romantic relationships, but the bonds between siblings. In Clairmont, the dynamic between Claire and her stepsister Mary is one of the most compelling parts of the story. The depth and complexity of their journey together highlight the struggles of sisterhood, which can sometimes outweigh even romantic love:
‘One woman, split into two…’
Their bond (though not one of blood but of circumstance) endures betrayal and disappointment in ways that chosen loves often cannot. Yet their relationship is deeply frayed by the men in their lives, a painfully real dynamic that still resonates today and deserves closer examination.
I would recommend this novel to those already captivated by writers like Mary and Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, William Godwin, and Mary Wollstonecraft. McDowell is acutely aware of their lives, their works, and the historical context surrounding them, weaving these elements seamlessly into Claire’s story, an essential aspect of the novel’s depth.
For instance, in 1816, the aftermath of a volcanic eruption cast Europe into storms and darkness (a phenomenon that famously contributed to the creation of Frankenstein and other literary masterpieces). McDowell doesn’t just acknowledge this; she lets the storm seep into the narrative, using it as a recurring motif that haunts the characters through eerie parallels and layers of pathetic fallacy.
Of course, this novel isn’t limited to a specific audience. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a reader who couldn’t appreciate McDowell’s skill in balancing a real-life story with narrative nuance. Without realising it, you absorb details of 19th-century European life, gaining insight into its culture and literary circles. More than that, you can feel McDowell’s passion for history and the depth of research she has poured into crafting such a compelling and immersive story.
I wholeheartedly recommend this gem to anyone willing to give it a go. Don’t be discouraged by the historical aspect: only a basic familiarity with these figures is needed (and even that isn’t essential, as McDowell does a fantastic job of keeping you informed). As for the drama, there’s no shortage of it so you’ll never find yourself losing interest.
Reading this, I now understand why McDowell felt compelled to tell Claire’s story. She may not have been a successful author herself, but she was an undeniable force in the lives of those around her, shaping history in ways many academics have overlooked.
Copies of Clairmont can be ordered from the Hungerford Bookshop or the Wantage Bookshop. If not in stock, they can generally be available for collection the following day.
Etienne Hawkins
(This review first appeared in Penny Post)