Galena LitFest: A Picnic with Mary Shelley: The Intricate Riddle of Life

The historic author of classic novels will be brought to life on Sunday, May 22 at 11 am in the Grant Park Pavilion during a performance entitled, “Mary Shelley: The Intricate Riddle of Life.” Tickets include a picnic lunch from Galena Bakehouse.

Mary Shelley was the daughter of the social revolutionaries William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, wife of romantic poet Percy Shelley, and mother of Frankenstein and his monster. But beneath the sweeping romantic tale of love unbound by societal convention and a life of travel, is the truth; abandoned, disowned, betrayed, wounded by the deaths of her husband and children, and besieged by creditors. The performance will call on Mary Shelley in the spring of 1848. She is financially secure at last, her most recent book has been well received, and her only living son is on the verge of marriage.

The script is researched, written, and performed by Debra Miller, who has delighted many Galena LitFest audiences with her one-woman plays featuring important historical figures such as Jane Austen, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Beatrix Potter, and Agatha Christie. She is passionate about bringing historical women into the light with her performances which she creates from primary documents such as letters, journals, and writings by the women themselves.

Tickets can be purchased  at https://galenapubliclibrary.eventbrite.com or at the front desk of the library and include a picnic lunch from Galena Bakehouse. Lunch choices include meat, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Coffee, tea, water, and other beverage options will be available on site at no extra charge.

Galena LItFest is in its seventh year of bringing authors and literary programming to Galena. After two years of the January festival taking place entirely in the virtual space, 2022 is the first year an outdoor spring event is being offered. The festival is sponsored by the Galena Public Library, the Friends of the Galena Public Library, and private donors.

Any questions about Galena LitFest or adult programming at the Galena Public Library please contact, adult services librarian Larissa Distler at 815-777-0200 or distlerl@galenalibrary.org.