Short Story Review: "The Mortal Immortal" is a short, supernatural tale about a young man's confrontation with the perils of immortality and the limits of love. As with Frankenstein, Shelley investigates the boundaries of science (alchemy) and the fearful consequences of experimentation. She attempts to find the line where knowledge challenges the natural order and interferes with what is moral or human, and becomes a blessing and a curse. The irony being that in seeking longer life, one becomes removed from normal life. While inventive and engaging, Shelley develops no radical or startling response to these themes. As a fairy tale this would fall into the "be careful what you wish for" category. Notably, this Gothic tale has a contemporary setting with an emphasis on the psychological; Mary Shelley, ever imaginative. [3★]
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