Title: Lord Byron’s Doctor
Author: Paul West
Date of First Publication: 1989
Place of Publication: Doubleday
Type: Novel
Characters: John Polidori; Lord Byron; Mary Shelley; Percy Shelley; Claire Clairmont
Themes: BYRONIC HERO; WOMEN WRITING MONSTERS
Critical Summary: The novel is a fictional recreation of what John Polidori, Lord Byron’s physician and traveling companion, would have written in his journal during his days by Byron’s side. Polidori had been commissioned to keep a journal of his travels with Byron, but the exact journal was never published. Polidori details his work as Byron’s physician, as well as Byron’s detached and often abusive treatment towards both Polidori and those around him (especially the women who are Byron’s bed partners, willing or not). As the novel progresses, Polidori details his life in Villa Diodati alongside Byron’s other companions, Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, and Claire Clairmont (Mary’s sister and Byron’s lover). Polidori praises Mary for her talent and for her ability to come up with something as diabolical as the story of the Creature and Victor Frankenstein. Towards the end of the novel, Polidori discusses his separation from Byron after he is dismissed as his physician and the subsequent downward spiral of his life, which is ultimately punctuated by his disgraced and lonely suicide.
The themes of the Byronic Hero and Women Writing Monsters are the most prevalent Frankenstein themes that can be found in this novel. The Byronic Hero theme is significant because the vast majority of Lord Byron’s Doctor is focused on Polidori’s musings about Byron, how Byron acts, and why he thinks Byron acts the way he does. He treats others coldly, sometimes even maliciously, and looks down condescendingly at those around him (especially Polidori). Yet, he is still devilishly charming and magnetic enough to captivate those with which he comes into contact (especially Polidori). Polidori also straightforwardly compares Byron to both Victor Frankenstein and the Creature several times.
The theme of Women Writing Monsters is not quite as prevalent as the Byronic Hero theme, but it is still present, especially during the scenes when Polidori and Mary are conversing. Polidori mentions Mary’s Frankenstein several times, and he praises her for her literary work and imagination. There is also another scene between Polidori and Mary where the two of them are discussing the creation of Frankenstein the novel. In the scene, Mary tells Polidori about an image she keeps thinking about that involves a creature, a passionate scientist, and the literal spark that animates said creature.
Administrative Notes: Pamela Ortiz-Luis Dimaano, CSUF; Alexandra Roman CSUF (editing)