Chapter 2

Elizabeth and I grew up together, almost the same age. We never fought or disagreed. Our differences in personality actually made us closer. Elizabeth was calm and focused, while I was passionate and deeply interested in learning, especially about how the world works. She loved poetry and the beauty of nature around our home in Switzerland, finding joy and wonder in the landscapes and seasons. I, on the other hand, wanted to understand the reasons behind everything we saw in nature. From a young age, I was driven by curiosity to uncover nature's secrets, feeling immense joy when I made discoveries.

When my parents had a second son, seven years younger than me, they decided to settle down in our homeland. We had a home in Geneva and a countryside house on Lake Geneva's shores. We spent most of our time in the peaceful countryside, which suited my preference for a few close connections over crowds. At school, I didn’t really connect with many kids, but I formed a deep friendship with Henry Clerval, a merchant’s son. Henry loved adventure and stories of knights and heroes, and he had a creative spirit, writing and making us act out plays based on his favorite tales.

I had an incredibly happy childhood, thanks to my kind and indulgent parents. I could see how special my family was compared to others, which made me very grateful and loving towards them. I had a quick temper and strong emotions, but I channeled my energy into a desire to learn—not just anything, but specifically the mysteries of the universe. I wasn’t interested in languages, politics, or states' governance. Instead, I wanted to know about the physical and spiritual world, the essence of things and of mankind.

Meanwhile, Clerval was more interested in people, the virtues of heroes, and human actions. He dreamt of being remembered as a hero. Elizabeth was like an angel in our home, full of love and kindness, making everyone around her better. Her presence kept my study-driven roughness at bay and encouraged Clerval’s generosity and kindness.

Reflecting on my childhood brings me joy, before sorrow changed me. These memories also lead to the story of how I later faced tragedy, as my early interests set the stage for my future obsession that would dominate my life.

My fascination with natural philosophy, which influenced my fate, started when I found Cornelius Agrippa’s book at 13. My father dismissed it as nonsense, but if he had explained why it was outdated and guided me towards modern science, I might have taken a different path. Instead, I dove deeper into ancient theories about alchemy and the secrets of life, feeling isolated in my studies but driven by an insatiable curiosity.

At 15, a dramatic thunderstorm and a conversation about electricity and galvanism shifted my interests. This new knowledge made my old obsessions seem less significant. I suddenly lost interest in natural history, viewing it as limited and turned to mathematics, seeking certainty and solid foundations for my intellect.

This shift felt like a protective spirit trying to save me from future disaster, bringing peace to my soul. But despite this positive change, fate had other plans for me, leading to inevitable destruction.