Publisher's Synopsis
Valperga is a historical novel written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, published in 1823. Set in the 14th century, the story follows the struggle for power between two Italian cities, Pisa and Florence. The novel is divided into two parts, each with its own protagonist. The first part focuses on Castruccio Castracani, a military commander and ruler of Lucca, who seeks to expand his power and territory. The second part centers on the Countess of Valperga, Euthanasia, who is torn between her loyalty to her city, Pisa, and her love for Castruccio. Throughout the novel, Shelley explores themes of power, politics, love, and betrayal. She also incorporates elements of the supernatural and Gothic literature, with ghostly apparitions and eerie landscapes. The novel is notable for its strong female characters, who challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. Valperga was one of Shelley's early works, written before her more famous novels, Frankenstein and The Last Man. It received mixed reviews upon its publication, with some critics praising Shelley's writing style and others criticizing the novel's plot and structure. However, it remains an important work in Shelley's oeuvre and a fascinating exploration of power and politics in medieval Italy.His fancy only paused, when he would force it to adorn with beauty vice, death, and misery, when disguised by a kingly robe, by the trappings of a victorious army, or the false halo of glory spread over the smoking ruins of a ravaged town. Then his heart sickened, and the banners of triumph or the song of victory could not drive from his recollection the varieties of death, and the groans of torture that occasion such exultation to the privileged murderers of the earth.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
