Byron in Italy

by Peter Quennell

Very good condition

Genres: Biography, Italy, Poetry

Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

Reviews

[Paul Wilner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully narrated, deeply informed account of the wild man of Europe's failing days. That said, I think it's dated (written in 1941), vastly overestimating the importance of Byron as a poet - better seen as a celebrity, he'd be at home today with Kanye and the like, and in the process condescending to his betters, prominently including Shelley (and even Keats, in passing). He is not shy about identifying Byron's shortcomings, including an odious episode in which the poet libeled Shelley (too long a story to get into, a confession blurted out late at night which softpedaled his own role in spreading a false rumor - Shelley, typically, rose above it). But...great, sardonic portraits of Leigh Hunt, Trelawney, Gordon's various inappropriate mistresses, and the whole, insane, hypersexualized and high-flown scene. Highly recommended, even though I disagree with the author's basic premise.

[Celeste]

Che libro nefando. Divertentissimo.
Da leggere al pranzo di Natale per costringere i parenti alla resa.

[Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

beatifully written but definitely old style, so a little hard to follow at points.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

more fun than the Bloomsbury bunch