Valperga

Valperga is a historical novel written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, the author of the famous gothic novel, Frankenstein. The novel is set in Italy during the Middle Ages and follows the story of Castruccio, a young nobleman who seeks to unite the Italian city-states under his rule. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Euthanasia, the Countess of Valperga, who is torn between her loyalty to her people and her love for Castruccio. The novel explores themes of power, love, betrayal, and the struggles of individuals caught in the midst of political turmoil. The story is told through multiple perspectives, including Castruccio, Euthanasia, and other characters who are affected by their actions. Valperga is a compelling historical novel that showcases Shelley's talent for storytelling and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and relationships.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.