15 - Zastrozzi, A Romance by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Would Julia of Strobazzo‚s heart was reeking on my dagger!‚ From the breathless tension of its opening abduction scene to the darkly triumphant exit of the villain, who departs with a wild convulsive laugh of exulting revenge,‚ this first Gothic novelette by Shelley weaves together the threads of his youthful literary influences while hinting at deeper, more complex themes. It explores the ego-driven quest for passionate extremes, including revenge, which ultimately isolates characters like Zastrozzi and the murderous Matilda, leading to their self-destruction as well as social ruin. The tale unfolds in a feverishly dramatic style that is particularly captivating when experienced aloud! (Summary by Martin Geeson)