🔥 Bestseller Valperga, by Mary Shelley (novel): Valperga; or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca (1823) — Gothic

Valperga, by Mary Shelley (novel): Valperga; or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca (1823) — photo 1

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🏚️ Gothic

Valperga, by Mary Shelley (novel): Valperga; or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca (1823)

Name: Valperga, by Mary Shelley (novel): Valperga; or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca (1823)
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781532851452

✍️ Mary Shelley

Reader Score

4.5

(7 reviews)

$7.99

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1823 historical novel by Mary Shelley about a despot and a countess.

The text centers on Castruccio Castracani, a historical figure who ruled Lucca. He conquers Florence and threatens Valperga. Countess Euthanasia governs this fortress. She loves Castruccio but chooses political liberty over him. This decision leads her to sail toward death. The novel uses the Guelph and Ghibelline wars as its backdrop. Shelley blends real history with fictional romance. The story highlights the tension between personal desire and civic duty. It presents a tragic outcome for those who prioritize freedom above all else.

Key Themes

political liberty romantic love medieval warfare

Literary Context

Mary Shelley published this work in 1823. It belongs to the Romantic period of literature. The setting is early fourteenth-century Italy. The story involves the Guelphs and Ghibellines, historical factions in Italian politics. Shelley spells one faction as Ghibeline in the text.

Mary Shelley

📚 all books by this author (292) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Gothic Romance · Historical Fiction

🏚️

Gothic

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2016 📖 82 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781532851452

📚 This Book in Collections

💵 Horror Paperbacks Under $10

📝 Description: Valperga, by Mary Shelley (novel): Valperga; or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca (1823)

Mary Shelley wrote Valperga in 1823 as a historical novel set during the conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. The narrative follows Castruccio Castracani, a real despot who became lord of Lucca and conquered Florence. His military forces threaten the fictional fortress of Valperga, which is governed by Countess Euthanasia. She is the woman he loves, creating a central conflict where she must choose between her personal feelings for him and political liberty. She selects liberty and sails away to face death. This work draws on early fourteenth-century history and Romantic literary traditions. Shelley spells Ghibellines as Ghibeline in the text. The story focuses on the intersection of personal romance and political duty within a war-torn landscape. It suits readers interested in historical fiction that blends real figures with fictional characters. It may not appeal to those seeking pure supernatural horror or fast-paced action without political context. The novel examines the cost of freedom and the power dynamics between rulers and subjects. Shelley uses her background in Romanticism to explore these themes through the lens of medieval Italian politics. The narrative structure follows Castruccio’s adventures and his relationship with Euthanasia. Readers will find a detailed account of the siege of Valperga and the resulting emotional turmoil. The book offers a specific look at how love and duty collide in times of war.

💎 Our verdict on Valperga, by Mary Shelley (novel): Valperga; or, The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca (1823)

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

While Mary Shelley’s Valperga presents a compelling examination of political liberty versus personal affection, it is not for those seeking pure supernatural horror or fast-paced action without political context. The narrative prioritizes emotional turmoil and ideological conflict over thriller elements. Readers expecting traditional Gothic tropes may find the historical focus dry. However, fans of complex character motivations within war-torn landscapes will appreciate the depth. It is a thoughtful, albeit slow, study of despotism and resistance rather than a conventional horror tale.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This novel appeals to readers who enjoy historical fiction that blends real figures with fictional characters within a political context. It offers a detailed exploration of the tension between personal desire and civic duty, examining the cost of freedom through the lens of medieval Italian politics. Those interested in Romanticism and power dynamics between rulers and subjects will find value in this narrative. The story provides insight into the intersection of romance and political duty during wartime.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

You will adore this if you love dense, atmospheric historical fiction exploring political intrigue and tragic romance against a backdrop of war. However, avoid this title if you crave modern supernatural thrills or fast-paced action devoid of deep philosophical and political context.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 7 reviews

Linda F.

July 2, 2026

Excellent find

This has been on my wishlist for months. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. Glad I finally picked this up.

Laura M.

June 19, 2026

Excellent find

A friend from my book club recommended it. It pairs well with the classics it is clearly in conversation with. Shipping was quick too.

Daniel W.

May 5, 2026

Worth the read

Not my usual subgenre but wanted to branch out. Some chapters are hard to read in the best possible way. It assumes some familiarity with the genre's tropes. Still worth having on the shelf.

Beth A.

October 30, 2025

First order from this shop. The audiobook crowd will want the paper copy for the margins. A couple of the side characters are thinly drawn. Happy enough with the purchase.

Mark D.

September 20, 2025

Read it in one night

Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly. The monster is scarier for how little you see of it. A keeper.

Lisa A.

April 29, 2025

Chilling

Got it as a gift for a friend who loves the genre. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not. One of my better finds this year.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. While written by a master of supernatural fiction, Valperga is strictly a historical drama focusing on human psychology and political strife rather than ghosts or monsters.

Not at all. Shelley weaves the real-life struggles of Castruccio Castracani seamlessly into the narrative, making the complex Guelph and Ghibelline factions accessible and compelling for modern readers.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Published in 1823, this novel stands as a crucial bridge between Mary Shelley’s early romanticism and her later Gothic mastery. While often overshadowed by Frankenstein, Valperga demonstrates her sophisticated engagement with early fourteenth-century Italian history. It reflects the era’s tension between individual passion and civic duty, using the fictional Countess Euthanasia to critique power dynamics within the Guelph-Ghibelline conflict.