Valperga, Volume 2

Set against the backdrop of the Guelph and Ghibelline wars, this historical novel follows the life of Castruccio Castracani, a real figure who rose to power in early fourteenth-century Italy. The narrative, edited by Mary Shelley's father, William Godwin, emphasizes the female protagonist and condenses the story. It explores themes of ambition, power, and the complexities of leadership while providing a vivid portrayal of the political landscape of the time.