Ariel: A Shelley Romance

"Ariel: A Shelley Romance" by André Maurois is a historical novel that shines a light on the early life of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, specifically his challenging time at Eton. The story opens in 1809, introducing a world of harsh discipline enforced by Dr. Keate, where young Shelley's sensitive and rebellious nature clashes with the strict environment. Instead of conforming to the expectations of becoming a "hard-faced man," Shelley resists, becoming a target for ridicule but finding refuge in books and philosophical ideas, especially those of Godwin and Diderot. This sets the stage for a detailed look at Shelley's developing character, along with the struggles, loves, and rebellious ideals that would come to define him.