Super Short Summary

<Shelley: The Pursuit> by Richard Holmes is a biography that reexamines the life of the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, challenging the long-held perception of him as a mystical visionary. Holmes portrays Shelley as a complex, rebellious figure whose poetic and political radicalism stemmed from his non-conformist nature. The book covers key events such as Shelley’s expulsion from Oxford, his tumultuous personal relationships, his interactions with contemporary poets, and his ultimate tragic death. The biography provides a detailed, week-by-week account of Shelley’s life, emphasizing his political and literary contributions. Severe bullying and suicide.