About this book
Percy Bysshe Shelley's *Zastrozzi: A Romance* opens with breathless intensity as a desperate abduction sets the stage for a tale of unbridled passion, vengeance, and moral darkness. This Gothic novelette plunges readers into a world where ambition and revenge consume those who pursue them without restraint.
At its core, the story traces the downfall of Zastrozzi, a charismatic villain driven by an ego that demands satisfaction through increasingly destructive acts. Alongside the murderous Matilda, he embodies Shelley's exploration of how obsessive pursuits of extreme passion isolate individuals from society and ultimately lead to their self-destruction. The narrative examines the corrosive nature of revenge—how the hunger for vengeance poisons not only its victims but the avenger's own soul.
Written in Shelley's characteristically hysterical, breathless style, *Zastrozzi* reveals the young writer recycling the sensational Gothic tales of his youth while grappling with themes that would define his mature works: the dangers of unchecked ego, the seductive appeal of transgression, and the inevitable consequences of abandoning moral restraint.
This audiobook is perfect for listeners drawn to Gothic fiction, psychological dark tales, and the Romantic era's exploration of human passion and its limits. The relentless pacing and intense emotional register make it especially rewarding when experienced aloud, capturing the urgency and drama that Shelley intended.
