Ariel Percy Bysshe Shelley

This splendid little volume repays study.

A retranslation of Andre Maurois’ book - a fictionalised biography of Shelley which was the first ever Penguin Paperback, published in the summer of 1935 - was overdue.

Shelley’s doomed Romantic career trajectory makes him the poster boy of the movement and the fictional narrative is fascinating not least because it is also very largely history.

I was interested enough to compare this translation with that of Ella D’Arcy (1935) and concluded that this new book has performed a public service by its more engaging idiomatic approach.

Among its other virtues, Ariel would make a a good introduction to Shelley and the Romantics for any young adult reader.

The illustrations by Anwot add interest and are also very contemporary and metropolitan.

It would be churlish to dwell upon the few literals scattered through the text which a subsequent edition could quickly tidy up. The cover image is arresting and the layout very accessible.

In brief, a worthy addition to the literature surrounding Shelley, his circle (Godwin, Byron et al) and the Romantics in general.

A translation of André Maurois’ 1910 ‘Ariel, ou La Vie de Shelley’, this really brings the life of the tragic Romantic to life for the widest possible audience. Alix Daniel makes the story skip lightly along, holding you to it. A real page-turner if ever there was one, whether, like me, you are a lover of the Romantics, or whether you are looking to learn more about the movement, you won’t be disappointed!

Meet Shelley, the rebel du jour with the angelic face and a brilliant mind, and this book is his story set in the late 1800s.

And what a story it is! So much achieved in so little time, an impressive feat in itself.

This story has points of views, however, it also feels like we have a narrator who tells this story of adventure (nothing less) in a whitty and, at most times, carefree in a way, even though not all of it is.
The language is poetry in itself.

My feelings towards Shelley were up and down throughout the book.
I am impressed, though, getting into Oxford University, being published, and moving to other countries.

Then again, he was a free spirit. Like me, he did not fit the mold. He seemed a little dramatic and not the biggest planner, often on adventures without much funds. A fun little bonus was that I recognized the names of some of his friends, who are fairly known in the realm of books. 😊

Brisk and energetic, Ariel gives an insight into Shelley's turbulent and iconoclastic character, his loves, and his family. Touched by genius and, too often, by tragedy, Ariel provides a vivid portrayal of his travels and life at home and in Italy, his friendship with Byron, and other figures of the day. The translator, Alix Daniel, is not a native English speaker, and it often shows in her version of Maurois' 1923 work. It might be interesting to compare hers with the original 1935 translation by Ella D’Arcy, the first Penguin paperback ever.

A book, that without the ex cellent translation, would have passed me by......which would have been unfortunate indeed. I totally enjoyed the read.....a fascinating insight.
I have now passed the book to a friend who is also devouring it.