BOOK BRIEF

The Cenci

Percy Bysshe Shelley
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The Cenci

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2007

Book Brief

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Percy Bysshe Shelley

The Cenci

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

200

Format

Poem • Fiction

Setting

Rome, Italy • 1590s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a tragic play exploring themes of power, innocence, and justice. Set in 16th-century Rome, it follows the Cenci family, particularly Beatrice, who confronts issues of abuse and morality. Complex family dynamics and societal constraints drive the narrative, emphasizing the struggle for personal agency.

Dark

Mysterious

Melancholic

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

3.4

720 ratings

54%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley is often praised for its lyrical language and intense emotional depth, capturing the tragic nature of its real-life inspiration. Critics admire Shelley's bold exploration of themes like power and injustice. However, some find its plot dense and characters underdeveloped. The play remains a challenging yet rewarding read for Shelley enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Cenci?

A reader who appreciates The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley likely enjoys dark, tragic narratives and Romantic literature with complex characters. Fans of Shakespearean tragedies like Macbeth or Gothic novels such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein would find thematic and stylistic parallels appealing.

3.4

720 ratings

54%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

200

Format

Poem • Fiction

Setting

Rome, Italy • 1590s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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