Wicked Lord Byron

The WICKED LORD BYRON is a novel that recreates the soul and voice of Byron, the most iconic personality of the age. It follows his life from his strange and stressful upbringing to his rise to fame as the first modern celebrity, his romance with his half-sister Augusta, his disastrous marriage, his exile to revolutionary Europe, his friendship with Percy Shelley, and his involvement in the Italian and Greek revolutions. On his deathbed, the two halves of his soul make peace.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2018
Publisher: Achilles Books (Achilles Productions)

The Wicked Lord Byron, a captivating portrayal by the renowned poet, captures the essence and voice of Byron, a truly unforgettable character who has left an indelible mark on modern consciousness. Byron leads a life that resembles the forging of his own legendary tale, displaying a remarkable blend of self-obsession and self-sacrifice. Thanks to his expansive perspective, he possesses an uncanny ability to find humor even in the most tragic aspects of human existence. Over time, he evolves into the most iconic personality of his age, captivating audiences with his irresistible beauty, poetic genius, outrageous sexuality, and unwavering commitment to the revolution against tyranny in England, Italy, and ultimately Greece.

As Byron lies on his deathbed in Missolonghi, where he has taken up a leadership role in the Greek army's fight for independence from the Turks, his soul splits into two distinct halves: the laughing Dandy and the tragic Romantic. These two halves occasionally engage in spirited debates over the finer details of Byron's life story, a phenomenon that may resonate with us all as we approach the end of our own journeys.

In his early years, Byron experiences a peculiar and challenging upbringing. He undergoes a sexual initiation at the tender age of ten, a traumatic experience that is compounded by the shadow cast by his great uncle, the first "Wicked Lord," who tragically took the life of Byron's best friend in a duel. Byron's formative years are further marked by the presence of a bear in his Cambridge rooms, a symbol of his unconventional and daring nature.

At Cambridge, Byron forms friendships with notable figures such as the esteemed Dandy and professional gambler Scrope Davies. Scrope, in particular, influences Byron's sense of style, while John Cam Hobhouse provides a more sensible and grounded perspective. Byron embarks on the "Grand Tour" of Europe, a journey that allows him to immerse himself in the spirit of the age and emerge as the first modern celebrity. His poem "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" captures the essence of the times, resonating with readers worldwide and earning him ludicrous fame and popularity. Byron becomes the favored icon of English high society, attending numerous balls and fashionable events in Piccadilly. Countless ladies fall head over heels for the handsome poet, but he cannot resist the allure of the one forbidden fruit—a romance with his beloved half-sister Augusta.

Byron's life is a testament to his extraordinary talent, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his beliefs. Through his poetry and actions, he has left an indelible mark on the world, inspiring generations to come and reminding us of the power of individuality, creativity, and the pursuit of justice. The Wicked Lord Byron serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one can rise above and become a legend in their own time.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912572007