In Defense of Harriet Shelley

Mark Twain pulls no punches while exposing the "real" Percy Shelley in this scathing condemnation of Edward Dowden's "Life of Shelley". Even though, as Twain writes, "Shelley's life has the one indelible blot upon it, but is otherwise worshipfully noble and beautiful", Twain shows how Shelley's extra-marital conduct might easily be seen to have been the cause of his wife Harriet's suicide. (Introduction by John Greenman) (1 hr 43 min)

Chapters

In Defense of Harriet Shelley, Chapter 1	31:33	Read by John Greenman
In Defense of Harriet Shelley, Chapter 2	31:40	Read by John Greenman
In Defense of Harriet Shelley, Chapter 3	40:23	Read by John Greenman

Reviews

A gem

(5 stars)

Shelly

In this gem of a story, Twain, with his ascorbic wit , offers a concise and credible defence backed up by solid evidence. Narrated superbly.

(2 stars)

D. Sims

I just don’t see the humor in criticizing dishonorable behavior of someone who is not alive.