'Both scholarly and funny.a stylish, spirited and provoking extravaganza.' Richard Holmes, Evening Standard Romantic Affinities presents a kaleidoscopic portrait of Europe in an era of tumultuous change, as experienced and communicated by the great literary figures of his age. Set against the hopes and dreams inspired by the French Revolution, the disillusion caused by its failure and turmoil of the Napoleonic wars that followed, Rupert Christiansen draws the threads into an exciting narrative. Ranging over politics, art, music and using the voices of celebrated Romantic poets such as Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Byron, Goethe and Pushkin, as well as the less familiar Chenier, Holderlin, Hoffmann and de Stael, he vividly recreates one of the most fascinating and complex periods of modern history and offers fresh perspectives on its magnificent literature and culture. 'Exuberant and inventive.' Peter Ackroyd, The Times 'Entertainingly anecdotal as well as intelligently documentary.' Angela Leighton, Times Literary Supplement 'A feast for those for whom the word "joy" was never associated with English lesson.

' Val Hennessey, Daily Mail.