Aurora Leigh

Aurora Leigh is Elizabeth Barrett Browning's novel in verse, a story of a woman who chooses poetry over convention and learns what it costs to live by her own rules. First published in 1856, it was widely read and much debated, admired for its passionate intelligence and its unflinching look at the social problems of Victorian England.

The poem follows Aurora from her childhood in Italy to her life as a writer in London, and introduces a memorable cast: her cousin Romney Leigh, an idealistic reformer; Marian Erle, a seamstress whose fate exposes the cruelty of poverty; and Lady Waldemar, a worldly aristocrat. Through their stories, Barrett Browning explores the woman artist, the meaning of love, and the demands of social justice.

This edition is designed for readers who want to encounter Aurora Leigh in its entirety. It includes the complete text in nine books, a new introduction, a character guide, a summary, themes, a glossary of terms, and discussion questions.