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Book Review By Jack Goodstein
Dared and Done: The Marriage of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning by Julia Markus

A famous love affair and marriage of two great Victorian poets is the subject of Julia Markus' "Dared and Done." Robert Browning began writing to the invalid Elizabeth Barrett in 1845. She read his poetry and although older than him, had already hung his picture in her sick room, which he was eventually allowed to visit.

    Her tyrannical father had forbidden all of his adult children to marry, but despite the assurance that she would be disowned, the two were married in 1846 and went off to live on the continent, eventually settling in Florence. Elizabeth's father would never again speak to her.

    Her health improved somewhat; although throughout the marriage she took morphine for medicinal purposes. She gave birth to one child, a boy nicknamed Pen. The couple had an idyllic relationship; their only disagreement seemed to be over Elizabeth's belief in spiritualism. She died in 1861.



Plot & Themes
Romance Yes
Kind of romance:
job/profession:
Job/profession/poverty story Yes
Family, hate Yes
Struggle with: - Father
The difficult family member - expects to be obeyed in all things
Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899

Subject of Biography
Gender - Female
Profession/status:
Ethnicity - White
Nationality - British

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK - Italy
Century: - 19th century

Writing Style
Book makes you feel? - thoughtful
If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult
Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - significantly more descript than dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 26-50% of book
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