Suzi Feay

A free spirit: Clairmont, by Lesley McDowell, reviewed

Even by the Villa Diodati’s standards, Claire Clairmont was unconventional, seducing Byron when she was 18, and giving birth to their child after a possible affair with Shelley

Portrait of Claire Clairmont, by Amelia Curran, 1859. [Bridgeman Images]
  • Comments

  • Clairmont

    Lesley McDowell

    Wildfire, pp. 400, £16

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Steerpike

Listen: Scottish Green MSP sobs on radio over coalition collapse

Steerpike
If the Scottish Greens are good at anything, it’s making every issue about themselves. While the First Minister of Scotland faces two votes of no confidence next week — one in his own leadership and another in the SNP government — his party’s former coalition partners continue to vent their anger at the breakdown of

Because you read about fiction

Also by Suzi Feay

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in