John Keats - a Youth Elect

John Keats - a Youth ElectIn late October 1820, having sailed to Italy in the hope the warmer climate would improve his failing health, John Keats endured 10 days quarantine in the Bay of Naples. Those ten days are the timescale and one half of this narrative in which Keats looks back on his life, his development as a poet, and the tragic love relationship with his nineteen year old fiance Fanny Brawne. A second timescale, and the other half of the narrative, follows the six

In late October 1820, having sailed to Italy in the hope the warmer climate would improve his failing health, John Keats endured 10 daysÕ quarantine in the Bay of Naples. Those ten days are the timescale and one half of this narrative in which Keats looks back on his life, his development as a poet, and the tragic love relationship with his nineteen year old fiancŽe Fanny Brawne.
A second timescale, and the other half of the narrative, follows the six weeks Fanny spent in Wentworth Place, Hampstead, waiting for news of Keats. During this period, she feels she has lost the man she loves, and feels desperately isolated amongst KeatsÕ small circle of friends.
This is the story of John KeatsÕ emergence as a poet-hero in the Classical mould, exploring the darker regions of the psyche to discover true enlightenment.
This is also the story of Fanny Brawne, given a voice for the first time as the near equal partner of the poet himself.
John Keats and Fanny Brawne - as one, but apart - this is their story.