The Ring and the Book

Presented in blank verse, this unique work consists of nearly 21,000 lines divided into twelve books, each offering a distinct perspective on a gripping court case involving adultery and murder. While often labeled an "epic poem," its narrative depth and modern technique align it more closely with the novel form. Celebrated as one of the greatest English verse novels and a significant 19th-century literary achievement, it remains a vital part of English literature, deserving of renewed attention in the author's bicentenary year.