A fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of British Romantic literature, revealing the often-overlooked connections between some of England's most celebrated poets and the history of slavery and race.

In The Trembling Hand, Mathelinda Nabugodi examines the lives and works of six major Romantic writers, including Wordsworth, Shelley, Byron, and Keats, challenging traditional interpretations of their poetry and the world in which they lived.

While the Romantic poets are remembered for their celebrations of nature, freedom, and revolutionary ideas, they were also writing during a period shaped by the transatlantic slave trade, the growing abolitionist movement, and the development of racial ideologies.

Drawing on manuscripts, historical archives, and personal objects, Nabugodi uncovers the connections between these literary figures and the racial politics of their time, offering a fresh perspective on familiar works and the complex histories behind them.

Shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2026, The Trembling Hand is an insightful and compelling read for anyone interested in literature, Black history, British history, and the ways our understanding of the past continues to evolve.