The romantic love of the brilliant naval commander, national hero Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton, a gifted, beautiful woman of plebeian origin, who at the end of her life expected a cruel retribution for her dizzying career and unbridled passion - this almost textbook melodramatic plot takes on a completely new, original character in Sontag’s novel sound. The love story is placed in the context of historical events of the late 18th century. And although the author’s version does not pretend to be a strict documentary, the heroes, devoid of the usual idealization, embody all the vices (and, of course, virtues) inherent in that era: vanity and desperate courage, prudence and ardent feelings, hypocrisy and reckless worship - be it either a woman, a work of art or... a volcano.