*WINNER OF THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE*
'Sharp, concise, stunningly visual' Sunday Times
On 30th May, 1593, a celebrated young playwright was killed in a tavern brawl in London. That, at least, was the official version. Now Christopher Marlowe reveals the truth: that his 'death' was an elaborate ruse to avoid being convicted of heresy; that he was spirited across the Channel to live on in lonely exile; that he continued to write plays and poetry, hiding behind the name of a colourless man from Stratford - one William Shakespeare.
With the grip of a thriller and the emotional force of a sonnet, this remarkable novel in verse gives voice to a man who was brilliant, passionate and mercurial. Memoir, love letter, confession, settling of accounts and a cry for recognition as the creator of some of the most sublime works in the English language, The Marlowe Papers brings Christopher Marlowe and his era to vivid life.
'The best book I've read for a long time. Truly innovative, truly original, and a powerful poetic journey to another truth' Benjamin Zephaniah
'Rich and charmingly playful' Sunday Telegraph
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 9781444730241
Number of pages: 464
Weight: 310 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 29 mm
A big, clever, vividly wrought work of conspiracy fiction, filled with impeccable but lightly worn research. Elizabethan England, in all its stifling atmosphere of repression - writers were regularly being imprisoned and having their hands cut off - is brought to life by Barber's faultless poet's ear...[she]cannily uses the poetry to do just what any prose narrative aspires to: it's sharp, concise, stunningly visual. - Robert Collins, Sunday Times
This rich and charmingly playful work avoids the potential for whimsy inherent in such an undertaking. The thrill at reimagining the events and era comes through wave after wave in Barber's blank verse. - Adam O'Riordan, Sunday Telegraph
The Marlowe Papers grips. - John Sutherland, The Times
This is effortlessly better stuff than many far more trumpeted poets can produce, even on a good day...The Marlowe Papers is the best read, so far, this year. - Martin Newell, Sunday Express
this highly ambitious debut makes for an engrossing read...brought to life by smatterings of exquisitely poetic descriptions and turns of phrase worthy of the Bard himself, whoever he was. - Time Out
This terrifically accomplished and enjoyable novel/play/poem, call it what you like, restores one's faith in English fiction. - Fay Weldon
Lush, inspired and provocative, this spellbinding dossier conjures up a bewitching Marlowe. - Kirkus
Barber ingeniously weaves the action of the plays and sonnets into her story...The verse is subtle and varied enough never to disturb the ear, and in fact you forget that you're reading poetry at all. This is no bawdy cod-Shakespearean romp. - Suzi Feay, Financial Times
The best book I've read for a long time. Truly innovative, truly original, and a powerful poetic journey to another truth. Ros Barber has told a great story, in a fascinating way, so fascinating that she had someone like me gripped to the very end. This really is a joy to read and a true work of art. - Benjamin Zephaniah
now that I've reached the end I want to go back and read it all again...Written in Marlowe's voice the reader doesn't need to know his work or that of Shakespeare to enjoy the book and relish the accomplishment of the author...The proof copy I read is already battered with rereading. I will be buying myself a hardback copy when it comes out. Don't buy it on an e-reader, buy a proper copy and hold it lovingly as you read. - Newbooksmag.com
What a pleasure it was to discover that the book is not only packed with the kind of upper-echelon phrase-making that one expects from a poet of Barber's standing ('snow is falling like small promises', 'I'd make world in words, I'd show it things/you'd only see in mirrored glass, and then/scratch off the silver, let the truth go through') but it is also as excitingly plotted as any thriller... The Marlowe Papers thunders along like an episode of some Elizabethan 24 - Jonathan Barnes, Literary Review
Themes of identity and self-esteem, of truth and loyalty, give substance to Barber's enthralling plot in a work that combines historical erudition with a sharply satisfying read. Marlowe's passion infects the page; Barber's skill draws the fever. - James Urquhart, Independent
A magnificently original novel...this is a marvellous reconstruction of a life, told beautifully...A truly superb achievement. - Lesley Mc Dowell, Glasgow Herald
The Marlowe Papers is rhythmically hypnotic and reads as well as the most renowned historical thrillers. It is violent, humorous and brilliantly written.
If, like me, you are inclined to baulk at the idea of a 400 page novel written entirely in verse, I implore to you set aside your misgivings and give this a try! It turns out the very thing that made me hesitate is... More
I can't recommend this book highly enough. I was concerned at first as poetry is not usually my strong point but from the first page I was beguiled. The rhythm of the verse, and the beautiful language combine... More
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