Young Villain with Wings - by Rayne Kruger.

A novel based on the life of Thomas Chatterton. The author states that 'Almost all the known facts and many of Chatterton's own words are incorporated in the story.' Published by Longmans.Green and Co.,1953.

Reviewed by Richard Fenlon, 26 May 2002.

A review, perhaps, should wait until the book is finished. However, I cannot contain myself.

I am on page 96 of 334, and am enjoying the read thoroughly. I am helped by being a Bristol boy myself and smile every time I recognise a particular allusion. The last few pages have brought up The Mangotsfield Witch then, shortly after, The Cunning Woman of Bedminster. Wonderful! Feels almost like Blackadder talking. The introduction of phrases and passages from the Chatterton biographies jump out at you - deja vu, feels like I've read it before. But still the story dragged me into Colston's school and I felt Icould actually see the headmaster, Mr Gardner, and his massively swollen legs. I could hear Granny Chatterton hacking at the lock on the bedroom door, just to get out and refuel with gin.

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