Chatterton

GREAT NEWS! Chatterton is out as an eBook! To read on Kindle and other platforms click here.

A limited first edition of 50 copies of this pamphlet signed by the author. PAPERBACK VERSION–SOLD OUT!

Black Pear Press published ‘Chatterton’, a series of poems about the 17 year old starving poet in a garret, Thomas Chatterton. Did he commit suicide or was it an accidental death? You decide.

Polly Stretton has created a series of poems about Thomas Chatterton from the viewpoints of those who loved or were somehow influenced by him, gathered around the foot of his deathbed, remembering and commenting on his life.

Polly says, ‘I’ve loved the Henry Wallis painting (shown on the pamphlet cover) since I studied the pre-Raphaelites – it’s been the inspiration for this series.’

Award winning novelist, Carrie Rubin said, ‘Chatterton – A Series of Poems explores loved ones’ possible reactions to young Thomas Chatterton’s death, using Henry Wallis’s painting Death of  Chatterton as a launching point. The verses are wonderfully visceral, and I enjoyed learning about this tragic young lad. The poem by “The Mother” about broke my heart. Only Ms. Stretton could get me to read a collection of themed poems. And I’m so glad I did!’

Chris Moran wrote to say, ‘Just to let you know your books arrived and I have totally devoured mine! I shall read it again and again. I’m looking forward to sending it to my friend in America…’

Poet Alex Carr-Malcolm said, ‘If you haven’t already ordered a copy, I can thoroughly recommend this collection. What a unique idea to look at many viewpoints. Each with their own take on the life and death of Chatterton. Beautiful poetry, an anthology that you will delve into again and again. Thought provoking and profound – a must for every collection.’

Writer Jenifer Granger said ‘This series puts me in mind of Russian poetry, in the best possible sense.’

Chatterton was performed by writers at 42 Worcester 30th April 2014, at Coach House Writers 1st May 2014 and by writers from Worcester Writers’ Circle 12th June 2014.

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Polly Stretton has performed her poetry at spoken word events such as Worcester SpeakEasy, 42Worcester, Mouth & Music, and at The Poetry Place in Covent Garden. Her writing has been published in many anthologies, most recently, Slants of Light, The Paragram Poetry Prize Anthology in which she was shortlisted with her poem Latent. Last year she was published in The dVerse Anthology: Voices of Contemporary World Poetry. Polly released the first edition of Girl’s Got Rhythm in 2012 and the second edition in 2014.