Chatterton

Summary

The novel «Chatterton» by Peter Ackroyd delves into the life and death of the 18th-century English poet Thomas Chatterton, who gained fame for his forged medieval poems. The book intertwines three timelines: Chatterton's own life, the story of contemporary writer Charles Winchester, who discovers a portrait of Chatterton and begins to investigate his life, and the tale of artist Henry Wallis, who is also captivated by the poet's persona. Ackroyd explores themes of forgery, creativity, and identity, illustrating how myths and reality intertwine in life and art.