The Young Pretender
A tale of fame, fortune, and the theatre's shadows
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Quercus Publishing
Published:30th Mar '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This novel recounts the life of a child actor's rise and fall, exploring themes of fame and societal pressures in The Young Pretender.
In The Young Pretender, Michael Arditti explores the fascinating life of William Henry West Betty, a child actor who became a sensation in Georgian Britain. At just thirteen, Betty captivated audiences with his performances in iconic roles such as Romeo, Macbeth, and Richard III. His debut as Hamlet at Covent Garden was so significant that it prompted Prime Minister William Pitt to adjourn the House of Commons, allowing members to witness the event. However, with great fame came intense scrutiny and scandal, leading to a dramatic fall from grace that starkly contrasts his meteoric rise.
The novel chronicles Betty's attempts to reclaim his status at the age of twenty-one, diving deep into the complexities of his earlier triumphs and the harsh realities of celebrity. As he navigates the treacherous waters of public life, The Young Pretender offers a poignant reflection on the nature of fame, the fickleness of public opinion, and the societal pressures that accompany youthful success. Arditti's narrative sheds light on the intricacies of the theatre scene during this vibrant period, revealing the often-unseen challenges faced by those in the spotlight.
With a blend of humor, tragedy, and historical insight, Arditti crafts a compelling story that resonates with contemporary themes of celebrity culture. Through the lens of Betty's life, readers are invited to consider the enduring relevance of fame and the relentless pursuit of public adoration, making The Young Pretender a captivating read for both history enthusiasts and fans of theatrical drama.
The Young Pretender is an absolute joy - charming and funny, with the lightest hint of melancholy, and a wonderfully imaginative recreation of the Georgian theatre scene -- Kate Saunders
Michael Arditti tells a story of a Regency child star with great panache and compassion, bringing a forgotten celebrity back to life for the modern age. A compelling read I was sad to finish. -- Linda Grant
An engrossing, enthralling and utterly captivating read, The Young Pretender tells a simply remarkable story with bounce, energy, wit, and lively authenticity . . . Michael Arditti's brilliant imaginative achievement offers high comedy, dark tragedy and everything between * Stephen Fry *
The Young Pretender is just wonderful: so delicate and precise about performance, pretence and youth, with such a feeling for Georgian London. It's so well-written, I found myself admiring it from end to end. * Andrew O'Hagan *
Entrancing and disturbing . . . A moving story and Michael Arditti tells it with understanding and engaging sympathy . . . A rich social picture -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *
The Young Pretender is a scintillating departure [from Arditti's previous work], bringing to life the vanished world of the Georgian theatre with great skill. -- Suzy Feay * Financial Times *
Arditti's voice as Betty is impeccable. He is touchy, sometimes myopic, sincere in his ambitions. His attempts to reclaim lost glory are run through with an affecting melancholy. -- Antonia Senior * The Times (Best New Historical Fiction) *
The Young Pretender is an absolute joy - charming and funny, with the lightest hint of melancholy, and a wonderfully imaginative recreation of the Georgian theatre scene
Michael Arditti tells a story of a Regency child star with great panache and compassion, bringing a forgotten celebrity back to life for the modern age. A compelling read I was sad to finish.
The Young Pretender is a scintillating departure [from Arditti's previous work], bringing to life the vanished world of the Georgian theatre with great skill. * Financial Times *
Persuasively told in the actor's voice, this short, compelling novel records the crumbling of Betty's dreams of renewed acclaim and his slow acknowledgment of uncomfortable truths about his childhood stardom. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *
The first-person narrative endears, as Arditti blends tragedy and comedy. There won't be a dry eye in the house. -- Rose Shepherd * Saga Magazine *
A vivid, highly detailed portrait of life in rumbustious Regency London -- Anthony Gardner * Mail on Sunday *
One of the best novels about the theatre I have ever read. Arditti brilliantly captures the feverish adulation of Master Betty, the financial exploitation of his fame and the sexual curiosity his presence aroused. This is also a novel about the transience of celebrity, the capricious bustle of Georgian London and the politics of theatre. I would recommend the novel not just to theatre addicts but to anyone intrigued by the whirligig of time. -- Michael Billington
ISBN: 9781529422573
Dimensions: 196mm x 126mm x 18mm
Weight: 150g
208 pages