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They Hanged My Saintly Billy

Robert Graves tells the story of a Victorian doctor accused of murdering 14 people in this work of true crime with a literary bent.As described by Graves, this is `a novel filled with sex, drink, dope, horse racing, incest [and] suicides.`A real historical figure, the British surgeon Dr. William Palmer was accused in 1856 of murdering 14 people by means of poison. The Dr. Kevorkian trial of the 19th century, with a bit of O.J. Simpson mixed in for good measure, the scandal entranced nearly the entire population of the British Isles. Everyone had an opinion on the case including esteemed poet and historical fabulist Robert Graves.They Hanged My Saintly Billy is true crime as only a true literary master could write it, with exquisitely rendered portraits of Palmer`s era and milieu, told from the shifting perspectives of all who came into contact with the notorious doctor. Just as his renowned I, Claudius opened a window onto a case of history once thought to be closed, Graves`s account of Palmer`s life recasts the surgeon as a victim of yellow journalism and overzealous judges.But ultimately it`s left up to the reader to decide whether or not Palmer`s mother is in the right, or merely duped along with the rest of Palmer s supporters, when she laments: `Yes, they hanged my saintly Billy! He was a bit of a scamp right enough, but a good son to me; the best of the brood… and no murderer.`Seven Stories Robert Graves Project spans 14 titles, and includes fiction and nonfiction, adult, young adult and children`s books, in a striking new uniform design, with new introductions and afterwords.

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