The Marlowe Papers is a highly original novel in verse, written entirely in iambic pentameter, that reimagines the life of Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan playwright and contemporary of Shakespeare.
 
The book is based on the provocative theory that Marlowe faked his own death in 1593 and continued to write under the name William Shakespeare.
 
Narrated in the first person, the novel follows Marlowe in exile as he reflects on his secret survival, his lost loves, espionage, betrayal, and the creative life he is forced to conceal. Through this poetic and emotionally charged voice, Ros Barber blends historical fiction, literary mystery, and psychological introspection, illuminating questions of authorship, identity, and genius.
 
This uncorrected proof copy (pre-publication version) was printed by Sceptre in 2012. It retains editorial placeholders on the copyright page, such as “please supply title artwork” and “please supply printer details,” indicating its status before the final release.
 
The finished trade edition was later published with full artwork and won multiple awards, including:
Winner of the Desmond Elliott Prize (2013) for best debut novel;
Winner of the Author’s Club Best First Novel Award;
Long-listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize).
 
Signed uncorrected proofs are scarce, particularly those dated before the book’s public release.