I Return: The Story of Francois Villon (Paperback or Softback)

A lively historical novel about the life of a Medieval poet! Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Jean Plaidy and Elizabeth Chadwick.

He’s the most highly acclaimed poet of his day … but is François Villon on the road to ruin?

Paris, 1438

As a small boy François Montcorbier’s greatest dream is to learn how to read and write. But he and his mother are living in dire poverty, and school is out of the question for paupers in the 1500s.

When he is fostered by Guillaume de Villon — who gives him his surname as well as an education — the boy’s extraordinary talents begin to blossom. But although he excels in his studies, he finds his true calling in verse. His poems scandalise the elite but are loved by the masses, and soon the name of François Villon is on everyone’s lips.

But despite his fame, François is spinning out of control as his rebellious spirit and outspokenness makes him many enemies. To numb the pain of rejection by his former love Marthe Rose, he passes the days drinking and womanising, and soon becomes entangled in a series of misadventures which land him on the wrong side of the law.

When he’s forced to flee Paris in the aftermath of a robbery, the reprobate poet finds himself a lone wolf, caught in a downward spiral. And when he’s cruelly betrayed again by the love of his life, suddenly nothing seems to matter any more…

Is it too late for François to turn over a new leaf? Or will his wild ways be his downfall?

And when his past finally catches up with him, will he live to regret it – or pay with his life?

I RETURN is a wryly humorous autobiographical novel of a Medieval French poet that brings an extraordinary historical figure vividly to life.