On May 30th, 1593, Christopher Marlowe, a celebrated young playwright, was rumored to have been killed in a tavern brawl in London. However, this audiobook reveals his truth: that his ‘death’ was an elaborate ruse to dodge execution for heresy. Marlowe narrates his escape across the channel into lonely exile, longing for his true love and the damp streets of London, while continuing to pen works under the name of a less remarkable figure—William Shakespeare.

This extraordinary novel in verse, performed by an award-winning poet, presents a gripping memoir filled with passion and complexity. It portrays a man who navigated Elizabethan society—from the son of a cobbler to a favorite of nobles, a spy for the Queen, and a lover of many, all the while courting danger. In this testament, Marlowe’s voice calls for recognition of his contributions to some of the most sublime works in the English language.