One of the Damned: The Life and Times of Robert Tressell Paperback – 9 Jan 2005

This is an updated work by the Hasting's born author Fred Ball. His earlier work (Tressell of Mugsborough) scractched the surface of Tressell's life but it left many question's unanswered/guessed at. This updated biography is written in a much more reader friendly format. Ball goes in search of the socialist literary ideal on the basis of the fictional "Mugsborough" being his home town of Hastings. This fact combined with the author's grave in Liverpool starts Ball on a detective story to learn about the real Tressell, one Robert Noonan. The search takes one through a series of interviews with unhelpful relatives who come across as the anti-thesis of the Owen character. Suprisingly more help are some of the still working decorating firms in the Hastings area, they do however question the descriptions of working life at the time (well they would I suppose!) Of a more enlightening note the story of the manuscript reminds us of the battle to actually get the book published. This narrative reminds us of the reasons for the lack of working class literature available at the time (only 90 years ago). Tressell certainly lead an interesting life up till his time in Hastings, the fact the semi-nomadic guy remained perhaps hides darker secrets as yet uncovered. The overall result is perhaps a disapointment, the socialist literary hero has a definite upper middle class background, and I think Ball feels a little let down. A consuming read, if you can get hold of a copy.