Martin Rattler by Robert Michael Ballantyne announces a rollicking Victorian adventure centered on a notorious little troublemaker and the sea-bound world that shapes him. Ballantyne’s fiction blends humor, moral lessons, and high-spirited exploits as we meet Martin—branded a “very bad boy” by his Aunt Dorothy Grumbit yet adored in his village—and follow his passage from mischief into wider horizons.
Set in 19th-century Britain, the novel captures the rhythms of seaside life, small-town characters, and the era’s attitudes toward youth, duty, and redemption. Ballantyne’s lively prose and vivid descriptions of docks, ships, and coastal communities make this historical sea story as much a portrait of its time as an adventure tale. Themes of coming-of-age, loyalty, and the pull of the sea run throughout without sacrificing the buoyant energy that has long made Ballantyne a favorite for young readers.
Perfect for fans of classic adventure and sea stories, teens and young adults craving a spirited historical yarn, or anyone who enjoys heartfelt, old-fashioned storytelling. Listen to Martin Rattler for a charming, action-filled voyage through Victorian life and the timeless mischief of youth.
