Born on the same day that George Washington died, Cashel Greville Ross lived one of the most fascinating lives of anyone to walk the Earth; or did he?

The Romantic is a fictionalised biography of Ross, who lived between 1799 and 1882. The novel opens with a captivating author’s note, whereby William Boyd introduces readers to the raft of fragmented artefacts that he claims to have come into his possession some years ago. These artefacts, amongst others, include letters, sketches, maps, photographs, a tinder box, a few silver dollars, a musket ball, and of course, “…the unfinished, disordered, somewhat baffling autobiography of Cashel Greville Ross.” Boyd teaches us about our lives after death and the diminishing memories and materials we leave behind, such was the case with Ross. While that sounds grim, The Romantic is anything but.

The plot follows Ross’ journey across the globe, as he explores life as a soldier, a farmer, a writer, a lover, and even a felon. From the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 to a guest of the famed Romantic Poets in Pisa, The Romantic is an enthralling tale that explores the human condition as we have rarely experienced before. Boyd cleverly compels the reader to believe the astonishing story of Ross. He will send you back and forth to the computer to research more information about each event that arises. That is until you realise that truth is sometimes speculative, and that isn’t the point of the novel.

William Boyd is an institution in the literary world, and many, including yours truly, are pleased he has hit his stride once again in this grandiose saga.

Reviewed by Samuel Bernard