by Mary Gladwin
First published 2000
Aboard a 19th-century British warship, the young, handsome Billy Budd captivates his shipmates with his good nature. But when a cruel master-at-arms targets Billy, a single, tragic act sets off a chain of events with devastating consequences. As the relentless forces of the military machine grind on, Billy's fate becomes a haunting study of power, morality, and the price of purity.
Genres: drama, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: morally-ambiguous, tragedy
Setting: Britain, British Warship
Period: 19th-Century
54 pages · Paperback · Pearson ESL
Content warnings: violence