Martin Rattler

"Martin Rattler" by R. M. Ballantyne is an adventure novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows the mischief-prone young boy, Martin Rattler, who lives with his Aunt Dorothy Grumbit in the village of Ashford. Despite being labeled as a “bad boy” by his aunt and many villagers, Martin's playful spirit and humorous outlook shine as he embarks on a journey that promises to take him beyond the confines of his sheltered life and into the world of excitement. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Martin Rattler and his home life with Aunt Grumbit, who struggles to manage Martin’s adventurous spirit while still caring for him. The opening chapters set the tone for Martin's character as he finds himself in playful trouble at school and must navigate his relationships with other children, including a bully named Bob Croaker. The narrative takes a turn as Martin's longing for adventure leads him to contemplate life at sea, and his indomitable spirit sets the stage for a greater journey ahead as he makes choices that will alter the course of his young life. The blend of humor, childhood mischief, and the charm of the setting hints at a coming-of-age tale filled with bravery and exploration. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Michael Ballantyne was a Scottish author of juvenile fiction, who wrote more than a hundred books. He was also an accomplished artist: he exhibited some of his water-colours at the Royal Scottish Academy.