Jon Stone was Albert Camus, Errol Flynn and Tintin compounded into poet form. He wrote work of vigour and flair from the age of 16 up to his death at 21. In this, the first volume of his selected works to be published, Mary Read argues that this daring boy-poet, who compared himself to Caligula and claimed to write out of idleness, wrought a compelling, utterly contemporary poetic terrain, teaming with emotional architecture; the modern world translated into a place of sorcery, piracy, rebellion and tyranny. "Stone. He travelled surreal pathways and painted visceral pictures so that you could stroke the canvas. The women he touched were on the same journey, some calm, some uneasy. He laid false trails, grasped at the earth, held air, set all in words to last forever. Stone." - Ronnie Goodyer