CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN THE CLUSTER TO ACCESS THE ENLARGED GALLERY
With the help of James Peacock of Peacock Computers, I spent much of the day trying to clear space in a clogged up iMac. 21,000 photographs has been too much for it.
Elizabeth came for lunch, of which Jackie provided enough for the two of us to enjoy a second sitting this evening.
“Hag-Seed, hence! Fetch us in fuel…..”
Thus does Prospero send Caliban off to fetch in wood in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”.
But you don’t need to know that to enjoy Margaret Atwood’s marvellous retelling of the Bard’s magical, musical mystery. Her novel is a triumphant addition to the Hogarth Shakespeare Project in which modern writers are invited to present the playwright’s work with a modern interpretation. I finished reading it today.
The original play is brought into the world of today’s technology, featuring drugs, cigarettes, rap and up-to-date musical references. As always I will not reveal the essence of Atwood’s inventive story, but the 2016 reviews were uniformly positive. Deception; disappointment; attempted ravages; revenge; and rollicking rampage are themes given new twists in a setting which provides ample opportunity for skilled group work.
This is a writer at the height of her powers. The novel races along, and her qualities as a poet shine through in her new songs. I don’t know how much research was required for her impressive understanding of either the setting she has chosen or its residents, but Ms Atwood has taken us right there.
As indicated above, no knowledge of the play is required, but you will have a very good idea of it by the time you have completed your reading. You will then be rewarded with a synopsis of Shakespeare’s original, against which you can balance what you have understood. You may then decide to pick up Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”.
I certainly sought out my copy to illustrate this post. It is The Folio Society’s 1971 edition featuring
Ralph Koltai’s costume designs for the 1968 Chichester Festival.
We dined this evening on Jackie’s luscious leak and potato soup, cold meats, cheeses, and plentiful salad, with Elizabeth’s moist Dorset apple cake. I drank more of the Paniza.
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