The Tempest

by Marianna Mayer

Book Overview

In this enchanting retelling, Shakespeare's magical tale is brought brilliantly to life for young readers. When the wizard Prospero seeks revenge on his enemies, his beautiful daughter, Miranda,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811850544
• ISBN13: 9780811850544
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.7" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 22 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Pleasantly tugs at your imagination!

A wonderful blend of simplicity and Shakespeare. Lynn Bywaters illustrations tug at the reader's imagination. Each page tells it's own story through its colors and glorious details. This is a beautiful book for all ages.

"I'm sure I am a fool to weep for what gives my heart such joy."

The illustrations in this adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest are exquisite, a magical realism that tells the tale in simple terms: Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his baby daughter, Miranda, are abducted and cast upon the open sea in a boat. Thanks to a loyal friend, a bundle of provisions and books on the magic arts are secreted on the craft; Prospero is thereby able to guide the small boat to an island, where he makes a home for himself and his daughter. Twelve years later, Miranda is a young woman, Prospero determined to seek revenge on those who have wronged him. Indeed, as the perpetrators sail near the island, a terrible storm arises, crashing the vessel against the cliffs, Alonso, the King of Naples, his son and Prospero's brother, Antonio, surely doomed to a watery grave. Miranda begs her father to summon his spells and save the ship and its occupants. To the tender-hearted girl's surprise, Prospero admits that he has caused the tempest, bringing those who have harmed them into close proximity. As Prospero takes counsel from his magic sprites, Ariel, the wind spirit, Caliban and others, all on the vessel are saved, but separated "and the ship, though safe and sound upon the beach, is made invisible". As planned, Prospero brings his daughter and Prince Ferdinand together, keeping the others at bay while Miranda and her prince fall in love. Through the intervention of his spirits, Prospero orchestrates his revenge, which ends in forgiveness of his brother and the King and the happy marriage of his daughter and Prince Ferdinand. Prospero's lands are restored and his sprites released as father and daughter return to the place of their birth. The text is highlighted in parchment-like squares against the jewel-toned colors of Prospero's island, the deep green of the forest, the azure sky, the sapphire sea. Fairies mix with characters in this enchanted landscape, as Prospero resolves his fate and that of his daughter to everyone's advantage. Shakespeare's fascinating tale is written in a manner that appeals to young imaginations, balancing tragedy and humor, cameo illustrations sprinkled throughout the pages, a rich canvas of foibles and fancies in a world where people and fantasy coexist. This is the perfect pairing of author and illustrator, a book to delight children and adults alike. Luan Gaines/ 2005.

Totally Tempting

I've loved Shakespeare for years, this amazingly beautiful version of the Tempest is a fabulous work of art on each page. Lynn Bywaters' illustrations are so filled with light and gracefulness, combined with Marianna Mayer's adaptation of a classic make it a joy of the young and their parents or anyone who enjoys a gentle and timeless love story.

Like a walk through the Met

Bywaters' illustrations breathe. There is not a dead corner anywhere. A world of such richly realized detail that you easily forget much of it is fantasy.

Lusciously illustrated

Lynn Bywaters' illustrations are breathtaking. They evoke the velvets and satins of the Elizabethan age and the richness of landscape is practically tactile. How could any child, young or old, not be coaxed into the beauty of the Tempest story through such tactile painting?