Although I've been trying to read the newest books in our collection, there are still many books out of the thousands we have that I haven't had a chance to read. King of Shadows by Susan Cooper is one of these.
It was so wonderful to have a snow day today so I could curl up and read this book from cover to cover! I was glued to it! Nathan is an actor who is hired to travel to England to play the role of Puck in Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. He is a great little actor and is perfect for the part.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were performed in a theatre called Globe Theatre in the late 1500's and early 1600's. In the story a reproduction of the Globe Theatre has been erected so this entire cast of young boys (ages 11-18) have been brought in from all over the United States to put on two plays in the way they would have been performed 400 years ago.
Suddenly Nat feels a little dizzy, however, and the next thing he knows he's feeling sick and is sent to bed. When he awakes he is still in England - but he is in the England of 1599! What a surprise when he is taken to the original Globe Theatre and not only expected to play the same role of Puck, but also given the chance to meet William Shakespeare face-to-face, to act with him, and to live in his home.
Through this great fantasy we find Nat living out the realities of England in 1599 - a very dirty and disgusting place (with no running water, electricity, or any of the comforts he is used to). However, Nat plays his part and becomes quite attached to his new friend, William Shakespeare. But why has he been transported through time, and what will happen as they days continue. Will he ever get back to the future again?
As I said, this was a page turner - and I loved every minute of it! It is a challenging book to read, especially with the old English language and the many parts of the Shakespeare plays, but if you can take your time and make your way through it you will be very glad you did!
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