Krishna
We have reviewed some books from the author earlier. For examples, see The Handmaid’s Tale or Alias Grace.
First scene is a play. A boat in storm and panicked elites fearing drowning. This is the Tempest. This fun and enjoyable book is based on the Tempest by William Shakespeare and gets you to appreciate the play from an entirely new light – whether you have read the book earlier or not.
Meanwhile the main story starts. Felix, an ageing, fallen actor envies Tony who is in demand still. Tony was his assistant and managed to upstage him by trickery. The downfall of Felix started with his wife Nadia’s death at childbirth and then the surviving child Miranda’s death due to meningitis.
He plans a magnum opus, very over-the-top extravaganza as a tribute to her. But Tony gives him the news that his contract has been cancelled and that they had chosen him. Tony, as replacement for Felix. Tony goes on to great success in the theatre and later joins politics where he becomes a minister.
Tony sulks in a remote house he rented. And lives with dead ‘Miranda’ who hangs around with him. When he realizes his growing obsession is beginning to snap his tenuous hold on reality, he goes out and gets a job as a teacher for the local convicts.
He revolutionizes the education system and becomes extremely popular with everyone hosting plays of Shakespeare which, by using unusual methods, he manages to keep interesting for the actors among the inmates and also improves their overall language ability. The fame spreads and when he hears that Tony, as a minister is going to attend the opening act, sees his chance of revenge.
Tony is unaware that Mr Duke, the name Felix now uses in life as well as for the teaching position, is the same as Felix and so is unaware that he will come face to face with Felix.
He plans two versions of the play, one for the regular video and one version specially for him who cheated Felix out of his rightful place.
Amazing dialog about the Tempest analyzes every character. This conversation alone makes it worth reading. Felix, while introducing the Tempest to the prisoners, goes into an analysis of the characters in the play that make you see the entire play in a different light. This is like going behind the scenes in a play or into a writer’s head to see how the characters were designed and is one of the best descriptions – strike that, the best analysis – of a Shakespearean play I have ever read.
Amazing.
He brings his old actress friend to the play inside the prison, to the astonishment and delight of the other inmates.
The scenes that follow are no less spectacular, where Anne-Marie delights in her role. Felix, though, as Mr Duke, continues to ‘see and talk to’ Miranda.
Now, how they provide a dual end to the play, one for the regular police officers who are watching the play oblivious to the other ‘immersive experience’ doled out by Felix to his old enemies who are powerful politicians makes for an amazing and at once humorous and satisfying experience.
The aftermath of his redemption and restoration to former glory is satisfying as we have by now come to like and sympathize with the brilliant but eccentric old man.
As a bonus, there is a very creative (and multiple) re imagining of what happened to the (Shakespearean) characters after the novel ends. All brilliantly told. The actress Anne-Marie’s finding love at an unexpected site is also satisfying, if cinematic.
All in all a very enjoyable ramp – brilliantly imagined, well told.
8/10
– – Krishna