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Alyson Grauer has managed the impossible, a retelling of Shakespeare which doesn't make me want to slap anyone.
On the Isle of Sound and Wonder is a deep reading and a clever treatment of a story most of us already know. That said, I’ll wager none of us were ready for a version of Shakespeare which includes, magic, automatons, monsters, airships and amusing revisions of names. Chances are pretty solid that you were forced to read The Tempest at some point in your educational career. Its a great play and one that I recommend for a re-read. It’s a story that I didn't fully understand when I first read it in high school. On the surface it gives a story of some people who get shipwrecked on a small island and shenanigans ensue. The wizard who lives on the island has become a tyrant and takes out his revenge on those who exiled him. In the end, everyone is forgiven and they all get to go home to Milan. Also, there are some drunk guys, an air spirit and a half-fish monster guy. Speaking honestly, the bit I remembered most was the feast scene in which Ariel scares the bejesus out of some guys after tempting them with a glorious feast.
There is so much more to it and Grauer’s treatment teases out the nuances and plays with all of them. There are many laudable aspects of Aly's work but most notable are the retooling of Shakespeare's characters. His original is highly influenced by tragicomic simplicity of characterization. With the exception of Prospero few of the characters have self-evident complexities. Miranda is a great example. In Shakespeare’s work Miranda is almost entirely passive. She lives on an island with her father who has failed to act in her best interests and has insulated her from knowledge. She is naive and acquiescent, a quality which does not change at the revelation of the Milanese castaways. In this version Mira is quite the opposite. She is still the daughter of a wizard who has been exiled to an island but she is anything but naive. Mira is curious to the point of being ravenous for new knowledge. She has read all of the books she can and she occupies herself by tinkering and exploring. She is also independent.
So, unlike Miranda, Mira has made the decision for herself to escape her father’s sheltering influence and failed protections. She is mad with him for his anger issues and narcissism but her love is still clear. Mira is not alone in the depth with which she is written. Even Gonzo the automaton has levels of motivation and background which enrich the novel and provide a unique lens on the original play. Grauer’s work gives each character a motivation and us a motivation to engage with them on a deeper level. While straying heavily from the source material (seriously, airships) she sheds light on it. Her choices explain the actions of the characters beautifully.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I recommend it for those seeking a strong cast of characters, healthy plot and solidly built world.
On the Isle of Sound and Wonder by Alyson Grauer is available from Xychler Publishing and on Amazon.com.
