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Title details for The Tempest by William Shakespeare - Available

The Tempest

by William Shakespeare
a full cast
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available

In The Tempest, long considered one of Shakespeare's most lyrical plays, Prospero, a sorcerer, and his daughter, Miranda, have been stranded on an enchanted island for twelve years. When a shipwreck—caused by the eponymous tempest—brings enemies to the island, the stage is set for comedy, romance, and reconciliation. The Tempest embodies both seemingly timeless romance and the historically specific moment in which Europe began to explore and conquer the New World. Its poetic beauty, complexity of thought, range of characters—from the spirit Ariel and the monster Caliban to the beautiful Miranda and her prince Ferdinand—and exploration of difficult questions that still haunt us today make this play wonderfully compelling.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    November 8, 2010

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781481537124
      • File size: 50109 KB
      • Duration: 01:44:23

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 1290
    • Text Difficulty: 10-12

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from March 4, 1996
      Prospero-like in their artistry, Spirin's dazzling watercolors dominate this retelling of Shakespeare's final play. Shaped like altar panels fit for a Renaissance church or palace, the illustrations are romantic, regal and magical, richly interpreting the play's themes of betrayal, revenge and all-conquering love. A wispy ethereal air pervades island scenes, beautifully suggesting the atmosphere of enchantment, while Antonio and the King of Naples are pictured in brocade and velvet, the stench of power upon them. The other characters, too, are both otherworldly and very much flesh and blood. Especially well rendered is the monster Caliban, shown here as part man, part beast, part mythical creature, a sense of evil glee lighting his features. While this prose adaptation does not, of course, retain the full magic of the Bard's work, Beneduce nonetheless provides an intelligent, gripping story. Several passages from Shakespeare introduced at key points give a taste of the original. Symbols and small pictures integrated into the text further enhance the lavish presentation. All ages.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      On an uncharted, storm-swept island, the magician Prospero uses his powers and those of the flighty spirit Ariel to wreck the ship of his wicked brother, Antonio, stranding its crew and passengers. Meanwhile, through more magic, Prospero's daughter, Miranda, has fallen in love with Ferdinand, son of the of king of Naples. This 2001 BBC Radio 3 production starring the late Philip Madoc (Prospero) and Nina Wadia (Ariel) sounds timeless in its traditional use of stage rhythms and diction. This is not an audiobook one mows the lawn to. For American ears it may take a little concentration to pick up all the words, and it may be worthwhile to read along (as this reviewer did) to maximize the pleasure of listening to one of Shakespeare's most romantic and fanciful works. B.P. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      THE TEMPEST opens with the titular violent storm at sea, complete with booming thunder, driving rain, and the panicked shouts of people onboard a ship about to be wrecked. It's just one of the ways that the sound medium is used to especially good effect throughout the production. Seagulls cry, soothing lute music plays, and the listener can easily imagine the setting. Sir Ian McKellen wields his commanding voice masterfully as the wizard Prospero reigns over his island dukedom, orchestrating events. The other performers are also compelling, particularly Scott Handy who, as the spirit Ariel, is called upon to sing as well as act. It's a magical production, enhanced (but not overshadowed) by McKellen's star power. J.M.D. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Shakespeare's last play, THE TEMPEST, is a drama of brotherly strife and forgiveness set on an unnamed island. This full-cast recording is part of Arkangel's complete Shakespeare cycle, and it features some fine British talent, including Simon Russell Beale in the role of Antonio. (Listeners may recognize Beale from his work on Chivers's Shakespeare series for children.) Adrian Lester plays the spirit Ariel and sings in a haunting contralto. Indeed, the original song settings and original incidental music in this recording are its most pleasant surprises. D.B. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1290
  • Text Difficulty:10-12

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