The minute I saw this one, I knew I would have to read it. I have to declare an interest here – I’m working on my own retelling of The Tempest, so I was very interested to read this one…
Miranda is a lonely child. For as long as she can remember, she and her father have lived in isolation in the abandoned Moorish palace. There are chickens and goats, and a terrible wailing spirit trapped in a pine tree, but the elusive wild boy who spies on her from the crumbling walls and leaves gifts on their doorstep is the isle’s only other human inhabitant. There are other memories, too: vague, dream-like memories of another time and another place. There are questions that Miranda dare not ask her stern and controlling father, who guards his secrets with zealous care: Who am I? Where did I come from?
This books is written as a dual narrative, with both Miranda and Caliban giving their different version of events from the time Caliban enters Miranda’s life when she is a six-year-old. If Shakespeare’s The Tempest is told from the viewpoint of Prospero, then this story is from the point of view of two of the characters who are most impacted by the events unfolding around them. Miranda and Caliban are in thrall to Prospero and suffer the consequences of his abusive, controlling behaviour.
Carey’s lyrical prose drew me into the closed world of the enchanted island and the deserted Moorish palace inhabited by Prospero, Miranda and Caliban. As the years roll past, Miranda and Caliban grow up, while Prospero grows older, always working away at his magical studies. The pacing works well, with the first half of the book moving relatively slowly – and then as we approach the more familiar events covered in Shakespeare’s play, the book’s momentum suddenly rockets forward.
Miranda and Caliban is more of a prequel to The Tempest, with Carey’s version of what happens once Prospero raises his magical storm and wrecks King Alonso’s ship, differing in major ways from Shakespeare’s version. Though the main events are still recognisable and I love the twists and variations which work very effectively, still keeping to the spirit and form of this, one of Shakespeare’s most lyrical plays. However, if you’ve never seen or read The Tempest and have absolutely no intention of doing so – there is nothing here that prevents you from appreciating this bittersweet story of young love, as Carey ensures the tale is completely standalone.
Both young people are utterly convincing in their desperate loneliness, while caught up in Prospero’s elaborate scheme to escape his island exile. Their feelings for each other are completely understandable and both struggle to do the right thing in difficult circumstances. As for the ending… oh my word. It blew me away, leaving me with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. Wonderful and memorable, this is my favourite book of the year so far. Very highly recommended.
While I obtained the arc of Miranda and Caliban from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
10/10
So glad you loved this! Wow, I am very interested that you are writing your own Tempest retelling, how exciting:-)
It really is beautiful, isn’t it? Yes… I’ve been working on it for the past couple of years and am now in the process of a major rewrite, which I hope to complete in the next few weeks:).
Woah ! 10 out of 10 , yep I’m definitely buying this .
It’s a wonderful, bittersweet story. I’d love to hear how you get on with it:)
I love The Tempest and find myself drawn to retellings of the narrative. I hadn’t heard of this one but your great review has sold me on it, I’ll be keeping an eye out for this book.
I’d love to know what you think of this one, Hayley. It is very respectful of the original, weaving the events of the play really effectively into the storyline. So if you do know and love The Tempest, there will be all sorts of lovely little moments in there for you…
I studied The Tempest during my A-Levels, and again at Uni so I feel like I know it very well. It’s always interesting to read new interpretations of The Tempest story.
Sounds like it would be an ideal book for you to read:).
Ohhhhhhhh now I’m definitely going to pick this up if I see it in a bookstore! Lovely review, Sarah. 🙂
Thank you, Sara:). I’m glad you liked it.
I can’t wait to read this one.
Lynn 😀
I’m really looking forward to hearing what you think of this one, Lynn.
Yep. I have got to read this. I’ve come across a whole bunch of glowing reviews with lots of input.
Oh, I’d love to hear what you make of it, Laura. I think it’s really beautiful…
Oh look! I said “I’m looking forward to your review” and here it is already! (the perk of being late with reading blogs) Thank you for it: the book is definitely worth a look. Although I might want to read the Tempest first (Polish education didn’t save much space for Shakerspear).
It would be something of a bonus, but the book is structured so that if you haven’t read The Tempest you’ll still enjoy the story. Knowing The Tempest will give you some extra backstory, though:).