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1drasvola
Here’s an imaginative tale. Shakespeare, on a sea voyage to Denmark under orders from Queen Elizabeth I to perform Romeo and Juliet for King Christian IV, sights a huge white whale intent on sinking the vessel. Shakespeare is fascinated by the animal and the circumstances, and comes up with the idea of writing a play for his Globe Theatre with a whale as the main character.
Farfetched? Not quite. Together with Shakespeare travels the Earl of Southampton, charged by Queen Elizabeth with an important diplomatic mission which could change the balance of power in the Continent. The captain of the vessel, who will seek retirement after the trip, is apparently well known to the whale. It surfaces showing old wounds, pieces of harpoons and even the remains of cadavers hanging from rotting ropes.
The crew includes a mysterious old sailor who claims he will kill the whale when some other ploys, such as shooting it with the vessel’s cannon, fail to work.
A thick green cloud has been hovering for days over calm seas prompting all sort of ominous forebodings, while Shakespeare ponders the ways to manipulate a huge tail on the Globe’s stage.
The characters are there; who represents Ishmael, Queequeg, Ahab?
The story does not limit itself to the voyage. Plenty of historical references provide an excellent account of Shakespeare’s life, his work, his friends and Elizabethan times.
In Spanish, by novelist Jon Bilbao, Shakespeare y la ballena blanca (Shakespeare and the white whale).
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Farfetched? Not quite. Together with Shakespeare travels the Earl of Southampton, charged by Queen Elizabeth with an important diplomatic mission which could change the balance of power in the Continent. The captain of the vessel, who will seek retirement after the trip, is apparently well known to the whale. It surfaces showing old wounds, pieces of harpoons and even the remains of cadavers hanging from rotting ropes.
The crew includes a mysterious old sailor who claims he will kill the whale when some other ploys, such as shooting it with the vessel’s cannon, fail to work.
A thick green cloud has been hovering for days over calm seas prompting all sort of ominous forebodings, while Shakespeare ponders the ways to manipulate a huge tail on the Globe’s stage.
The characters are there; who represents Ishmael, Queequeg, Ahab?
The story does not limit itself to the voyage. Plenty of historical references provide an excellent account of Shakespeare’s life, his work, his friends and Elizabethan times.
In Spanish, by novelist Jon Bilbao, Shakespeare y la ballena blanca (Shakespeare and the white whale).
.jpg)
2Quicksilver66
Sounds terrific - Shakespeare meets Moby Dick - a combination of two of my favourite writers. I hope it will be translated into English.
Why is it that Spanish language writers seem so much more inventive and exciting than English language writers? English language writers seem trapped in a dreary cul de sac of gritty realism - I wish they would liberate their imaginations. I have not read a contemporary English language novelist for years because their works are usually dull and depressing. So many readers long for escapism and with the exception of a few notable children's authors (Rowling, Pullman, etc), English language writers fail to deliver the goods.
Why is it that Spanish language writers seem so much more inventive and exciting than English language writers? English language writers seem trapped in a dreary cul de sac of gritty realism - I wish they would liberate their imaginations. I have not read a contemporary English language novelist for years because their works are usually dull and depressing. So many readers long for escapism and with the exception of a few notable children's authors (Rowling, Pullman, etc), English language writers fail to deliver the goods.
3boldface
>1 drasvola:
What an intriguing tale and a great opportunity for FS to commission a translation and bundle it with Shakespeare's (now In-)Complete Works and the Moby Dick LE . . . . An illustrator, anyone?
Well, I can dream, can't I?
>2 Quicksilver66:
I know what you mean, David. I read very little British fiction later than about 1960. My loss, I'm sure (before everyone rounds on me!)
What an intriguing tale and a great opportunity for FS to commission a translation and bundle it with Shakespeare's (now In-)Complete Works and the Moby Dick LE . . . . An illustrator, anyone?
Well, I can dream, can't I?
>2 Quicksilver66:
I know what you mean, David. I read very little British fiction later than about 1960. My loss, I'm sure (before everyone rounds on me!)
4drasvola
> 2, 3
It's a shortish novel (230 pages, large print) but the author has done his homework (he has a degree in English Philology) and has researched many resources (there is information on books on Shakespeare and on whaling mentioned in his note of acknowlegements).
While considering his plan to write the new play, Shakespeare recalls his life in London, the relationship with his wife, the death of his son, the development of the theatre, the rowdy audiences. Naturally, the role of Henry Wriothesley, who has his own ideas on how to deal with the whale and Shakespeare's project, is characterised with some feeling. Don't wish to mention any spoilers...
There are quite a few moments of philosophising by everyone involved.
I enjoyed the reading very much. By the way, the vessel is called the Nimrod.
Not likely that it will be translated into English, but who knows...
It's a shortish novel (230 pages, large print) but the author has done his homework (he has a degree in English Philology) and has researched many resources (there is information on books on Shakespeare and on whaling mentioned in his note of acknowlegements).
While considering his plan to write the new play, Shakespeare recalls his life in London, the relationship with his wife, the death of his son, the development of the theatre, the rowdy audiences. Naturally, the role of Henry Wriothesley, who has his own ideas on how to deal with the whale and Shakespeare's project, is characterised with some feeling. Don't wish to mention any spoilers...
There are quite a few moments of philosophising by everyone involved.
I enjoyed the reading very much. By the way, the vessel is called the Nimrod.
Not likely that it will be translated into English, but who knows...
5starkimarki
That whale looks rather to be a 'ravin'd salt-sea shark', perhaps they are harvesting maw and gulf?
6drasvola
> 5
You are right. The cover illustration is identified as 'Watson and the Shark' painted by John Singleton Copley. Poetic licence, no doubt.
You are right. The cover illustration is identified as 'Watson and the Shark' painted by John Singleton Copley. Poetic licence, no doubt.
7rampkr
'Watson and the Shark'?
Is that Holmes sitting at the back looking rather seasick?
This tale could grow.
Is that Holmes sitting at the back looking rather seasick?
This tale could grow.
8drasvola
From Wikipedia:
Copley's ... first foray into this genre was Watson and the Shark, its subject based on an incident related to the artist by Brook Watson, who had been attacked by a shark while swimming in Havana harbour as a 14-year-old boy. It is likely that Watson, who went on to a successful career despite the attack and the loss of his leg below the knee, commissioned the painting as a lesson for other unfortunates, including orphans like himself, in the fact that even the severest adversity can be overcome.
Copley's ... first foray into this genre was Watson and the Shark, its subject based on an incident related to the artist by Brook Watson, who had been attacked by a shark while swimming in Havana harbour as a 14-year-old boy. It is likely that Watson, who went on to a successful career despite the attack and the loss of his leg below the knee, commissioned the painting as a lesson for other unfortunates, including orphans like himself, in the fact that even the severest adversity can be overcome.
9wcarter
Drasvola, YOu could translate it into English and present it to the FS for publication. That would keep you busy for a day or two!
10drasvola
> 9
Yes, it would keep me busy for a while. My knowledge of nautical terms or whaling is not that vast... I'm sure that there are experienced and able translators out there to tackle the job. Since my retirement, I prefer above all a sedate session of quiet reading. Thanks for your kind suggestion.
Yes, it would keep me busy for a while. My knowledge of nautical terms or whaling is not that vast... I'm sure that there are experienced and able translators out there to tackle the job. Since my retirement, I prefer above all a sedate session of quiet reading. Thanks for your kind suggestion.
