King of Shadows

King of Shadows

Company type	Novel
Industry	Publishing
Founded	1999
Founder	Susan Cooper
Products	Children's historical novel

King of Shadows is a historical novel for children authored by Susan Cooper, released in 1999 by Penguin in the United Kingdom. The book was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal as well as the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.

Plot

Nathan 'Nat' Field, a young thespian from Greenville, North Carolina, is approached by Arby, a theatre director, to become part of the Company of Boys. Their intention is to stage A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar at the newly reconstructed Globe Theatre in London, replicating Shakespeare's original period. Nat is assigned the roles of Puck and Pindarus. However, prior to their initial rehearsal, Nat becomes ill and awakens transported four centuries into the past, specifically to 1599—the year the original Globe Theatre was inaugurated. There, he encounters William Shakespeare and participates in performances as they were originally presented. Upon returning to his own era, Nat’s fellow actors Rachel Levin and Gil Warmun delve into the mystery surrounding his extraordinary link to the past.

Synopsis

Nathan Field, an accomplished youthful actor, arrives at London's recently restored Globe Theatre to portray Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. During rehearsals, Nat falls sick and finds himself in 1599 acting at the original Globe, sharing the stage with William Shakespeare himself. His journey brings thrilling adventures, peril, and the companionship he has long desired since losing his parents. Yet unresolved questions linger: what was the reason for his time travel, and will he be able to return?

Characters

Nathan 'Nat' Field – protagonist

1999

Arby Gil Warmun Rachel Levin Mr. Fisher Aunt Jen Pudding Face Eric Ferdie David Roper Ray Danza Joe Wilson Alan Wong

1599

Richard Burbage William Shakespeare Roper Queen Elizabeth I Will Kempe Richard Mulcaster Harry Sam and Henry Condell

Characters as characters in the play

1999

NEIGAA

Adaptations

In 2005, King of Shadows was adapted for theatre by the New York State Theatre Institute (NYSTI), with P. J. Verhoest portraying Nat, David Bunce as Shakespeare, John Romeo as Burbage, and Aaron Marquise playing Roper.

See also

• Shakespearean English
• Time travel in fiction

External links

• — first UK edition