Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood
Next meeting: Monday, November 27
Moderator: Susan Woodhams
William Shakespeare's The Tempest retold as Hag-Seed
Felix is at the top of his game as Artistic Director of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival. His productions have amazed and confounded. Now he's staging a Tempest like no other: not only will it boost his reputation, it will heal emotional wounds.
Or that was the plan. Instead, after an act of unforeseen treachery, Felix is living in exile in a backwoods hovel, haunted by memories of his beloved lost daughter, Miranda. And also brewing revenge.
After twelve years, revenge finally arrives in the shape of a theatre course at a nearby prison. Here, Felix and his inmate actors will put on his Tempest and snare the traitors who destroyed him. It's magic! But will it remake Felix as his enemies fall?
Margaret Atwood’s novel take on Shakespeare’s play of enchantment, retribution, and second chances leads us on an interactive, illusion-ridden journey filled with new surprises and wonders of its own.
New for February:
Next meeting: Monday, November 27
Moderator: Susan Woodhams
William Shakespeare's The Tempest retold as Hag-Seed
Felix is at the top of his game as Artistic Director of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival. His productions have amazed and confounded. Now he's staging a Tempest like no other: not only will it boost his reputation, it will heal emotional wounds.
Or that was the plan. Instead, after an act of unforeseen treachery, Felix is living in exile in a backwoods hovel, haunted by memories of his beloved lost daughter, Miranda. And also brewing revenge.
After twelve years, revenge finally arrives in the shape of a theatre course at a nearby prison. Here, Felix and his inmate actors will put on his Tempest and snare the traitors who destroyed him. It's magic! But will it remake Felix as his enemies fall?
Margaret Atwood’s novel take on Shakespeare’s play of enchantment, retribution, and second chances leads us on an interactive, illusion-ridden journey filled with new surprises and wonders of its own.
New for February:
Solo
by Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess (Goodreads Author)
Moderator: Janice Kriegel
Solo, a YA novel in poetic verse, tells the story of seventeen-year-old Blade Morrison, whose life is bombarded with scathing tabloids and a father struggling with just about every addiction under the sun—including a desperate desire to make a comeback. Haunted by memories of his mother and his family’s ruin, Blade’s only hope is in the forbidden love of his girlfriend. But when he discovers a deeply protected family secret, Blade sets out on a journey across the globe that will change everything he thought to be true. (less)
I enjoyed this book and it had a profound affect on me to see Felix get pushed out of his job by others. He was forced into retirement but instead of enjoying himself, he spent many years trying to get revenge. I kept thinking, "let it go, they're not worth it". He could have tried to get his job back after they left and moved into politics. I love how the dirt bags became politicians, who only work in their own best interest. Sound familiar?
ReplyDeleteI did love the parallels in the story between the play and the life of Felix. The island represented the prison that Felix worked in and each person had a role, including his deceased daughter who took on the role of Ariel. Felix was Prospero.
I also enjoyed reading about how he taught the prisoners. His lessons were active and engaging. Felix gave his students choices, which helped with behavior issues. I used some of these methods when I taught too! The book was enjoyable and could be used in a 9th grade English class. In health classes, there are lessons on building relationships and which actions would lead to mistrust.
Solo by Kwame Alexander was a fun book to read! I enjoyed the chaos of Blade's family, his sister Stormy and dad, Rutherford are full of antics that drive Blade crazy! Blade has first world problems, and he begins to realize this after visiting Ghana to look for his biological mother, Lucy November.
ReplyDeleteI think our students would like this story because of all of Blade's dysfunctional family. I could use the story of Rutherford showing up to Blade's graduation and slamming into the stage and then vomiting in front of all of the families to ask the kids how they would feel if that happened to them. I would then ask them to write if they've ever been embarrassed by their parents and how they reacted.
Blade's reaction was to avoid his dad until he left for rehab. Do our students ever avoid a situation or relationship that makes them feel awkward? After Blade's argument with Stormy, he finds out that he is adopted and he wants to reunite with his birth mother. When Blade arrives in Ghana, he meets Joy, who inspires him every day with her words and actions. Blade realizes that money cannot buy happiness when he see how poor the villagers are but they are happy in life. Blade makes a connection with Sia, which means helper, and he begins to play and take care of her. Sia is full of life and brings out the best in people. Blade is embarrassed when his father shows up in Ghana to help Blade find his biological mother. His dad always needs to be the center of attention and that is a difficult concept for Blade. Both Blade and his dad learn about each other in Ghana.
To use this in class, I would ask the students "what is the true meaning of happiness?". How can we find happiness in our lives? How do we treat others? Who do you feel you connect with most in the story? Blade, Rutherford, Stormy, Joy, Sia, Robert or the sober coach? Why?
I think our kids would enjoy this book!