March 1, 2003
Bruce Coville's latest adaptation of one of the Bard's masterpieces, William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, illus. by Tim Raglin, will forsooth elicit applause-and laughter-from youngsters as it transports them to ancient Illyria where not all is as it appears. With an abundance of quotations from the original play plus smooth scene transitions, the accessible narrative reveals the plot's ample comical convolutions, put into merry motion with the shipwrecked Viola's decision to disguise herself as a young man to gain entry into the court of Duke Orsino. Raglin's earth-toned, etching-like art enhances the robust humor with its caricature portraits of the players.