The Gentleman Poet: A Novel of Love, Danger, and Shakespeare's The Tempest

by Kathryn Johnson

Overview

“The Gentleman Poet is the best kind of historical novel—well researched, beautifully written, and wildly entertaining.”
—Daniel Stashower, author of The Beautiful Cigar Girl

 

The Gentleman Poet, author Kathryn Johnson’s novel of love, danger, and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, is a wonderful story that imagines a series of astonishing events that just might have inspired the immortal Bard to pen his magical tale. Told from the point of view of a young servant girl who strikes up a friendship with the not yet famous playwright when they are shipwrecked in the Bermudas, The Gentleman Poet gives a delightful new spin on Shakespearean lore reminiscent of the Academy Award-winning film, Shakespeare in Love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061965319
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/07/2010
Pages:	319
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

The author of more than forty published novels, Kathryn Johnson is an Agatha Award finalist and honoree of the American Library Association. She founded Write by You (www.writebyyou.com), an author's mentoring service, and teaches at the Writer's Center in Washington, D.C.

What People are Saying About This

Daniel Stashower

“The Gentleman Poet” is the best kind of historical novel — well researched, beautifully written and wildly entertaining.”

Editorial Reviews

Johnson imagines a backstory for Shakespeare's The Tempest in this entertaining tale of mystery, romance, and shipwreck. Recently orphaned, Elizabeth signs on as servant to the crabby benefactress of the Virginia Company, sailing with her from London to the newly founded Jamestown Colony. A colossal tempest strands the passengers and crew near the Bermuda islands, rumored to be inhabited by spirits and cannibals, but upon going ashore they discover a tropical paradise. When the ship's cook falls ill, Elizabeth takes charge of feeding the castaways. Her experiments with native herbs and vegetables are such a hit that she is soon cooking up great feasts for the group. (Johnson includes some of her recipes--for dishes like oyster stew and baygrape jelly.) When Elizabeth gives cooking lessons to her swarthy fellow cook, a romance, encouraged by the pair's mysterious friend William Strachey, blossoms. After William creates a play for the amusement of those stranded, Elizabeth--cast as Miranda--begins to unravel his true identity, and the bond they develop changes the course of her life. Johnson may not be Shakespeare, but her tribute is nevertheless a well-crafted drama. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

The Gentleman Poet” is the best kind of historical novel — well researched, beautifully written and wildly entertaining.” — Daniel Stashower, author of THE BEAUTIFUL CIGAR GIRL

From the Publisher

The Gentleman Poet” is the best kind of historical novel — well researched, beautifully written and wildly entertaining.

Daniel Stashower