The Lady Of Shalott

by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Charles Keeping (Illustrator)

Overview

Four gray walls, and four gray towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.

Tennyson's romantic poem, full of atmosphere and emotion, tells the story of the mysterious Lady of Shalott. In this exquisite illustrated edition, Charles Keeping's evocative pictures take us to Camelot, a fabled world of knights and castles, to witness the cursed life and tragic death of a beautiful but doomed maiden. This new edition features rescanned artwork to capture the inspiring detail of Keeping's illustrations and a striking new cover.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192794437
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/01/2015
Edition description:	New
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	NP (what's this?)

About the Author

Charles Keeping was the two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 7 Up-This lyrical poem, written nearly 200 years ago, has been given new life through Cote's intelligent artistry. Tennyson's strict stanzas move back and forth in dialogue with the playful, stylized, mixed-media illustrations. The poem's symbolism has been interpreted variously as a work about the isolation of the artist, the inevitability of death, and unrequited love. The art offers room for readers to wander and wonder within the realm of suggestion. Cote's illustrations allow the poem to speak its full range; however, the theme of love is strongly suggested by the depiction of a couple on the opening page glancing over the water to the island where the Lady of Shalott resides alone. Admirably, the art does not depict the Lady of Shalott as a tragic figure; after she declares that she is `"half sick of shadows,"' she takes flight from the world of mirrored images as if a butterfly from a chrysalis. The artist's reapers are sinister and humorous; their dark glasses situate them in the modern era. There are industrialized urban centers, bridges, and automobiles. Fans will be born of both Tennyson and Cote. Begin the enchantment early: introduce this volume to students, middle school and up.-Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Cote's illustrations catch the haunting tone of Tennyson's Arthurian lyric, while adding several original touches. Weaving "a magic web of colours gay," the Lady lives in happy isolation in a tower until she catches a glimpse of Lancelot-activating a curse that sends her lifeless body drifting downriver to Camelot. In the sketchy, modernist art, medieval passersby mix with more contemporary ones on the road below Shalott, traveling toward Camelot's high-rise skyline by horse or automobile. And Lancelot cuts a stylish figure, wearing a long duster rather than armor, and goggles pushed up on a plumed hat. Cote also adds a brighter ending: After Lancelot's closing observation that, even in death, "she has a lovely face," a small figure rises on butterfly wings over the city. A classic poem, in an unconventional but sensitive and suitable setting. Includes long notes on poem and illustrator. (Poetry. 10-15)

Kirkus Reviews

[Limpid and lovely.

The Globe and Mail

Cote’s quiet line-and-watercolor and pastel artwork opens up the story, preserving the romance and mystery.

Booklist

Though the poem traditionally takes us on a woman’s tragic journey toward death, the artist sees it as a happy journey toward independence.

Washington Post