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A review by roseice
Miranda and Caliban by Jacqueline Carey
3.0
Amazingly, I haven't read The Tempest; nor did I know anything about it before reading this book. Rather than priding myself in my knowledge of Shakespeare, I vastly enjoy discovering his stories one-by-one, in a random fashion, and being fascinated anew each time. I love Shakespeare, but I prefer my approach to him--rather than seeking his plays out, I take them when given to me. Through school, through chance, like in this case.
I want to read The Tempest now. This crap is right up my alley. Stranded on an island, living in a palace, elementals for servants, a spirit trapped in a tree, a concealed revenge, a daughter in servitude and a boy magically enthralled to slavery. It has every element of a fascinating story sharpened by dark conflicts. I loved the small things of this story--I loved not knowing anything about Prospero, and slowly learning about his plot, with Miranda. Miranda and Caliban's early friendship, before it became sodden with lust (and frankly disgusting). The salamander in Prospero's sanctum. Miranda's painting. Prospero's morning chanting.
Ariel's role--oh my word, Ariel. This was another measure of potential. I can't say what his role is in The Tempest, or if Carey was just following the original story, but he was such a richly sketched character, and I cannot tell you how much I wanted Prospero to refuse Ariel his freedom in the end, and for Ariel to act on the darkness that was brewing beyond his gaze in many instances. It would've been amazing to see Ariel destroy Prospero and Miranda to narrowly escape, but I feel like Ariel's role was far too neatly tied up.
Caliban was a fascinating character, but I came to truly dislike his relationship with Miranda. It's so obessive and later so physical it's truly disturbing to read about, and it loses all of its charm in becoming a beastly thing that too heavily emphasises sexuality. Realistically, both of them are at an age to be sexually curious, but in this case, it overpowers the story and overwhelms Caliban's characterisation, overshadowing and reversing the growth and maturity he was finding in the pages before he sees Miranda naked, and instead of fitting with the story, it just felt random--too much all at once. What was meaningful about their relationship was lost in it, and it was carnal to the point I felt like Miranda could be interchangable with any young lady--if there were any but Miranda on the island. Caliban just wanted a female body.
If their "romance" hadn't slapped me in the face, but instead developed in a meaningful way and then become physical... but alas. It is what it is. It unfortunately dampened much of the book for me. I found myself wanting to skip Caliban's point of view. Thereafter, I couldn't take him seriously. And the ending is less than satisfying for anyone who was cheering them on.
All in all, this was a fascinating, well-written story. I'm glad for this introduction to The Tempest!
I want to read The Tempest now. This crap is right up my alley. Stranded on an island, living in a palace, elementals for servants, a spirit trapped in a tree, a concealed revenge, a daughter in servitude and a boy magically enthralled to slavery. It has every element of a fascinating story sharpened by dark conflicts. I loved the small things of this story--I loved not knowing anything about Prospero, and slowly learning about his plot, with Miranda. Miranda and Caliban's early friendship, before it became sodden with lust (and frankly disgusting). The salamander in Prospero's sanctum. Miranda's painting. Prospero's morning chanting.
Ariel's role--oh my word, Ariel. This was another measure of potential. I can't say what his role is in The Tempest, or if Carey was just following the original story, but he was such a richly sketched character, and I cannot tell you how much I wanted Prospero to refuse Ariel his freedom in the end, and for Ariel to act on the darkness that was brewing beyond his gaze in many instances. It would've been amazing to see Ariel destroy Prospero and Miranda to narrowly escape, but I feel like Ariel's role was far too neatly tied up.
Caliban was a fascinating character, but I came to truly dislike his relationship with Miranda. It's so obessive and later so physical it's truly disturbing to read about, and it loses all of its charm in becoming a beastly thing that too heavily emphasises sexuality. Realistically, both of them are at an age to be sexually curious, but in this case, it overpowers the story and overwhelms Caliban's characterisation, overshadowing and reversing the growth and maturity he was finding in the pages before he sees Miranda naked, and instead of fitting with the story, it just felt random--too much all at once. What was meaningful about their relationship was lost in it, and it was carnal to the point I felt like Miranda could be interchangable with any young lady--if there were any but Miranda on the island. Caliban just wanted a female body.
If their "romance" hadn't slapped me in the face, but instead developed in a meaningful way and then become physical... but alas. It is what it is. It unfortunately dampened much of the book for me. I found myself wanting to skip Caliban's point of view. Thereafter, I couldn't take him seriously. And the ending is less than satisfying for anyone who was cheering them on.
All in all, this was a fascinating, well-written story. I'm glad for this introduction to The Tempest!