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King of Shadows

susan cooper

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WHAT'S NAT DOING IN SHAKESPEARE'S TIME?Only in the world of the theater can Nat Field find an escape from the tragedies that have shadowed his young life. So he is thrilled when he is chosen to join an American drama troupe traveling to London to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in a new replica of the famous Globe theater.

Shortly after arriving in England, Nat goes to bed ill and awakens transported back in time four hundred years -- to another London, and another production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Amid the bustle and excitement of an Elizabethan theatrical production, Nat finds the warm, nurturing father figure missing from his life -- in none other than William Shakespeare himself. Does Nat have to remain trapped in the past forever, or give up the friendship he's so longed for in his own time?

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1,1999
Literary awards
rhode island teen book award, vermont golden dome book award, 

This edition

Format
192 pages, Paperback
Published
May 31, 2005 by Aladdin
ISBN
9781416905325
ASIN
1416905324
Language
English

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About the author

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susan cooper

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Susan Cooper's latest book is the YA novel "Ghost Hawk" (2013)

Susan Cooper was born in 1935, and grew up in England's Buckinghamshire, an area that was green countryside then but has since become part of Greater London. As a child, she loved to read, as did her younger brother, who also became a writer. After attending Oxford, where she became the first woman to ever edit that university's newspaper, Cooper worked as a reporter and feature writer for London's Sunday Times; her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Cooper wrote her first book for young readers in response to a publishing house competition; "Over Sea, Under Stone" would later form the basis for her critically acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence, "The Dark Is Rising." The fourth book in the series, "The Grey King," won the Newbery Medal in 1976. By that time, Susan Cooper had been living in America for 13 years, having moved to marry her first husband, an American professor, and was stepmother to three children and the mother of two.

Cooper went on to write other well-received novels, including "The Boggart" (and its sequel "The Boggart and the Monster"), "King of Shadows", and "Victory," as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays, many in collaboration with the actor Hume Cronyn, whom she married in 1996. Hume Cronyn died in 2003 and Ms. Cooper now lives in Marshfield MA. When Cooper is not working, she enjoys playing piano, gardening, and traveling.

Recent books include the collaborative project "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" and her biography of Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Her newest book is "Ghost Hawk."

Visit her Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/SusanCooperFanPage
www.facebook.com/GhostHawkBySusanCooper

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
33(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
ritoyuuki13
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Don't let the truly terrible, awful, and really really bad cover deceive you.

This book was actually wonderful. I had never heard of this book before, nor had I heard of this author. However, when someone mentioned that it was about a teenage boy being transported to Shakespearean times to stage a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, I was like "no need to say more" and downloaded it right away.

Since it's from the 90's, there are indeed some elements that felt a little outdated. Nevertheless, it addressed themes of masculinity and grief in an open and positive manner. Moreover, considering it's a YA book from the 90's, the writing was unexpectedly good. Honestly, this might very well be one of my favorite books of the year. I'm extremely happy that I read it.

I would highly recommend this book to others, despite its unappealing cover. It offers a unique and engaging story that explores important themes in a refreshing way.

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catwoman90808
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is such a truly wonderful book.

It was not just a childhood favorite but has endured and still stands as a cherished favorite for me even now.

I have an immense love for the historical imagery that Cooper so vividly paints. It is as if one can step right into that bygone era through the pages.

Moreover, the delicate relationship between Nat and Shakespeare is crafted with such finesse and skill. It is a relationship that unfolds beautifully, capturing the essence of friendship and mutual respect.

Overall, this is a fantastic Middle-grade read that has the power to transport readers to another time and engage them in a story that is both captivating and heartwarming.

It is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone, regardless of age, who enjoys a good historical adventure with a touch of magic and a whole lot of heart.
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Estonianbear
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book tells the story of a boy named Nathan Field who is going to play the role of Puck in the midsummer night's dream play with his theater team. But one day, in a strange way, he gets sick and when he wakes up from sleep, he finds himself in the 16th century. And in that time, someone with the same characteristics is also going to play the role of Puck, and these two people swap places in time. During this, Nathan meets William Shakespeare and the rest of the story unfolds.

What I found most appealing about this story was, first, the author's descriptions of 16th-century England. It was really an interesting subject for me, both in terms of culture, clothing, and the way people talked. Second, the attention and interest of the people in theater. It shows how important this art is to them. Third, the mention of the influence of theater on politics and other aspects was also very interesting. Although there was only a partial mention of it, this partial mention was also very interesting in a story whose general audience is considered children and teenagers. Overall, I enjoyed everything about the story and I recommend reading it.

Footnote: I changed the scoring system a bit. That is, in my opinion, all the books that can take a person to another world are extraordinary. But when it comes to comparison, I feel that I am being unfair to some famous books when I give them all high scores. So don't look at the three stars! The story is very good.

About the book: I liked the story. For me, it was like a movie, imagining Nathan Field in England back in 1599.

About the audio book: Jim Dale is just perfect! The way he narrates the books is like you are sitting in the middle of London, watching the characters talk to each other. I can't say how thrilled I was when I found out he is the narrator of King of Shadows in Audible.

From the book: "Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken. It says, loving doesn't change just because someone isn't there, or because time gets in the way, or even death. It's always with you, keeping you safe, it won't ever leave you.”
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Xie_lim15
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is an enjoyable historical middle grade read.

However, it does have some drawbacks. It can be a bit slow-paced at times, and there are a few instances where there is a lot of info-dumping.

That means that the author just throws a bunch of information at the reader without much of a plot to keep it interesting.

But if you're a sucker for Shakespeare, like I am, you will still enjoy it.

The details about Shakespeare and his time are quite fascinating.

I would recommend this book to older children and young adults who are interested in The Bard.

They will likely appreciate the historical context and the references to Shakespeare's works.

Overall, it's a good read, despite its flaws.
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sosmeos
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Shakespeare geeks and Bardinators, get ready to revel in Susan Cooper’s captivating time exchange novel.

The story is rich with a plethora of well-researched historical background, which lends an authenticity that makes it a truly memorable read.

Creating a believable time slip plot is no easy feat, especially when one of the main characters holds so much sway. How does one bring to life a genuine Shakespeare, a man of great influence yet so little known? Susan Cooper accomplishes this amazingly well, crafting a warm personality that is both effervescent with authority and filled with mystique.

Nat Field trades places with his 16th-century counterpart for one week, playing Puck opposite Shakespeare as Oberon. The novel is well-written, with the historical details being especially impressive. It offers a unique and engaging perspective on Shakespeare and his world, transporting readers back in time and immersing them in a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Whether you’re a die-hard Shakespeare fan or simply someone who enjoys a good time travel adventure, this novel is sure to delight.
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raingreen25
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A short and quick read, "All the World's a Page 2020" offers an interesting premise. Susan Cooper manages to capture the world of Shakespeare's London quite well.

However, when it comes to the characters and the story itself, I didn't find them overly exciting. There is a sense that a lot of things are rushed.

Many aspects are left unanswered, which can be a bit disappointing.

Despite this, the book does provide a glimpse into the era in which Shakespeare lived, which can be quite fascinating for those interested in that time period.

Whether you choose to read a book featuring Shakespeare as a character or one set during his lifetime, there is much to discover and explore.

Perhaps with a bit more development and attention to detail, this particular book could have been even more engaging.

Nevertheless, it still offers some value and can be a worthwhile read for those looking to learn more about Shakespeare and his world.
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WhimsicalWhy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had to read this for school.

I'm not saying it was a terrible book, but I don't really think it was worth my time.

If I hadn't been assigned it for school and if half my grade hadn't depended on it, I would never have picked it up. It was a book for a twelve-year-old, not a high school student.

It had an awesome storyline, good characters and a great ending, but it just lacked addictability. I fell asleep reading it.

Maybe it's because our teacher forced us to read it and said 50% of our grade depended on it. Maybe that's what made me dislike this book. I don't know.

It wasn't torture, but it also wasn't bliss. I never shook with excitement, got butterflies in my stomach and it definitely wasn't a topic I would discuss with friends.

For once, a book was just a book.

For me, books are fantasies and journeys, an escape when the world is hard. But this one was just words on a page, nothing more, nothing less.

Sorry all of you people who loved it.

I'm still confused about Arby though. What was going on there?

Anyway, it was just a book. It didn't give me feelings, despite the intriguing storyline, good ending and vocabulary.

I guess everyone has different tastes when it comes to books. Some people might find this book absolutely amazing and captivating, while others, like me, might not be as impressed.

Maybe if I had read it on my own accord, without the pressure of a school assignment and a grade depending on it, I would have had a different opinion.

But as it stands, this book just didn't do it for me. It was a mediocre read that I'm glad is over.

I'll be looking forward to finding a book that can truly transport me to another world and make me feel all the emotions that a great book should.

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roxysi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I must admit that I did not have a particularly enjoyable experience while reading this book.

The concept of Nat randomly traveling back in time felt rather far-fetched and failed to create a sense of believability within the story. As a result, I found it extremely difficult to form any kind of emotional connection with any of the characters.

Moreover, Susan Cooper's writing style, which involved the excessive use of lists, seemed rather cumbersome and detracted from the overall flow and rhythm of the narrative. It made the reading experience feel more like a chore than a pleasure.

In conclusion, while the book may have had some redeeming qualities, these flaws ultimately prevented me from fully engaging with and enjoying the story.
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