Davis+LENS1+King+of+Shadows

Mary Kate Davis Lit. for Young Adults Dr. Sherry February 7, 2012 Reader as Writer: //King of Shadows// In this book, Susan Cooper creates a story that is quite fantastical while still incorporating aspects that would be relatable to the intended audience. I found Cooper’s style very accessible. The style of her writing uses sensory elements, such as descriptions of the fetid streets of 1599 London. It adds a feeling of reality to what would otherwise seem impossible. What I find most interesting about this is how she describes the scenes of the past so vividly then juxtaposes them with short chapters of stage direction for present day events.

I was really intrigued by the choice to combine the two different forms of prose and script writing. Before reading this, I would think an unusual move such as that would detract from the goal of the text. I would have figured that it would break the work up and essentially pull the reader out of the story. But Cooper uses the present day rehearsals to introduce small quotes from the play to familiarize the reader with that style. Then Chapter five is composed solely of stage direction.

I found the switch important for two different reasons. First, Cooper creates the sense that the present day is a “play” therefore making Nat’s experiences with Shakespeare more real. This draws the reader deeper into those moments. But as a writer, what I found to be most important about this decision is that it adds a unique depth to the text.

In choosing Shakespeare as a main character, it will immediately bring certain ideas about his work to the mind of the reader. Even someone who has never read a single thing by Shakespeare will most likely recognize the name as one of the most important figures in literature. If the reader enjoys the book as a whole, this might encourage him to further investigate Shakespeare. I found it to be an important tool to pay homage to the great writer as well as encouraging readers to learn more.

Not only could this help readers decide investigate Shakespeare, but other types of writing they may not have yet encountered such as plays. Readers may greatly broaden their reading lists after being introduced to a book like this. I think it is important as a writer to create a piece that inspires readers to keep on reading, even if it isn’t your own work.

This combination element is bold move. I would like to try something similar in my writing. I think it is duty of a good writer to push readers and let them discover new things. Reading is learning even in a three line poem or a 1,000 page novel. Writers must find effective ways to facilitate that learning. I think Cooper found an impressive way to combine different types of writing that will pique a young reader’s curiosity. As a writer I’m excited to explore this and similar techniques the stray from typical writing. I hope the different choices I use in my writing not only make it seem unique to the readers, but also pushes them to want to read more.