This is the latest in a series of occasional posts featuring books I read years ago about which I was wildly enthusiastic at the time, wanting to press a copy in as many hands as I could.
Wise Children is my favourite Angela Carter novel. Stuffed full of Shakespearean references and written in language which is earthy, vivid and memorable, it’s steeped in show business from the Hazard Shakespearean dynasty to the music hall turns of the Chance twins.
On her seventy-fifth birthday, Dora Chance sits down to write her memoirs. She and her twin are the illegitimate daughters of the renowned Shakespearean actor Sir Melchior Hazard whose one-hundredth birthday is to be honoured at a magnificent party that evening. As Dora looks back over her life a tale unfolds of unacknowledged paternity, mistaken identities, twins at every turn, Shakespeare, Hollywood, music hall, discarded wives, glorious love and rollicking good times. Despite the social gulf that divides them and the refusal of Melchior to acknowledge the twins as his daughters, the paths of the Hazards and the Chances crisscross throughout their lives until the glorious finale, worthy of a Shakespearean Comedy, when all the players are assembled, identities revealed and more than a few home truths told.
A few years ago I took the plunge, rather apprehensively, and went to see Emma Rice’s adaptation of Carter’s novel largely on the strength of this review by Booksh Beck. It was fabulous, a wonderful, often raucous performance of which both the Chances and their creator would have been proud. Pandemic permitting, I hope there’ll be a chance to see it performed again some time.
What about you, any blasts from the past you’d like to share?
You can find more posts like this here.
I’m so pleased you got the chance to see this on stage! It was such a delight. Thanks for linking to my review. This has been my favourite Carter as well, probably tied with The Bloody Chamber (though I’ve only read five of her books so far).
It was an absolute delight from start to finish! My wariness was about the adaptation of a favourite as you can imagine. Have you read Nights at the Circus? Probably my second favourite Carter.
I did read Nights at the Circus, quite a few years back now, and didn’t like it as much. The Magic Toyshop will be my next one as my library has a copy.
There was a TV adaptation of The Magic Toyshop starring Tom Bell who was a superbly sinister Uncle Philip.
It’s been so long since I’ve read this one – you’ve made me want to reread it!
I hope you can find time for a reread, Cathy. It’s hugely entertaining.
I’ve not read the book (it is on my shelf though), but I really did enjoy the stage show which was on iplayer earlier this summer. I’d love to read it after seeing that.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, Annabel. A glorious piece of storytelling! I’m planning to hold out for another live performance but might succumb.
Love this! I didn’t make it to the live performance so like you I’m hoping for a revival.
Fingers crossed for that revival. Such a treat!
I absolutely loved Wise Children, and I can imagine a stage version being quite amazing. It lends itself perfectly to a theatrical adaptation.
Very much so. Rice combined music hall with Shakesperean motifs just as the book does.
Wow, I can’t even imagine this book being brought to screen. And, yet, I guess that’s appropriate. Carter is kind of a can’t-look-can’t-look-away kind of writer! (I’ve not read Wise Children, but I do intend to.)
It was adapted for theatre rather than screen, entirely appropriate given its subject matter! Fantastically well done. I loved it but have no idea when I might see it again given Covid 19 restrictions on performance. I hope you read it.
I really liked this one when I read it for my book club – twins and the stage are a winning combination!
Aren’t they just! The finale was particularly enjoyable.