As You Like It from Shakespeare Stories by Leon Garfield

Gr 6—10—Shakespeare's comedy is re-imagined here as a short novel (Houghton Mifflin, 1991). When Celia's father usurps her cousin Rosalind's father, the Duke, for control of the court, the two girls are banished to the Forests of Arden. They disguise themselves as boys, and Rosalind encounters her true love, Orlando, pining for her in the forest. Disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind counsels Orlando and attempts to cure him of his love. The story abounds in mistaken identities, gender bending, and love affairs, but all's well that ends well with four weddings in the pastoral forest. Clare Higgins has a pleasing British accent and delivers a rapid-fire telling. Listeners new to the story will quickly become lost with dozens of characters and multiple double identities. Teachers who want a quick introduction to the play may find the audiobook useful as it includes a plot summary, an introduction to Shakespeare, and information on Shakespeare today. Students who want to skip the Cliff Notes will also appreciate this short audiobook.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK