I do not know if the author was given a free hand or whether some fault lies with the editors. From the flowered legs of bellbottom jeans to the smack of doubledutch ropes on the playground, new boy captures the spirit of not only the era, with its casual racism, but the essence of a 70s childhood as well. Her father was a photographer who worked with the washington post for more than 30 years. Its a tensionfilled gripping tale you wont want to put down. She has a ba in english from oberlin college, ohio and an ma in creative writing from the university of east anglia, norwich, england. For me new boy surpassed the others for its setting and young characters. Information and news about tracy chevalier, author of seven novels including girl with a pearl earring. Tracy chevalier was born on october 19, 1962, in washington, d. Before you read it, before you even hear other peoples opinion of it, you know this is a book for you. Sep 17, 2019 tracy chevaliers new boy illuminates the peculiar trials of our era. Tracy chevalier talks about her new novel a single thread. Ron charles ron charles writes about books for the washington post. I havent picked one up for years and now there are two at once.
In the fifth of the hogarth press shakespeare series, new boy, tracy chevalier transplants her version of shakespeares othello from 16th century venice and cyprus to a 1970s washington d. Set during the 1970s, its authenticity brought back memories of my own childhood. Listen to an interview with her on the shakespeare unlimited podcast. New boy takes place in an elementary school in a washington suburb. The novel was commissioned by hogarth press as part of its. Tracy chevalier novella retells othello as the new boy. It is part of the hogarth shakespeare project, a group of novels written based on shakespeare plays. Two years ago i was asked by hogarth press to take part in their shakespeare project, in which writers are invited to. Character,challenges, setting, pace, resolution, a ha moments, fun, good words and above all soul satisfying. Her mother died in 1970, when chevalier was eight years old. Tracy chevalier brings shakespeares othello a harrowing drama of jealousy and revenge to a 1970s era elementary school playground.
Tracy chevalier may be best known for her second novel girl with a pearl earring, which has sold more than five million copies. Arriving at his fourth school in six years, diplomats son osei kokote knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first day so hes lucky to hit it off with dee, the most popular girl in school. Arriving at his fifth school in as many years, diplomats son osei kokote knows he needs an ally if. Tracy chevalier is the new york times bestselling author of nine previous novels, including girl with a pearl earring, which has been translated into thirtynine languages and made into an oscarnominated film. The story takes place in 1970s washington, on the grounds of an elementary school. The tragedy of othello is transposed to a 1970s suburban washington schoolyard in tracy chevaliers powerful drama of friends torn apart. Tracy chevaliers retelling of othello is the latest in the shakespeare series from the hogarth press. Tracy chevalier, author of girl with a pearl earring, takes on the tragedy of othello in her latest novel, part of the hogarth shakespeare series.
New boy is a modern retelling of othello by tracy chevalier, author of girl with a pearl earring. May 23, 2017 there is also an unexpected homophobic sideswipe. Born and raised in washington, dc, she lives in london with her husband and son. Tracy chevalier on new boy, her retelling of shakespeare. Part of the hogarth press shakespeare retellings series, chevaliers new boy is a retelling of othello, featuring a class of grade 6 children at. Four hundred years on from shakespeare, humans have not changed much. New boy is a very tightly wound, compact retelling of othello, that retains the originals exploration of love and betrayal, racism, strength and weakness, but transforms the situation to an elementary school and setting the conflict between adolescents, which heightens the tension and pathos for the reader. Every book published in the hogarth shakespeare series has been memorable and for all the right reasons. Well, thats how i felt about new boy by tracy chevalier, a modern adaptation of shakespeares othello. In the book, violet thinks about many invisible jobs in a cathedral, comparing it to a. She is the daughter of douglas and helen nee werner chevalier. Tracy chevalier does a fine job turning the classic, passionate tragedy into a.
New boy features a full cast of characters of different races, genders, and ages. Following on from the quirky, inoffensive vinegar girl retelling the taming of the shrew is new boy, tracey chevaliers reworking of othello. Chevalier isnt wrong that these were the attitudes of the period but, since this is literally the only time queerness appears in new boy, a half page of reported homophobia feels, to say the least, excessive. Jul, 2017 in the fifth of the hogarth press shakespeare series, new boy, tracy chevalier transplants her version of shakespeares othello from 16th century venice and cyprus to a 1970s washington d. In the book, violet thinks about many invisible jobs in a cathedral, comparing it to a department store. It is set in the 1970s on a suburban school playground taking place over a single school day with recesses and lunch breaks creating the acts. May 11, 2017 new boy by tracy chevalier arriving at his fifth school in as many years, a diplomats son, osei kokote, knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first day so hes lucky to hit it off with dee, the most popular girl in school. I would probably have given it 3 stars, if it had been written by a lesser author, but coming from tracy chevalier, i expected better. Today if a black boy walked onto an allwhite playground, as osei does at the beginning of new boy, he may not have an ian latch on to him and torment him into violence. May 17, 2018 tracy chevalier s powerful drama of friends torn apart by jealousy, bullying and betrayal will leave you reeling mumsnet new boy is in the tradition of movies such as 10 things i hate about you or west side story, or toni morrisons play desdemona. May 16, 2017 tracy chevaliers new boy retells the story of shakespeares othello and is the latest book in the hogarth shakespeare series, in which chevalier joins authors like anne tyler and margaret atwood in writing modernday reimaginings of shakespeare plays. On saturday i read a book recommended by jos book blog, and i absolutely loved it. Also by tracy chevalier the virgin blue girl with a pearl earring falling angels the lady and the unicorn burning bright remarkable creatures the last runaway at the edge of the orchard reader, i married him editor new boy is a work of fiction. Click to read more about new boy by tracy chevalier.
Bullies, a betrayer and one romantic admirer shakespeare is transplanted. In new boy, tracy chevalier transplants the tale of othello to a 1970s suburban d. Tracy chevaliers new boy illuminates the peculiar trials. Winner of best narrative short at the 2008 tribeca film. Knowing othello is a tragedy, readers begin the novel with dread, aware that at. Tracy chevalier is the new york times bestselling author of eight previous novels, including girl with a pearl earring, which has been translated into 39 languages and made into an oscarnominated film. I knew it was going to be a hit with me, i love shakespeare, so i even made it a pick for the stacks book club. New boy is a very tightly wound, compact retelling of othello, that retains the originals exploration of love and betrayal, racism, strength and weakness, but. May 04, 2017 author tracy chevalier on her novel new boy a retelling of othello set in 1970s washington dc, with a cast of 11 year olds. New boy by tracy chevalier penguin books new zealand. She is a fellow of the royal society of literature, and has honorary doctorates from her alma maters oberlin college and the.
Books by tracy chevalier author of girl with a pearl earring. Tracy chevalier on new boy, her retelling of shakespeares. New boy by tracy chevalier penguin random house audio. Tracy chevalier is best known for her historical novels, including the international bestseller girl with a pearl earring and, most recently, at the edge of the orchard. May 16, 2017 tracy chevaliers new boy illuminates the peculiar trials of our era. New boy by tracy chevalier overdrive rakuten overdrive. But his difference will still be noted, and possibly acted upon. Have you ever picked up a book thinking, this is my kind of book. Tracy chevalier brings shakespeares othelloa harrowing drama of jealousy and revengeto a 1970s era elementary school playground. Tracy chevaliers new boy illuminates the peculiar trials of our era. May 11, 2017 i have read all of tracy chevalier s novels and enjoyed and appreciated them all until i read new boy. Tracy chevalier on her novel new boy, a modern retelling.
New boy by tracy chevalier, is a modern retelling of the play othello. Jun 07, 2018 well, thats how i felt about new boy by tracy chevalier, a modern adaptation of shakespeares othello. Chevalier possesses a great talent for invoking a sense of time and place in her novels, and this one is no exception. I have read all of tracy chevaliers novels and enjoyed and appreciated them all until i read new boy.
The hogarth shakespeare series continues to strike me as an. Im a great admirer of chevalier and her concept is clever to set the story. Her fascination with art and history saturates her work, bringing it to vibrant life. Tracy chevalier was born in washington, dc but has lived in england all her adult life. Two years ago i was asked by hogarth press to take part in their shakespeare project, in which writers are invited to write a novel inspired by a shakespeare play. The riveting story takes place in one day on the grounds of an elementary school. Othello becomes osei kokote, the son of a diplomat enduring his fifth first day at school in five years, and desdemona becomes dee, the golden girl of the sixth grade. The hardest part of new boy to discuss is the plot. Tracy chevalier on her novel new boy, a modern retelling of. Author tracy chevalier on her novel new boy a retelling of othello set in 1970s washington dc, with a cast of 11 year olds. New boy by tracy chevalier intellectus speculativus.
May 15, 2017 tracy chevalier may be best known for her second novel girl with a pearl earring, which has sold more than five million copies. This is the fifth in an ongoing series of shakespeare plays reimagined as novels, and sees the. Nov 28, 2009 a young african boy with a haunting back story starts school in ireland, and finds out quickly exactly what it means to be the new kid. Buy new boy by tracy chevalier from waterstones today.
Chevaliers story is in a novel form, not a play script, which made it easier to read. Knowing othello is a tragedy, readers begin the novel with dread. Tracy chevalier s retelling of othello is the latest in the shakespeare series from the hogarth press. Tracy chevaliers new boy begins as the titular new boy o, the son of a ghanian diplomat, starts his first day as the only black child at an allwhite, suburban washington d. A conversation with tracy chevalier what was it about othello that compelled you to select this particular play, over shake. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Mar 14, 2020 information and news about tracy chevalier, author of seven novels including girl with a pearl earring. But seeing the schools only black boy woo a white girl is too much for ian, a schoolyard bully, and he hatches a. Tracy chevalier books list of books by author tracy. Tracy chevalier made her first bold stroke on the canvas of the literary world with 1999s girl with a pearl earring, which took readers inside the mysterious vermeer painting of the same name. New boy by tracy chevalier 2017, hardcover at the best online.
Two years ago i was asked by hogarth press to take part in their shakespeare project, in which writers are invited to write a. New boy by tracy chevalier arriving at his fifth school in as many years, a diplomats son, osei kokote, knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first day so hes lucky to hit it off with dee, the most popular girl in school. Tracy chevalier, author of girl with a pearl earring, takes on the tragedy of othello in her latest novel, new boy, part of the hogarth shakespeare series. Tracy chevaliers powerful drama of friends torn apart by jealousy, bullying and betrayal will leave you reeling mumsnet new boy is in the tradition of movies such as 10 things i hate about you or west side story, or toni morrisons play desdemona.
May 16, 2017 as her contribution to the hogarth shakespeare series of contemporary retellings of the bards works, chevalier at the edge of the orchard, 2016, etc. Tracy chevalier brings shakespeares harrowing drama of jealousy and revenge to a 1970s era elementary school playground. Arriving at his fifth school in as many years, diplomats son osei kokote knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first dayso hes lucky to hit it off with dee, the most popular girl in school. Tracy chevalier books list of books by author tracy chevalier. Tracy chevalier does a fine job turning the classic, passionate tragedy. Then he clenched his hand into a fist and held it high, all the while staring fiercely down at mr.
689 158 1562 1342 376 1296 64 1403 119 1190 994 490 1396 966 793 1068 506 300 462 1091 398 1125 118 549 274 1464 379 683 1673 1370 148 1140 595 545 1556 562 103 1364 894 15 318 425 935 1467