The Fool’s Girl
In London, in the year 1601, Violetta, ‘The Fool’s Girl’, is a determined young woman who strives to restore a stolen relic to her sacked country of Illyria. She has help with her quest in the person of Feste, the fool, who is her devoted servant, dedicated to protecting her. Malvolio is the evil force behind the relic’s abduction. However, they need further help to stop him achieve his wicked plan for power.
William Shakespeare is enjoying success at The Globe. He leaves one night and is mesmerized by a fool and his assistant as they perform for the crowd. Violetta and Feste spin him their tale and hook his curiosity. He becomes their friend and aids them in their quest.
The fate of Illyria and Viola, Violetta’s mother, is told in flashback through the characters’ own viewpoints. William is drawn to the story and soon finds himself summoned by Queen Elizabeth’s Secretary of State, Robert Cecil. The adventure to find the relic and bring down Malvolio gains pace, becoming a chase of life and death for those involved.
Violetta’s love, Stephano, also from Illyria, provides an element of romance in this cleverly woven adventure. The character Feste adds his own sense of mystery and is an intriguing character. The Elizabethan period is presented to the reader through and around the plot in a clearly visible manner. The story moves apace and the mixture of fictional and actual characters are totally believable.
Those who are not familiar with the era or Shakespeare’s work, especially Twelfth Night, may miss some of the book’s subtleties, but will still enjoy a really original and entertaining novel.
