Come Like Shadows

Come Like Shadows follows teenager Kinny, who joins her father at the Stratford Festival where he works as a set designer for a new production of Macbeth. Upon arrival at the theater, she encounters an old mirror with connections to the past and to Shakespeare's infamous "Scottish Play." The mirror serves as a portal between present-day Stratford and 11th century Scotland, pulling Kinny into a world where the historical events that inspired Macbeth are playing out in real time. As rehearsals for the modern production progress, the boundaries between past and present begin to blur. The story interweaves elements of Shakespeare's play, theater folklore, and time travel while exploring themes of fate, free will, and the power of stories to shape reality. Through its parallel narratives, the novel examines how history and legend intersect, and questions whether knowing the future means having the power to change it.

Reviews indicate readers find this YA novel combines Shakespeare's Macbeth with contemporary teen drama at a theater festival. Readers appreciate: - The accurate portrayal of theater production and backstage dynamics - The integration of Celtic mythology with Shakespeare - Complex relationships between the characters - The atmospheric Canadian setting Common criticisms: - Confusing plot that jumps between reality and supernatural elements - Some found the protagonist Kinny difficult to relate to - Several note the ending feels rushed - Romance subplot strikes some as forced Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (based on 41 ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (based on 3 reviews) One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The theater details felt authentic but the supernatural elements needed more explanation." Another noted: "Strong start but loses focus in the final third." Limited online reviews exist for this 1995 book, with most commentary appearing on educational and library websites.

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🎭 The novel interweaves Shakespeare's "Macbeth" with modern-day drama at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, where the story is set. 🏆 Welwyn Wilton Katz received the International Reading Association Young Adult Choice Award for this book in 1995. ✨ The title "Come Like Shadows" is taken directly from Macbeth's Act 4, Scene 1: "Come like shadows, so depart." 🎬 The book explores the legend of the "Scottish Play" curse - the theatrical superstition that misfortune follows productions of Macbeth. 📚 Though written for young adults, the novel delves into complex themes of Celtic mythology, time travel, and the blurred lines between reality and performance.