Elderly Miss Ophelia, the prompter in a failed theater, collects shadows that do not belong to anyone and teaches them to perform the greatest comedies and tragedies of the world.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
"There was once a little old lady called Ophelia who lived in a little old town." With a voice too soft to be an actress, Ophelia devotes her life to art as a prompter in her town's theater, committing to memory the great dramas. When the theater is forced to close, the bereft old lady encounters Shady, one of the world's unwanted shadows, in the shuttered theater and gives him a home. Miss Ophelia takes in many abandoned shadows, and teaches them her beloved plays, but an increase in rent forces the kind soul from her lodgings. The shadows come to the rescue of their benefactress by performing the works she has taught them; the fame of Ophelia's Shadow Theatre grows. Now an entrepreneur, Ophelia is approached by one last shadow seeking a home--"They call me Death." Miss Ophelia meets her dear shadows again at the gates of Heaven and, in Ophelia's Theatre of Light, they perform for the angels "the beautiful language of the poets." Ende ( The Never end ing Story) has penned a superb story: a fable where good triumphs, and where artistry and humanity reign. Translator Bell has captured the essence of this fragile yet enduring lady in simple and moving language. Hechelmann's mystical paintings are a joy in themselves; they radiate with feeling and advance Ende's text magnificently. Although perhaps not for every taste, this is a work to be savored by sensitive and mature readers. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up-- Although the theme and length of Ende's narrative place this story beyond the traditional picture-book set, the illustrations create an emotional impact that could not be supplied through words alone. Miss Ophelia, now an old lady, has spent her life prompting actors. When her small theatre closes, she takes in shadows who belong to no one. Nevermore, All Alone, Dark Dismay, and others join her company, to whom she teaches the world's great comedies and tragedies. Driven from the city, Ophelia travels from town to town with her theatre toupe, giving performances until she encounters the greatest shadow of all, Death. Now her shadows act out tales for the angels. Both text and illustrations possess a somewhat surreal quality. Whether capturing Ophelia's desolation after her rejection by the townspeople or the glory of her entrance into Heaven, Hechelmann's stunning illustrations will captivate viewers. Although the story may not have broad appeal, this special book deserves a place on library shelves. --Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kindly old woman takes in unwanted, homeless shadows,
By A Customer
This review is from: Ophelia's Shadow Theatre (Hardcover)
Kindly old woman loses her job and place in society when she loses her job as a prompter in a theater. She begins taking in unwanted, homeless shadows because she knows how they feel. Teaches about love, compassion and substitute families. Beautiful, dreamy illustrations show the frailty of Ophelia and the light within the shadows. Not for everyone, but will speak to the heart.
5.0 out of 5 stars
rare magic,
By rebecca "sturmkit" (tunkhannock, pa) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Ophelia's Shadow Theatre (Hardcover)
I read this book a very long time ago, but I have never forgotten it. Ophelia, the daughter of two actors, has a very small voice and learned all the great plays by sitting just off stange in the wings, whispering the lines to the actors just in case they forgot them.one day, somehow, she begins to colelct shadows. they have no place to go; their sources have disappeared, so they are in effect, homeless. Ophelia takes them in, and they live in her purse (because Old Lady purses have all the room in the world...) and at night, on her bedroom wall and ceiling, they perform the great plays as she whispers the lines to them. eventually in order tor aise money, the shadows decide to shadow theatre; a sheet is strung, and they perform all the great plays. They become famous, and theye arn money for Ophelia enough for her to keep her apartment, and to get a car. (SPOILER..) One day, her car breaks down, and another shadow arrives for her, homeless. "Who are you? do you need a home?" "I am death. Will you still take me in?" Ophelia thinks for a moment, and then nods. whens he gets to Heaven, she is surrounded by all of these people who are waving to her, caling out to her, giving her hugs and kisses. She finally asks, "do I know you?" and they smile and ask, "don't you recognize us? We are the shadows you took in." And then they once again perform the great plays and several news ones, inw hat is renamed Ophelia's theatre of Light... This is a rare book. Hard to find (or it was for me) and a rare book in the way it handles death. It is beautiful. And note parents, and adults, that Ophelia chooses to take in Death. she's not scared. She's not screaming. It's just a gentle moment soon followed by the scene in Heaven. So this could be a lovely book to help ease a child's heart if they are aching (or an adult's as well). I love this book. It is sophisticated and elegant, andthere is nothing else like it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spiritual story with beautiful illustrations,
This review is from: Ophelia's Shadow Theatre (Hardcover)
Always expect the impossible with Ende; as the Neverending Story fascinates and expands the concept of reality for chlildren, even 5 year olds, this story too moves us beyond the expected. The story is touching and mysterious, and it reaches a point that could be the end, but the author instead takes us into the afterlife. Younger children who have not dealt with the concept of death may find the plot twist disturbing, but most great fairy tales (especially German ones) aren't sugar coated, afterall. The illustrations are dramatic and beautiful, and the story is inspiring and transcends expectations.
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