A free and contemporary transposition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare, Chris Adrian’s new novel was published in January 2016 by Albin Michel publications. A night’s journey, surreal and magical, for both the reader and the heroes.
In San Francisco, three characters are going to experience an extraordinary night: Henry, Molly, and Will do not know each other, but on this summer evening, all three head to a party by crossing Buena Vista Park. They will get lost in this place that has become the refuge of Titania and Oberon, rulers of the legendary kingdom, who mourn the death of their son. Our three heroes will then find themselves plunged into a fantasy world, and the encounters they will have will be all the more astonishing.
Inspired by the famous Shakespearean play, Chris Adrian revisits this magical tale to anchor it in our reality. Molly, Will, and Henry are three people struck by the loss of a loved one due to a breakup or death. Each of them will face this unusual night in their own way and question the true nature of love. Through flashbacks, the author reveals pieces of their past stories, their childhood, and the choices they made to find themselves on this hill of Buena Vista Park on this June evening.
In parallel, Chris Adrian tells us the life of Titania and Oberon before the arrival of their son and after his death, deciphering the devastation of losing a child and its consequences on the couple. Adrian explores the mysteries of the heart and thus confronts two worlds, one real and the other fantastic, which will constantly collide throughout the novel.
While the story can leave some skeptical—particularly for readers who do not necessarily enjoy this blend of genres—Chris Adrian’s writing enchants. His whimsical and original style draws the reader into a magical world. There is no need to have read A Midsummer Night’s Dream to read this book. However, one must agree to be swept away into this world, into this unique universe, to fully experience this wild summer night…
