Pocket the Fool, the foul-mouthed jester from Moore’s previous work, travels to thirteenth-century Venice alongside his apprentice and a grumpy monkey. He soon finds himself ensnared in a lethal conspiracy orchestrated by Senator Brabantio, Antonio, and Iago. After surviving an assassination attempt in the canals, Pocket seeks revenge against these noblemen. The plot weaves together the storylines of Shakespeare’s Othello and The Merchant of Venice, incorporating a literal sea monster and a reimagined version of Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado to drive the chaotic narrative.
This mashup appeals to readers who enjoy irreverent historical fiction and those who appreciate clever subversions of classic literature. It is written for an audience that values profanity-laced wit over traditional reverence for the Bard. Readers gain a fast-paced lesson in how disparate literary tropes can be fused into a single farce. By the end, the audience walks away with a cynical, comedic perspective on Renaissance politics and the absurdity of tragic character motivations.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2014
- Language
- EN
