Words by Richard Appignanesi
Art by Nana Li
"If music be the food of love, play on!" It is Christmas in Illyria, but Countess Olivia's household is far from merry. Her lovelorn suitor pines for her in vain; her puritanical butler spreads chilly disapproval on her drunken uncle; and even her jester is sad. But when a set of twins are shipwrecked on separate parts of the coast, the comedy of confused identity and true love that follows melts the ice and warms things up. This original manga recreation of Shakespeare's most glittering seasonal comedy relocates the action to a steampunk-inspired 19th century – the era that invented the modern Christmas.
Twelfth Night is part of Manga Shakespeare, a series of graphic novel adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays. Drawing inspiration from Japan and using Shakespeare's original texts, this series – adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by leading manga artists – brings to life the great Bard's words for students, Shakespeare enthusiasts and manga fans.
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