THE LADY OF SHALOTT

Côté’s illustrations catch the haunting tone of Tennyson’s Arthurian lyric, while adding several original touches. Weaving “a magic web of colours gay,” the Lady lives in happy isolation in a tower until she catches a glimpse of Lancelot—activating a curse that sends her lifeless body drifting downriver to Camelot. In the sketchy, modernist art, medieval passersby mix with more contemporary ones on the road below Shalott, traveling toward Camelot’s high-rise skyline by horse or automobile. And Lancelot cuts a stylish figure, wearing a long duster rather than armor, and goggles pushed up on a plumed hat. Côté also adds a brighter ending: After Lancelot’s closing observation that, even in death, “she has a lovely face,” a small figure rises on butterfly wings over the city. A classic poem, in an unconventional but sensitive and suitable setting. Includes long notes on poem and illustrator. (Poetry. 10-15)