The Merchant of Venice

Masterfully rendered, this book captured the humor, conflict, and romance of the original play as intended by William Shakespeare. "All that glisters is not gold..." Seeking the hand of the rich heiress Portia, Bassanio realizes the need to make an impression—and that costs money. Antonio (his fat-cat friend in the city) is on the hand to oblige—but there's a problem with cash—flow, so an interest-free loan is secured from the sinister banker Shylock, whose sole terms require the forfeit of a pound of Antonio's flesh in the ludicrous event of its non-repayment. And now the credit-crunch begins to bite, and it is left to Portia to test "the quality of mercy"... (Source: back of the book)