Commissioned to produce his ‘take’ on Swan Lake, the Tchaikovsky ballet for which no fundamental text exists, Helprin modified and extended the story into a surprisingly emotional and profound short epic cycle of ceaselessly alternating triumph and defeat. The world in which this takes place is as extraordinary, hypnotic, and beautiful as that of Winter’s Tale. Children and adults are delighted, captivated, and moved, and those who are able may follow as well a Swiftian political and theological subtext. As a splendid and important addition, the richness and beauty of the texts are interpreted by Chris Van Allsburg, the foremost illustrator of our times.