Comments on: Review: Becoming Shakespeare, Jack Lynch

By: Vishy

Vishy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:17:16 +0000

Nice review, Jenny! This looks like an interesting book for Shakespeare lovers. I have ‘Will in the World’ – I got it when it came out and it has been languishing on my bookshelf for maybe six or seven years now. I hope to read it sometime. I don’t know whether I would like to read all of Shakespeare’s plays sometime – maybe I would when I have the time – but I would definitely like to read Charles and Mary Lamb’s retelling of them, which is a classic on its own.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 02:49:17 +0000

I was going to make that joke about the White Witch! And I like musicals, but I don’t want to defeat the royalist agenda. The Royals are Wrong but Wromantic whereas the Roundheads are Right but Repulsive.

By: Dana Huff

Dana Huff — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:46:36 +0000

Oh, I loved Contested Will! Shame this wasn’t better. You might like A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599, but then you commented on my review of it, so it may already be on your radar (http://www.danahuff.net/?p=1392). I loved it. Actually, fiction wise, Nothing Like the Sun by Anthony Burgess was awesome.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:04:52 +0000

Don’t you hate it when a book you are loving doesn’t give you enough? This usually never happens with fiction, but I find that sometimes I am reading nonfiction and just when I am getting really embroiled, the chapter ends! I feel your frustration on this one, but I am glad that you liked it!

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:21:06 +0000

I will join the movement to see musicals all the time!
Taming of the Shrew is my least favorite and Othello my most favorite. There is an opera version of the Othello story that I have never seen; perhaps I should. Despite years of urging, I will never like the musical Kiss me, Kate.

By: bookgazing

bookgazing — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:56:09 +0000

*frowny face* Everyone focuses on the Puritans and their hatred of Christmas. Cromwell really did have good logic behind his actions, besides ‘you godless revelers, with your maypoles and your Christmas trinkets’, even if he probably shouldn’t have lopped off Charle’s head (I am very much anti-this nowadays, but I find it very hard to stick by my no death for creepy heads of state rulers stance when it comes to Charles I).

Still, it’s hard to totally love someone who didn’t want theatres, sadly because I really want Cromwell to be my homeboy.

Anyway…I had heard that fact about plays with singing before, but forgot it and I love the idea that this might tie into a snobby hatred of musicals. Let us all use it as an excuse to see musicals all the time, because we are defeating the historical royalist agenda or something.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:04:06 +0000

I have an unreasonable prejudice against books and movies titled Becoming [Insert Famous Person]. I have no idea why, but I guess the voice in the back of my mind keeps thinking, didn't he become Shakespeare by being born? Anyway, I do like the idea of "how their reputation happened" books, although I can't think of one that I've actually read. Hmmm... Also, I was not crazy about Will in the World. It was all speculation on top of hypothesizing on top of strained readings based on more speculation. I just didn't see the point. And Taming of the Shrew is my guilty Shakespeare pleasure. I kind of love it, while recognizing that, yes, it is misogynist as can be. I'm more likely to fight with Shakespeare over Merchant of Venice, except that I love Portia's "Quality of mercy" speech to pieces (all while loathing Portia--my feelings are complicated when it comes to Merchant).

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:41:13 +0000

I’ve not heard of this book, perhaps it’s just a well. You’re reading Shakespeare’s plays in the order he wrote them? – excellent! I’m just reading them as and when I’m in the mood for one – next up – either Richard III or Othello or possibly As You LIke It.

I long and long and long to see a panto and deeply regret that I did not do so when in England
Oh no, you don’t! (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
Do you not have them or anything similar over the Pond? I’m not sure you’re missing much apart from the cross-dressing and the terrible jokes.