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This is the big one from Peter Ackroyd and a worthy companion to London: The Biography.
Only Peter Ackroyd can combine readable narrative and unique observation with a sharp eye for the fascinating fact. His method is to position Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, he not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare s life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background
Ackroyd, though not a professional Shakespeare scholar, is a novelist, poet, critic and, above all, prolific biographer, with books on Chaucer, Thomas More, Blake, Dickens, Pound and T. S. Eliot, some of whom he aptly brings in here. Comparisons with Dickens, who was, in a way, the Shakespeare of the novel, are particularly suggestive; but Ackroyd, fruitfully, quotes many foreign opinions, old and new, as well. Especially effective is the brevity of his chapters, each dealing with a specific matter, and with a title slyly drawn from Shakespeare's words. That the endnotes are purely bibliographical, and everything else is right in the text, is also laudable.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Neil Phelps
reviewed Shakespeare: The Biography on August 18, 2017 Shakespeare: The Biography
Very worthwhile book on Shakespeare! Although he is still 'the mystery man', the author has researched the era, his family, theatre life, religious differences and the locales of London and Stratford and presents the known facts'as well as the gaping holes'as Shakespeare's life unfolds.
It is not difficult to see, thanks to Ackroyd's explanations, why Shakespeare remains such an elusive figure.
There are reasons. It was a dangerous time for one, especially with respect to which side of the religious street you happened to be standing on when. England went back and forth between Catholic, Protestant, back to Catholic and then finally to remain Protestant all in less than 50 years'the span of one man's lifetime. Who knew if that might change again?
Shakespeare's own father suffered most of his life for his determination to hang on to the 'Old Faith''something which could have made his son more cautious in allowing himself private beliefs and thoughts much less being forthright about them.
Ackroyd also gave the ins and outs of the dangers inherent in theatre life, something still novel in late 16th, early 17th Century Britain. The risks were greatest for playwrights, who might write something heretical or treasonous, intentionally or no. Shakespeare's contemporary and competitor, Christopher Marlowe, died at 29 (stabbed to death) under mysterious circumstances, something which no doubt would have affected WS.
Shakespeare's own death at 53 in Stratford-on-Avon was unremarkable and unattended except for family and some friends. Even his cause of death remains a mystery. For such a great man, so much remains conjecture. And yet, we love his words and it is those we know so well!
Ackroyd focuses on the plays, characters, and memorable dialogue throughout, something akin to a tour through a bakery. Let me out of here or let me eat one of everything! At least…!
Most enjoyable and most frustrating! Bring on those plays…!
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October 1, 2017: We are almost finished! One CD (out of 16) left. Normally audiobooks don't take us so long. This one has taken longer, no doubt because of our frequent breaks for discussion. Dear husband has no familiarity with Shakespeare which has led to many interesting conversations. Also, the CDs are very long so we are reluctant to start another unless early in evening.
August 18, 2017: I am a fan of Ackroyd bios... Have been wanting to read this one on the Bard for a long time.
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