You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Having recently listened to (and enjoyed) Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, I looked for other Bryson audio books at the library. Shakespeare was a good choice. This book is read by Bryson and I liked hearing his own voice, though I was somewhat surprised by his British accent. There is a lot of history and a lot of commentary included which added to my enjoyment. Also included at the end is a short interview with Bryson. (Note: the edition I listened to was "Recorded Books", not Audio Audible as listed here.) Listening to this renews my ambition to read the complete works of Shakespeare, to see some of the plays and to visit the Folger Shakespeare library in Washington, D.C. (perhaps in retirement...)
One thing that Bryson says that I could relate to my genealogy hobby was that at this time, unless one married, owned or sold property or was in the criminal justice system, documentation of a life can be difficult to find.
One thing that Bryson says that I could relate to my genealogy hobby was that at this time, unless one married, owned or sold property or was in the criminal justice system, documentation of a life can be difficult to find.
An easy, yet knowledgeable, read about Shakespeare and his time.
This is a great introduction to the mysterious identity of William Shakespeare. Bill Bryson doesn't make the mistake most biographers make--i.e., twisting facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts, as Sherlock Holmes might put it. He tells it like it is, and manages to cover what we know for sure of Shakespeare's life in a pretty economic fashion. Of course, we really don't know much, and Bryson is the first to admit it:
And Bryson's volume is exactly that: slender. At a mere 196 pages, it seems impossible that even such a seasoned biographer as Bryson could do the world's most famous writer justice. But somehow, Bryson manages not only to cover everything we really do know about Shakespeare, but also to explore (and often to debunk) the speculations, suggestions, and wild conspiracy theories that have been previously provided by other scholars--and sometimes crackpots, and sometimes evidently both at once.
Bryson gives us the bare bones not because he isn't up to a greater challenge, but because when it comes to Shakespeare, the bare bones are all we have. He admirably resists the temptation to provide his own half-baked theories and instead offers the few knowable details of Shakespeare's life with the curious combination of wit and sobriety that has made him one of non-fiction's favorite authors.
All in all, this is an excellent 'introductory course' for a curious reader, and would serve as an excellent foundation for someone who's not quite ready for the more in-depth examinations of James Shapiro or Stephen Greenblatt.
To answer the obvious question, this book was written not so much because the world needs another book on Shakespeare as because this series [Eminent Lives] does. The idea is a simple one: to see how much of Shakespeare we can know, really know, from the record. Which is one reason, of course, it's so slender.
And Bryson's volume is exactly that: slender. At a mere 196 pages, it seems impossible that even such a seasoned biographer as Bryson could do the world's most famous writer justice. But somehow, Bryson manages not only to cover everything we really do know about Shakespeare, but also to explore (and often to debunk) the speculations, suggestions, and wild conspiracy theories that have been previously provided by other scholars--and sometimes crackpots, and sometimes evidently both at once.
Bryson gives us the bare bones not because he isn't up to a greater challenge, but because when it comes to Shakespeare, the bare bones are all we have. He admirably resists the temptation to provide his own half-baked theories and instead offers the few knowable details of Shakespeare's life with the curious combination of wit and sobriety that has made him one of non-fiction's favorite authors.
All in all, this is an excellent 'introductory course' for a curious reader, and would serve as an excellent foundation for someone who's not quite ready for the more in-depth examinations of James Shapiro or Stephen Greenblatt.
I read this book in 6th grade as research for a project and have always remembered it fondly. Finally revisited it after my partner made comments about the questions around Shakespeare’s authorship— Bryson’s complete dismantling of that bizarrely common misconception and his treatment of the rest of this biography are just as skillful and entertaining as I remember. I’ve always meant to read more of his books, and will renew my efforts to do that now that I’ve enjoyed this one again.
I found it entertaining and interesting as well as being informative. It's a different take on a biography. The author is clear about not attempting an academic exposition. Instead, he simply narrates what he found out to satiate his own curiosity - it's like listening to a friend chatting about interesting things they found out about one of the most well-known names of all times.
funny
informative
fast-paced
Enjoyable and interesting enough, given my “enough” level of interest in the topic to pick up the book. Paid off in having my expectations met, but not exceeded. Bill Bryson’s writing style was a reason why I chose to read this book, though it seems more factual and dry than I would have expected from him. In short, not bad but not something I’ll rush to reread.
More accurately a soft 3.5/5 stars.
More accurately a soft 3.5/5 stars.
Fascinating. So little is known about William Shakespeare, or can be confirmed. What is known is based of off scant public record from the time. The rest is filled in with theory and conjecture based off of customs and standards in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. Bill Bryson is a gifted non fiction writer.