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A review by theinquisitxor
Tales From Shakespeare by Charles Lamb
4.0
I was not 100% sure what to expect from this book of Shakespeare retellings for children but I was pleasantly surprised. I did not read every single story, but rather focused on the ones that I know best, primary from studying several plays this past semester. Published in 1807, by Mary and Charles Lamb, this contains twenty prose retellings of the plays while still maintaining Shakespeare's elegant and poetic dialogue.
The edition of this book that I have is the Barns and Noble Fall River Press which is gorgeously illustrated. Most of the illustrations are done by Arthur Rackham, an illustrator from the early 20th century. I love early 20th century pen and ink drawings, and his work is totally worth looking up!
Mary Lamb wrote most of the stories ( all the the comedies and Romances) while Charles only wrote the six tragedies. Mary was not at first accredited with the book, and still today, most people only know of Charles Lamb. In the introduction, the book describes how Charles and Mary grew up near theater and probably saw many Shakespeare plays preformed. One thing I picked up on while reading was the sibling's interpretation of certain characters, probably due to how there were portrayed on stage during this time.
The most startling example was in The Tempest. Modern interpretation often makes this play a commentary on Colonialism- as per the dynamic between Prospero and Caliban. In many modern adaptations, Caliban is usually portrayed as having darker skin, and being very human (not typically in a 'savage' way). In Charles and Mary Lamb's version, Caliban is a grotesque, uncouth, ape-like creature. Which left me wondering if that was how stage productions were portraying Caliban during this time.
Shakespeare's plays are often confusing, filled with magic, twins, people pretending to be who they are not, and many sub-plots that children could get confused from. I think that C&M did a good job of telling the story in a way that keeps most of these elements, while still remaining a story. It is far from being a plot-summary. However, some characters were toned-down (I'm looking you, Prospero and Iago) and some sub-plots were not mentioned. But I understand that since this is written for children, not everything can be included- most on stage productions make many cuts to scenes and have their own interpretations. Which makes me very content with this book.
The edition of this book that I have is the Barns and Noble Fall River Press which is gorgeously illustrated. Most of the illustrations are done by Arthur Rackham, an illustrator from the early 20th century. I love early 20th century pen and ink drawings, and his work is totally worth looking up!
Mary Lamb wrote most of the stories ( all the the comedies and Romances) while Charles only wrote the six tragedies. Mary was not at first accredited with the book, and still today, most people only know of Charles Lamb. In the introduction, the book describes how Charles and Mary grew up near theater and probably saw many Shakespeare plays preformed. One thing I picked up on while reading was the sibling's interpretation of certain characters, probably due to how there were portrayed on stage during this time.
The most startling example was in The Tempest. Modern interpretation often makes this play a commentary on Colonialism- as per the dynamic between Prospero and Caliban. In many modern adaptations, Caliban is usually portrayed as having darker skin, and being very human (not typically in a 'savage' way). In Charles and Mary Lamb's version, Caliban is a grotesque, uncouth, ape-like creature. Which left me wondering if that was how stage productions were portraying Caliban during this time.
Shakespeare's plays are often confusing, filled with magic, twins, people pretending to be who they are not, and many sub-plots that children could get confused from. I think that C&M did a good job of telling the story in a way that keeps most of these elements, while still remaining a story. It is far from being a plot-summary. However, some characters were toned-down (I'm looking you, Prospero and Iago) and some sub-plots were not mentioned. But I understand that since this is written for children, not everything can be included- most on stage productions make many cuts to scenes and have their own interpretations. Which makes me very content with this book.