Shakespeare: The World as a Stage (Eminent Lives)

If you've read Bill Bryson before and enjoyed him, then you're sure to like this. It's as clear, concise, vivid, informative and humourous account of Shakespeare's life as you'll find anywhere. Not in the least pretentious. Refreshing and witty.

A collector's item - for the wrong reasons (1/2 people found this helpful)

I'm frankly amazed that this book should have scored so highly in reader ratings. It's the first book by Bill Bryson that has been a flat, even tedious, read.

There is little here that has not been said many times before and, although this will present no problem to those new to Shakespeare biography, anyone wanting the same wit and insight as Mother Tongue or Made in America is likely to be equally disappointed. Browse at least to the end of the first chapter before making up your mind and not, as I did, just the first couple of pages - probably the liveliest. Because it is at the end of this chapter that we find the remarkably candid admission: 'this book was written not so much because the world needs another book on Shakespeare, as because this series does.'

Bryson is an entertainer par excellence. Not here though. I was hoping for something other than potted biography. Something along the 'amazing facts' line that helped make his superb foray into science so engaging. 'If all the writing on Shakespeare were laid out end to end ...' kind of thing. Plus, of course, his trademark wit.

What we have is a mere excuse to cash in on the brand. Both brands.

Well-written account of the life of the Bard (1/1 people found this helpful)

Bryson's book is split into chapters that cover all areas of Shakespeare, from his birth, work, death, legacy and even conspiracy theories. It is easy to read, enjoyable and full of wit.

I am a trainee teacher who brought Bryson's book to brush up on my subject knowledge, since I knew very little about Shakespeare before. I now feel more than confident enough to teach it.

Whether mildly interested or a Shakespeare expert, this book will provide you with fascinating new information about the mysterious man that was Shakespeare. An excellent read.

Even Bryson can't succeed without material (2/3 people found this helpful)

As early as page 7 in this short biography Bryson acknowledges the almost total dearth of evidence which exists about his subject. Unsurprisingly, then, that is a point which he repeats to the stage when it becomes irritating: even Bryson cannot make a virtue about a (life) story without a story-line.

For those willing to forsake this important detail, it has to be said that the book contains a well-presented résumé of Shakespeare's unrivalled literary contribution and a brisk summary of the insights of his biographers and devotees over the years; and Bryson is at his best in the closing chapter as he simultaneously reviews and ridicules those who have sought to deny Shakespeare authorship of his plays.

Ultimately, the thinness of the material at his disposal shows through.

As you like it (1/1 people found this helpful)

I'm an ardent Bryson fan ...and although this is a departure from his normal fare, I still very much enjoyed it. I may not agree with his views on Shakespeare as the real author of the works attributed to the bard, but he tells his side of the story in an interesting and entertaining way as always. I'd recommend this to anyone who is unsure whether to follow Bryson off his normal beaten track.
As an aside, I'd also suggest you get 'Shakespeare My Butt!' (Donoghue) and put it on your bookshelf next to Bryson's Shakespeare just to balance the 'did he or didn't he' debate - even if just for show!. Oddly enough, Shakespeare My Butt isn't about Shakespeare at all - but is a lot more Brysonesque (if that's a word) than this actual Bryson book.

Shakespeare: The World as a Stage (Eminent Lives)

Bill Bryson

Reader Reviews:

Never a Dull Moment (0/0 people found this helpful)

A collector's item - for the wrong reasons (1/2 people found this helpful)

Well-written account of the life of the Bard (1/1 people found this helpful)

Even Bryson can't succeed without material (2/3 people found this helpful)

As you like it (1/1 people found this helpful)

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