The Shakespeare Stealer Series

The Shakespeare Stealer #1-3

by Gary L. Blackwood

The three novels in Gary Blackwood's award-winning Shakespeare Stealer series are now available in this affordably priced and handsome hardcover omnibus volume, which includes the complete texts of The Shakespeare Stealer, Shakespeare's Scribe, and Shakespeare's Spy. Fans can immerse themselves in orphan-turned-actor Widge's adventures with Will Shakespeare's acting troupe as he navigates intrigue, betrayal, and romance in Elizabethan London.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Shakespeare, Middle Grade, Medieval

762 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2004

About the author

He grew up in rural Cochranton, Western Pennsylvania, where he attended school in a one room schoolhouse. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. While a college student, Blackwood published his first short story, Cliffs of Gold, in Twelve/ Fifteen magazine.

He has sold dozens of stories to children's magazines, and has published thirty-five novels and nonfiction books for adults, young adults and middle readers.

Blackwood is also a widely produced playwright.

Reviews

[Eden McMaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting books with well orchestrated plots. However, it is hard to find an age that would enjoy them because they are very simply written, yet have some adult themes and mild language.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy, bound in one handy volume, is the semi-historical tale of one William Shakespeare, as seen through the eyes of an orphan boy, the fictional Widge. The tale is of Widge’s growth from a lying, thieving wretch to a young man (only occasionally given to lying and thieving). The story is craftily plotted, paced and written. It’s filled with surprises and neat turns of the stories, incorporating many elements that people may recognize from the actual Shakespearean plays.

Mr. Blackwood’s trilogy is clearly a loving homage to one of the greatest playwrights ever born as well as the era in which Shakespeare lived. Like the Bard’s plays, many different characters trot their way on and off the boards and Mr. Blackwood gives them all the proper entrances and exits.

Whether you adore Shakespeare or are merely keen to learn more, this trilogy is a superb fictional account and easy entry to the Golden Elizabethan age.

[Lorraine Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to introduce kids to Shakespeare and the exciting and dangerous times of Elizabethan England is to offer them well-written, exciting, adventures involving a young orphan thief who is sent by his master to steal from Will Shakespeare and company. Gary Blackwood has written a trilogy of stories involving 14-year-old Widge, an indentured servant in the beginning who has been taught shorthand by a former master and is now called upon to use this skill to copy Hamlet for a rival theatre group. Attending a performance, Widge manages to write everything down but in the crowded streets of London, his pocket is picked and, fearing for his life, he decides he must join the actors of the Globe Theatre and steal a copy of Shakespeare's newest, unpublished play, Hamlet. Once in the theatre, he is playing a double role, the one he must play on stage and the one he must continually play to survive, keeping his true purpose from the actors and apprentices who make him feel welcome and part of a family for the first time in his life. The Shakespeare Stealer (1998) is full of the sights and sounds of 16th century London and the theatre life. The plot has many twists and turns to keep young people on the edge of their seats.
Blackwood's two sequels, Shakespeare's Scribe (2000) and Shakespeare's Spy (2003) continue to follow the complicated and adventurous life of Widge as he faces betrayal within the company, learning to fence, rivalries, suspicions, duels, the plague, touring the countryside, discovering his real name and a man who claims to be his father.

This exciting trilogy is also available from Amazon in a boxed set called The Shakespeare Adventure Pack or The Shakespeare Stealer Series. Adults will enjoy this captivating series as much as young people.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shakespeare Stealer
I enjoyed this book because you became part of the book. The book not only told a story about someone with split loyalties, but yours were split as well. You do not know whether you want Widge to carry out his previous master's orders or to become an actor.

I also enjoyed the last passage because I think it is very meaningful:

Though I hadn't quite learned a new language, as Julia was doing, I felt almost as though I had. For every ken and wis and aye I had dropped from my vocabulary, I had picked up a dozen new useful terms. Some were fencing terms, some were particular to London, some were jargon of the players' trade. But the ones that made the most difference to me were words I had heard before but never fully understood their importance-words such as honesty and trust, loyalty and friendship. And family. And home. (page 215-216)

Shakespeare's Scribe, and Shakespeare's Spy
I believe this series is very good at making the reader think how the main character thinks and have the same wants and needs as the main character. I also think that the author is very good at coming up with interesting dilemmas.

[Adrienne]

The Shakespeare Stealer trilogy by Gary Blackwood is a lot of fun. Widge is an orphan living in Shakespearian England, and his skill at shorthand gets him thrown in with the company of actors that does their thing at the Globe theatre (I’ve been there, whoo!). Various adventures ensue, with Widge ultimately becoming a full-fledged member of the company and a burgeoning playwright. The cast of actors at the Globe are quite likeable, Shakespeare himself was fun to see, and Widge, with his endearing Northern accent is a fairly strong protagonist. The references to Shakespeare’s plays are many (Widge even helps to write a few) and the uneven style of Timon of Athens is explained. Each of the three books are quick reads, and they are each a lot of fun.

[Danielle Reily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this trilogy at a library sale for three dollars, I didn't read a lot of it, it said Shakespeare so I took a risk. I didn't realize until I looked through it that it was a young adult book. I actually really enjoy ready young adult literature, and it's a time period I enjoy reading about, so I was very interested in this book.
I liked the premise of the story, the characters were interesting and I felt that they were realistic. I liked the book, but I didn't love it. The storylines were a little predictable, and sometimes it felt like the author was forcing the story. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it when I was younger.
I will keep this book for my kids to read when they get older. I hope they will love the story as much as I wanted to.

[Holly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read. As a Shakespeare fan, I loved learning about Elizabethan theatre and the genesis of the Bard's works from a fresh perspective. A quick read and definitely worth the investment of all three books. It's refreshing to read some quality YA lit that has absolutely nothing to do with vampires or spoiled teenagers in Manhattan. Well played, Gary Blackwood. Pun fully intended.

[Schnuckiputzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at theater in Shakespeare's time. It would be a nightmare having only your lines and trying to perform smoothly with all the other characters.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really care for books that take place in this time of history so I put it down half way through.

[Schtroumpf]

This book is great because it is sad and heroic

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for young adults. Could be a great segway in to an otherwise routine unit on Shakespeare. Loved the characters, especially Widge and Julia.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read. Not too heavy and I cared about the charactors until the end. Early teen or tween.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little series! I love Widge! Blackwood really does a great job creating the feel of the time period.