Brick Shakespeare: The Comedies―A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Taming of the Shrew

by John D. McCann, Monica Sweeney, Becky Thomas

Explore four of Shakespeare’s comedies like never before—with LEGO bricks! This book presents Shakespeare’s most delightful comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream , Much Ado About Nothing , The Taming of the Shrew , and The Tempest , in one thousand amazing color photographs. This unique adaptation of the world’s most famous plays stays true to Shakespeare’s original text, while giving audiences an exciting new perspective as the stories are retold with the universally beloved construction toy.

Get caught up in hilarious misadventures as brick Puck leads the lovers astray through the brick forests of Athens. Watch Cupid kill with traps in the plot to marry Beatrice and Benedict. Marvel at the changing disguises of the men vying for brick Bianca’s affections, and feel the churn of the ocean as Prospero sinks his brother’s ship into the brick sea. These iconic stories jump off the page with fun, creative sets built brick by brick, scene by scene!

This incredible method of storytelling gives new life to Shakespeare’s masterpieces. With an abridged form that maintains original Shakespearean language and modern visuals, this ode to the Bard is sure to please all audiences, from the most versed Shakespeare enthusiasts to young students and newcomers alike!

Genres: Shakespeare, Literature, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Comics, Art

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2014

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remain fascinated by the time and patience it must take to produce these Brick books. As a fan of making Shakespeare accessible, I was interested to get a look at this one in particular. It includes my favorite works of Shakespeare with the exception of Twelfth Night. The plays are presented in a form that encompasses the entire story arc using well placed breaks from all the bricks that give the reader story details in paragraph form. A faithful retelling in an unexpected medium.

My favorite quote (from Dogberry in Act IV, Scene II): "Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost thou not suspect my years? O that he were here to write me down an ass! But, masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass. No, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness. I am a wise fellow, and, which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Messina, and one that knows the law, go to; and a rich fellow enough, go to; and a fellow that hath had losses, and one that hath two gowns and everything handsome about him. Bring him away. O that I had been writ down and ass!"

[Amelia G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the idea of this book was really fun and imaginative. I mean, Legos are great, and then you make them put on a Shakespeare comedy? Even better. The only downside I had to this book was that the lines were still in the original Shakespeare language (e.g. thou, thee, thine, etc.). It made it a little harder to understand, even though there were Lego pictures to help you out. Maybe I was thinking that since Legos are for kids that the words would be for kids too. Oh well, good book anyway.

[Richard Gombert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute.

[Matthew Fleming · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fairly poorly put together, but a couple of good panels.

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bland pix, no backgrounds. Why.

[Briana]

After reading the "Midsummer Night's Dream" adaptation, some preliminary thoughts:

Many of the LEGO scenes aren't obviously interesting, especially in the beginning. There are various shots of characters standing around talking, not even simulating walking or hand gestures.

Later on the expressions and scenes get a little more expression.

I'm interested in how the creators can control where the audience looks. In Act 5, for instance, when there is a play without a play, the creators can deliberately focus audience attention either on the play or on the audience watching the play. There aren't any shots including both.

The format also allows for some flashbacks and scenes of people's dreams or imaginings, which would not be an option in a live play.

[Kristen Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique way to read Shakespeare's plays. If I still taught Shakespeare, I would get a class set of the tragedies. Occasionally there were gaps between the narration and the Shakespearean segments that left me a little confused, and there are some scenes I wish they hadn't just summarized, but overall I enjoyed The Brick Shakespeare. Where was it when I took my college Shakespeare class?

[Cherecwich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a riot!

[Trinity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual score 2.8, rounded up. The LEGO tableaux are just not as compelling as either the Bible or Fairy Tale volumes.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute. very cute. Actual text from Shakespeare, too, not a retelling.

[Nancy Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on Shakespeare's comedies. As they legos are more masculine toys, the plays have more modern day masculine feel to it. All I can say is at least young kids are reading Shakespeare!