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William Shakespeare's Star Wars #6
William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return
Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork, these two plays offer essential reading for all ages. Something Wookiee this way comes!
165 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2014
88 people are currently reading
5030 people want to read
About the author
Ian Doescher
49 books726 followersIan is the author of the William Shakespeare Star Wars series and the Pop Shakespeare series, and other books. He's a Portland native, and lives in Portland with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 529 reviews
February 7, 2016
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Not since ol' Harold Hecuba showed up on Gilligan's Island has Shakespeare been so much fun . . .
This is the third time Billy Shakes has done Star Wars so what do I even say? I'll tell you what I say. Not much because it's Super Bowl Sunday and I'm earning my Wife of the Year Award by making a shitpile of food for the men in my house to gorge their faces on this evening. I'm also about 47 reviews behind for the year and fell into aporno scientific journal rabbit hole yesterday on top of battling f-ing Monkey Pox or Ziki Ziki or some crazy shit virus that won't go away and makes me sound like I have emphysema so when it comes to this "review" I'll tell you what I tell my kids: You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.
Alright, so just like the film this is numerosix three in the series. The plot is followed to the T - it's just told in olde timey speak. If you have a Star Wars nerd in your life these books are kind of a necessity to add to their collection. After all, they probably have everything else.
Like the original Millenium Falcon (and box) . . .
Or they realize that Star Wars merch is the perfect gift for EVERY occasion . . .
Like Mother's Day . . .
Or Valentine's Day . . .
Or the wife's birthday . . .
Or "Wal-Mart is boring and sometimes you have to just say eff it to toilet paper and other grown-up stuff and go look at the kid stuff" . . .
Or when you need to fill a prescription and discover Walgreens now has "exclusive Pop Vinyls" . . .
This one's supposed to be for the oldest child, but just look at Mitchell's face. Who can resist that charm?????
Whatever the reason, there is something Star Wars for it . . . .
Even the Doctor agrees.
This selection was chosen as part of the library's Winter Reading Challenge. Only ONE more book and the limited edition beer mug will be MIIIIIIIIIINE!
Not since ol' Harold Hecuba showed up on Gilligan's Island has Shakespeare been so much fun . . .
This is the third time Billy Shakes has done Star Wars so what do I even say? I'll tell you what I say. Not much because it's Super Bowl Sunday and I'm earning my Wife of the Year Award by making a shitpile of food for the men in my house to gorge their faces on this evening. I'm also about 47 reviews behind for the year and fell into a
Alright, so just like the film this is numero
Like the original Millenium Falcon (and box) . . .
Or they realize that Star Wars merch is the perfect gift for EVERY occasion . . .
Like Mother's Day . . .
Or Valentine's Day . . .
Or the wife's birthday . . .
Or "Wal-Mart is boring and sometimes you have to just say eff it to toilet paper and other grown-up stuff and go look at the kid stuff" . . .
Or when you need to fill a prescription and discover Walgreens now has "exclusive Pop Vinyls" . . .
This one's supposed to be for the oldest child, but just look at Mitchell's face. Who can resist that charm?????
Whatever the reason, there is something Star Wars for it . . . .
Even the Doctor agrees.
This selection was chosen as part of the library's Winter Reading Challenge. Only ONE more book and the limited edition beer mug will be MIIIIIIIIIINE!
May 1, 2016
The Jedi Doth Returned is the sixth installment of William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher. I read this as pure guilty pleasure in between heavier books; however, I find it charming reading the story I love in iambic pentameter. I always felt that Star Wars is a classic timeless story of good vs evil. By setting the stories to Shakespeare, Doescher validates this sentiment that I share with many of my fellow Star Wars lovers. Additionally, he has done much research into the characters and has had Yoda speak in haiku, Han and Leia's interchanges in rhyming couplet, and R2's asides in prose. I have now read episodes four through six in this series and have enjoyed it tremendously. A must read for any Star Wars fan, and a valuable learning tool for an upper level classroom.
March 26, 2016
Vrlo zabavan kraj za ovu trilogiju. Ali imam osecaj da je ovo malo slabija knjiga mada moglo bi biti posto se bazira na filmu koji je meni licno manje zabavan nego prva dva. Plus smanjili su na komediji. Ali opet vredi procitati.
Plus scene izmedju Leje i Hana su stvarno vrhunske :)
Plus scene izmedju Leje i Hana su stvarno vrhunske :)
April 29, 2015
The exciting conclusion to the trilogy.
Again, I really enjoyed this. Star Wars, the original trilogy, is such a great story. It's very fun to read lines you have memorized and a plot you have watched for decades with fresh eyes.
I was swooning at Han Solo and Leia's love! Very romantic. It makes me think of how poorly romance and falling in love is done, in the usual books I read.
I love how Leia's such a boss. She fights, she kills, she's defiant. She gives orders and everyone listens to her - not because she's a princess, but because she is smart and capable. I really liked seeing a woman who is such an agent of her own destiny, but also gets to fall in love and be tender with her brother, etc. So often I see strong women interpreted such a way that the authors allow them no soft feelings. And I don't like it. You can be badass and still have soft spots. In fact, it makes for a better story. - This paragraph is more a testament to Lucas than Doescher, but oh well.
Again, I feel like Doescher worked hard on this series. It's not a bunch of half-assed stuff thrown together in a money grab. I can tell that he put a lot of thought and effort into these books. His skill deserves to be praised.
The one thing (that's happened throughout the series) that I didn't like in this book - actually, I hated it, and was rolling my eyes every time it happened - is when the characters dance and sing. It's weird and just completely takes me out of my happy reading state. The stupidest one in this book was when Leia tells Han that she loves him and not Luke, and he starts singing and dancing about it. LAME.
Overall, a great trilogy, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Again, I really enjoyed this. Star Wars, the original trilogy, is such a great story. It's very fun to read lines you have memorized and a plot you have watched for decades with fresh eyes.
I was swooning at Han Solo and Leia's love! Very romantic. It makes me think of how poorly romance and falling in love is done, in the usual books I read.
I love how Leia's such a boss. She fights, she kills, she's defiant. She gives orders and everyone listens to her - not because she's a princess, but because she is smart and capable. I really liked seeing a woman who is such an agent of her own destiny, but also gets to fall in love and be tender with her brother, etc. So often I see strong women interpreted such a way that the authors allow them no soft feelings. And I don't like it. You can be badass and still have soft spots. In fact, it makes for a better story. - This paragraph is more a testament to Lucas than Doescher, but oh well.
Again, I feel like Doescher worked hard on this series. It's not a bunch of half-assed stuff thrown together in a money grab. I can tell that he put a lot of thought and effort into these books. His skill deserves to be praised.
The one thing (that's happened throughout the series) that I didn't like in this book - actually, I hated it, and was rolling my eyes every time it happened - is when the characters dance and sing. It's weird and just completely takes me out of my happy reading state. The stupidest one in this book was when Leia tells Han that she loves him and not Luke, and he starts singing and dancing about it. LAME.
Overall, a great trilogy, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 20, 2015
Disclaimer: I won an ARC via a giveaway on Booklikes. The book arrived with two posters.
Are Ewoks too cute? That is the question.
Whether it is nobler to kill Vader or redeem . . .
Whatever. I give in.
Jedi Doeth Return is Ian Doescher’s adaption of the last classic Star Wars movie into Shakespearean verse. One hopes that it is not the last Star Wars movie Doescher attacks in such a way.
Attacks is too harsh a word. Adapts.
Please Doescher do more because that way there will be some news about Star Wars that will be happy.
So what to say about this book? It actually hews more closely to the movie than the previous two, so some of that humor of Mr. Doescher’s that made the last two such fun. It’s there, just not as much.
Though Obi-Wan’s comment about midi-chlorians is priceless.
Considering the saga’s plot problems in terms of Leia’s remembering her mother as well as Vader’s inability to know that Leia is his daughter until the end of Jedi, I was hoping for some type of comment, but there wasn’t one. Luke’s reaction about his relationship to Leia doesn’t quite make up for it, though it is a wonderful speech and neither does his reason for thinking about Leia in the ending duel. Parody should also have some truth to it. Monty Python’s sketch about Hamlet works because at the heart of the bit is a truth or revelation about Hamlet in terms of criticism. While Doescher’s adaptations of both New Hope and Empire had these light hearted good natured criticisms, Jedi doesn’t. Perhaps this is because, as Doescher freely admits, Jedi is his favorite of the three. Regardless of the reason, it feels like Doescher let a prefect showcase for his humor go by.
The two wise guards, however, do return. I suppose they are different guards, but if you like the whole discussion scene from Empire, you will like this conversation.
What I really liked was Leia. I remember when Jedi first came on broadcast television. It was, I believe, on NBC. This was back in the days before computer television, Hulu, Acorn and years before many people have cable. It was basically an event. Like most networks at the time, NBC edited the movie to meet the time and commercial demands. How? By editing out all the scenes of Leia kicking ass with the exception of her shooting the gun during the shield generator fight. Lately, the predominant image has been of Princess Leia in her slave girl outfit. While the illustrator, Nicolas Delort, does include a picture of Leia in her slave girl outfit; it is Leia in her slave girl outfit killing Jabba. She has a don’t mess with me look on her face. Nice! Additionally, Leia’s dialogue in terms of her battle and interaction with the Ewoks is great.
R2-D2, the fool of the series, is joined and rivaled by another fool here and leads up to a fool duel. (I just wanted to type that out, really). The fool duel and rest (Solo as Benedick especially) make this an enjoyable ending to a funny series.
Crossposted at Booklikes
Are Ewoks too cute? That is the question.
Whether it is nobler to kill Vader or redeem . . .
Whatever. I give in.
Jedi Doeth Return is Ian Doescher’s adaption of the last classic Star Wars movie into Shakespearean verse. One hopes that it is not the last Star Wars movie Doescher attacks in such a way.
Attacks is too harsh a word. Adapts.
Please Doescher do more because that way there will be some news about Star Wars that will be happy.
So what to say about this book? It actually hews more closely to the movie than the previous two, so some of that humor of Mr. Doescher’s that made the last two such fun. It’s there, just not as much.
Though Obi-Wan’s comment about midi-chlorians is priceless.
Considering the saga’s plot problems in terms of Leia’s remembering her mother as well as Vader’s inability to know that Leia is his daughter until the end of Jedi, I was hoping for some type of comment, but there wasn’t one. Luke’s reaction about his relationship to Leia doesn’t quite make up for it, though it is a wonderful speech and neither does his reason for thinking about Leia in the ending duel. Parody should also have some truth to it. Monty Python’s sketch about Hamlet works because at the heart of the bit is a truth or revelation about Hamlet in terms of criticism. While Doescher’s adaptations of both New Hope and Empire had these light hearted good natured criticisms, Jedi doesn’t. Perhaps this is because, as Doescher freely admits, Jedi is his favorite of the three. Regardless of the reason, it feels like Doescher let a prefect showcase for his humor go by.
The two wise guards, however, do return. I suppose they are different guards, but if you like the whole discussion scene from Empire, you will like this conversation.
What I really liked was Leia. I remember when Jedi first came on broadcast television. It was, I believe, on NBC. This was back in the days before computer television, Hulu, Acorn and years before many people have cable. It was basically an event. Like most networks at the time, NBC edited the movie to meet the time and commercial demands. How? By editing out all the scenes of Leia kicking ass with the exception of her shooting the gun during the shield generator fight. Lately, the predominant image has been of Princess Leia in her slave girl outfit. While the illustrator, Nicolas Delort, does include a picture of Leia in her slave girl outfit; it is Leia in her slave girl outfit killing Jabba. She has a don’t mess with me look on her face. Nice! Additionally, Leia’s dialogue in terms of her battle and interaction with the Ewoks is great.
R2-D2, the fool of the series, is joined and rivaled by another fool here and leads up to a fool duel. (I just wanted to type that out, really). The fool duel and rest (Solo as Benedick especially) make this an enjoyable ending to a funny series.
Crossposted at Booklikes
July 24, 2020
4.5 for audiobook
Hear ye, hear ye of the audiobook
William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return
It truly is well done, the cast replete
With talent that doth justice do, indeed,
Star War fans and Shakespeare fans, hark, come near
Prithee, gather round your list'ning device
To hear Luke, Hans, Leia and the rebels
Fight the good fight, their cause so just and true
And hear what happens in a method new.
Original Review
Another fun romp with Star Wars meets Shakespeare. It's amazing just how fun Star Wars is this way (humour definitely intended!) This is the other of the two of the first six Star Wars movies I've ever seen (the third was a recent one with an elderly Harrison Ford, so not in the originally planned six part series).
Hear ye, hear ye of the audiobook
William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return
It truly is well done, the cast replete
With talent that doth justice do, indeed,
Star War fans and Shakespeare fans, hark, come near
Prithee, gather round your list'ning device
To hear Luke, Hans, Leia and the rebels
Fight the good fight, their cause so just and true
And hear what happens in a method new.
Original Review
Another fun romp with Star Wars meets Shakespeare. It's amazing just how fun Star Wars is this way (humour definitely intended!) This is the other of the two of the first six Star Wars movies I've ever seen (the third was a recent one with an elderly Harrison Ford, so not in the originally planned six part series).
December 21, 2015
Return of the Jedi is actually my favorite Star Wars movie (probably because it was the first one that I watched in full), so I knew I'd like this one. And I do, a lot. I especially like that my favorite Star Wars character, Wedge Antilles, gets his own speech. Doescher does some interesting stuff with the Ewoks, too.
February 14, 2018
I really like the audiobook, but I recommend also flipping through the physical book for the illustrations. They're great!
August 30, 2018
The entire audio production was just as superb as #5 and made me laugh just as much. Doescher allows himself to play within both the film and the writing structure as he brings back our haiku lovin' Yoda and the rhyming couplets provided to Han and Leia which is a great way to have them toss back and forth the same lively dialogue of the film. Not only is the cast fantastic but the incorporation of the original film score as well as the sounds effects compliment the book and drive sections along to help the reader. The droid effects as well as the blaster sounds are truly my favorite part of every Star Wars audio book I've have the pleasure of listening to.
If you liked and enjoyed the films, I definitely will recommend not just the audio books for everything I said and more but also the print versions of these books as they have some beautiful illustrations throughout.
Read more + my fangirling on January LaVoy at Mariaku Reads
If you liked and enjoyed the films, I definitely will recommend not just the audio books for everything I said and more but also the print versions of these books as they have some beautiful illustrations throughout.
Read more + my fangirling on January LaVoy at Mariaku Reads
July 22, 2014
Ian Doescher’s presentation of William Shakespeare’s take on the original Star Wars trilogy has come to an end. Hopefully Doescher stays away from the prequels – if not, I’d fear Shakespeare could rise from the dead to keep his name far from that garbage.
Luke Skywalker and the rebel alliance are getting ready to make their final stand against the tyranny of The Empire. The second Death Star is fast approaching completion and the good guys must find a way to regroup following the events of The Empire Striketh Back. I could go on but if you’re not aware of the Star Wars saga plot, why are you reading this review? Come on!
All the creativity that Doescher has shown throughout his time adapting the “holy trilogy” once again shines in the final chapter. While he closes out the series on a simplistic note keeping things very by-the-book, he still assigns himself a challenge in working with the Ewoks. While he mainly stuck to the script in the first two installments in leaving many characters’ alien vernacular untranslated – he did something different with the Ewoks, offering up a sort of pseudo-English which expands upon their roles in the story. Very nice.
Overall, I liked it. It’s clear that Doescher had a vision from the very beginning and throughout the whole journey, he didn’t lose his creative edge nor phone it in. Quirk Books seems to have cornered the market when it comes to these cross-over experiments. More!
Also posted @ Every Read Thing.
Luke Skywalker and the rebel alliance are getting ready to make their final stand against the tyranny of The Empire. The second Death Star is fast approaching completion and the good guys must find a way to regroup following the events of The Empire Striketh Back. I could go on but if you’re not aware of the Star Wars saga plot, why are you reading this review? Come on!
All the creativity that Doescher has shown throughout his time adapting the “holy trilogy” once again shines in the final chapter. While he closes out the series on a simplistic note keeping things very by-the-book, he still assigns himself a challenge in working with the Ewoks. While he mainly stuck to the script in the first two installments in leaving many characters’ alien vernacular untranslated – he did something different with the Ewoks, offering up a sort of pseudo-English which expands upon their roles in the story. Very nice.
Overall, I liked it. It’s clear that Doescher had a vision from the very beginning and throughout the whole journey, he didn’t lose his creative edge nor phone it in. Quirk Books seems to have cornered the market when it comes to these cross-over experiments. More!
Also posted @ Every Read Thing.
August 19, 2020
This was, once again, a lot of fun. I got a signed edition from the Forbidden planet, which added that little extra for me.
The formula at this point is known. It faithfully follows the story of a Star Wars movie but transforms it into a iambic pentameter. It works for me though, and it kept working also through this edition. I had a great time reading it. And I think if you are into Star Wars and want to have the same story in a slightly different way, try these books.
[Exeunt pursued by ewoks]
Find this and other reviews on my blog https://www.urlphantomhive.com
The formula at this point is known. It faithfully follows the story of a Star Wars movie but transforms it into a iambic pentameter. It works for me though, and it kept working also through this edition. I had a great time reading it. And I think if you are into Star Wars and want to have the same story in a slightly different way, try these books.
[Exeunt pursued by ewoks]
Find this and other reviews on my blog https://www.urlphantomhive.com
Read
January 7, 2021I’M EMO CAUSE THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL.
Fav Quotes:
>C-3P0: ‘Tis better, as they say, to make
The peace than make us all in pieces be.
>YODA: This is our hope: there
Is another Skywalker.
The rest silence is.
>ACKBAR: Most vile, O trick of Emperor’s basest wit.
A snare, a ruse, a ploy: and we the fools.
What great deception hath been plied today—
O rebels, do you hear? Fie, ‘tis a trap!
>HAN: O, I do love thee, Leia dear.
LEIA: —I know.
>LUKE: My father, gracious father, lend me aid!
Extend to me the grace I beg of thee!
VADER: [aside] this torment is not only his, but mine.
His ev’ry shriek doth sound within my soul
As though ‘twere I who were assaulted here.
What feeling’s this—my heart hath turn’d toward
The boy? My heart, that center of my soul
That I so long have hidden ‘neath the dark
And evil deeds that well befit a Sith.
But how my heart doth grown as though it wakes
From lengthy sleep. It shakes my spirit, spurs
My aging wither’d body, and doth make
Me young again—I am a Jedi Knight,
By Obi-Wan instructed; Anakin,
The name by which my mother call’d me, calls
Me now to resurrect my former self.
Methinks I feel the Force within me here—
Not to perform the deeds of evil men
But to release myself from bitter hate
And rescue Luke, whose courage I behold.
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
Be Anakin Skywalker now—recall
The man thou wert and rescue thy dear son!
[Darth Vader lifts Emperor Palpatine and throws him down a long shaft where he is killed amid his lightning and flames]
>VADER: O Luke, I prithee: render thy support
And help me take this mask off.
LUKE: —If I do,
Dear father, thou shalt surely meet thy death.
VADER: Aye. Naught shall stop that now, my son. Just once.
Let me look on thee with mine own eyes, Luke—
These eyes that miss’d your mewling newborn face,
These eyes that did not see your budding youth,
These eyes that were not there to see you grow,
These eyes that saw thee not when thou wert train’d.
I prithee, let these eyes see thee at last.
‘Twill be a fitting prelude to my death.
LUKE: My father, thou dost break my heart in twain.
Behold, for thou shalt see thy son, indeed.
[Luke Skywalker removes Darth Vader’s mask time reveal Anakin Skywalker]
ANAKIN: My misting eyes are nothing like my son’s—
Thou art so beautiful to me. How strong
Thy features, with thy mother’s gentle face.
A man thou art, and ev’ry part my son.
I never have been prouder, all my life.
These final moments are pure gift.
*cries in Skywalker*
Fav Quotes:
>C-3P0: ‘Tis better, as they say, to make
The peace than make us all in pieces be.
>YODA: This is our hope: there
Is another Skywalker.
The rest silence is.
>ACKBAR: Most vile, O trick of Emperor’s basest wit.
A snare, a ruse, a ploy: and we the fools.
What great deception hath been plied today—
O rebels, do you hear? Fie, ‘tis a trap!
>HAN: O, I do love thee, Leia dear.
LEIA: —I know.
>LUKE: My father, gracious father, lend me aid!
Extend to me the grace I beg of thee!
VADER: [aside] this torment is not only his, but mine.
His ev’ry shriek doth sound within my soul
As though ‘twere I who were assaulted here.
What feeling’s this—my heart hath turn’d toward
The boy? My heart, that center of my soul
That I so long have hidden ‘neath the dark
And evil deeds that well befit a Sith.
But how my heart doth grown as though it wakes
From lengthy sleep. It shakes my spirit, spurs
My aging wither’d body, and doth make
Me young again—I am a Jedi Knight,
By Obi-Wan instructed; Anakin,
The name by which my mother call’d me, calls
Me now to resurrect my former self.
Methinks I feel the Force within me here—
Not to perform the deeds of evil men
But to release myself from bitter hate
And rescue Luke, whose courage I behold.
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
Be Anakin Skywalker now—recall
The man thou wert and rescue thy dear son!
[Darth Vader lifts Emperor Palpatine and throws him down a long shaft where he is killed amid his lightning and flames]
>VADER: O Luke, I prithee: render thy support
And help me take this mask off.
LUKE: —If I do,
Dear father, thou shalt surely meet thy death.
VADER: Aye. Naught shall stop that now, my son. Just once.
Let me look on thee with mine own eyes, Luke—
These eyes that miss’d your mewling newborn face,
These eyes that did not see your budding youth,
These eyes that were not there to see you grow,
These eyes that saw thee not when thou wert train’d.
I prithee, let these eyes see thee at last.
‘Twill be a fitting prelude to my death.
LUKE: My father, thou dost break my heart in twain.
Behold, for thou shalt see thy son, indeed.
[Luke Skywalker removes Darth Vader’s mask time reveal Anakin Skywalker]
ANAKIN: My misting eyes are nothing like my son’s—
Thou art so beautiful to me. How strong
Thy features, with thy mother’s gentle face.
A man thou art, and ev’ry part my son.
I never have been prouder, all my life.
These final moments are pure gift.
*cries in Skywalker*
November 6, 2015
If humor be the food of love, read on!
As with the hilarious Verily, A New Hope which I listened to in June, The Jedi Doth Return (yes, I know, I skipped one) has all the wonderful quotes from Shakespeare and the Star Wars films. And if that isn't enough, this one brings in the brilliant Ewoks and a certain smuggler sings a little ditty at the end.
While likely wonderful to read, I definitely recommend the audiobooks. It is like sitting in the audience of a play...or a rowdy performance at a Ren Faire. I can't wait for audio of the other episodes to be released!
As with the hilarious Verily, A New Hope which I listened to in June, The Jedi Doth Return (yes, I know, I skipped one) has all the wonderful quotes from Shakespeare and the Star Wars films. And if that isn't enough, this one brings in the brilliant Ewoks and a certain smuggler sings a little ditty at the end.
While likely wonderful to read, I definitely recommend the audiobooks. It is like sitting in the audience of a play...or a rowdy performance at a Ren Faire. I can't wait for audio of the other episodes to be released!
February 12, 2015
So entertaining! Like the author, this is my favorite of the Star Wars movies, so it was really enjoyable to experience it through Shakespeare. It was cool to get inside the character's heads in their soliloquies, and I really appreciated the added or emphasized depth to the characters, especially Darth Vader. I highly recommend this series for fun quick read.
And there are more coming out too!
http://www.quirkbooks.com/book/willia...
And there are more coming out too!
http://www.quirkbooks.com/book/willia...
July 27, 2015
Not quite as good as the first two, but still very delightful. I love seeing favorite parts of Shakespeare plays spattered throughout Star Wars. "Lando doth protest too much, methinks." I can't wait to see what Ian Doescher does with the prequels. Perhaps he could redeem Jar-Jar.
August 26, 2019
The last part of the original trilogy in Shakespearean style! I'm a big fan of the original trilogy, although it has to be said that I'm not that fond of the Ewoks, which do play a big part in the closing part of this saga. So, how doth this part last fare in review?
Rancor: [sings] They shriek at my mystique,
my teeth they'll die beneath,
A feast made for a beast,
A treat that I may eat!
As with the other two books in the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series this book is written as if it were a Shakespearean play. The book is accompanied by illustrations and the story is told by the actors and the chorus. The way Ian Doescher portrays all of the characters we all know and love is simply lovely. Yoda speaks in haikus, Han and Leia in rhyme when they speak to one another, and R2 plays the role of the play's fool and even has the closing words in this book.
Scout 4: "Ha! There's rebel scum who shall no more
Make trouble for our mighty Empire. We
Are e'er the strongest in the galaxy,
With pilots such as I whose skills is —O!— "
[Imperial Scout 4 collides with a tree and dies.
I really enjoyed reading this book and if you're a Star Wars fan, you'll love all of the subtle humour and references in this lovely version of the classic tale of Darth Vader's redemption. The book is a quick read and I have to admit, I want to add the prequel and sequel books to my collection now as well! Since they're all hardcovers they look great in any bookcase too!
C-3PO: "O, it is rather an emberassment
Good Gen'ral Solo. It appears that thou
Shalt be the main course at a banquet in
My honor. I am quite asham'd, good Sir,
And promise I shall not enjoy the meal."
Final score:
Cover art: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Paper smell: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Print/lettering: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Originality: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Happy reading!
-Jeffrey
Rancor: [sings] They shriek at my mystique,
my teeth they'll die beneath,
A feast made for a beast,
A treat that I may eat!
As with the other two books in the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series this book is written as if it were a Shakespearean play. The book is accompanied by illustrations and the story is told by the actors and the chorus. The way Ian Doescher portrays all of the characters we all know and love is simply lovely. Yoda speaks in haikus, Han and Leia in rhyme when they speak to one another, and R2 plays the role of the play's fool and even has the closing words in this book.
Scout 4: "Ha! There's rebel scum who shall no more
Make trouble for our mighty Empire. We
Are e'er the strongest in the galaxy,
With pilots such as I whose skills is —O!— "
[Imperial Scout 4 collides with a tree and dies.
I really enjoyed reading this book and if you're a Star Wars fan, you'll love all of the subtle humour and references in this lovely version of the classic tale of Darth Vader's redemption. The book is a quick read and I have to admit, I want to add the prequel and sequel books to my collection now as well! Since they're all hardcovers they look great in any bookcase too!
C-3PO: "O, it is rather an emberassment
Good Gen'ral Solo. It appears that thou
Shalt be the main course at a banquet in
My honor. I am quite asham'd, good Sir,
And promise I shall not enjoy the meal."
Final score:
Cover art: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Paper smell: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Print/lettering: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Originality: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Happy reading!
-Jeffrey
February 6, 2022
I love them so much 😭😭😭😭
February 27, 2018
Me encanta que la historia incluya ilustraciones acordes al estilo xD Necesito tener estos libros en mi casa (y eso que todavía tengo que enfrentarme a las adaptaciones de la precuela, que incluyen a Shakespeare Jar Jar jajajaja)
May 21, 2023
This was a gift from one of my students and wow what a gift it was!! I have always enjoyed Shakespeare and reading it aloud is so much more beautiful. I found myself often reading this aloud at home, falling freely into the verse and rhythm. It’s a literal retelling of the film script. I particularly enjoy how the author makes R2 like the narrator and how he gives the Ewoks and Jabba their own dialect. It’s masterful.
August 20, 2014
Who would have thought Shakespeare could be so awesome? Not I, that's for sure. But let me backtrack... Whilst earning my undergrad degree, which was in communications, I had to take several required English/literature-themed classes. Ditto for when I went back to school to get my MLIS. So the works of the Bard were pretty much unavoidable. Sure, I could tolerate watching those works performed, but reading them? Well, I'm gonna admit it: Reading Shakespeare was torture. Absolute torture. Oftentimes I'd read the same passage over and over or, worse, read several passages and realize that, alas!, I didn't comprehend a word of it.
Then I stumbled upon the William Shakespeare's Star Wars trilogy and thought to myself, "Alissa, this has got to be the most bizarre, quirky, messed-up mash-up ever to hit the literary world." As a diehard fan of the original Star Wars trilogy (sorry Star Trek), I just HAD to check it out, potentially annoying Shakespearian dialect be damned. What I discovered was pure awesomeness. Ian Doescher is a genius! After reading these books... Well, I may not be a big Shakespeare fan, but I certainly have a better appreciation for his works. Or maybe I just liked revisiting a favorite story in this format.
At any rate, The Jedi Doth Return was a fantastic finish to the trilogy. I'd recommend these books to anyone!
Then I stumbled upon the William Shakespeare's Star Wars trilogy and thought to myself, "Alissa, this has got to be the most bizarre, quirky, messed-up mash-up ever to hit the literary world." As a diehard fan of the original Star Wars trilogy (sorry Star Trek), I just HAD to check it out, potentially annoying Shakespearian dialect be damned. What I discovered was pure awesomeness. Ian Doescher is a genius! After reading these books... Well, I may not be a big Shakespeare fan, but I certainly have a better appreciation for his works. Or maybe I just liked revisiting a favorite story in this format.
At any rate, The Jedi Doth Return was a fantastic finish to the trilogy. I'd recommend these books to anyone!
July 5, 2016
Seriously, these books are the best. R2-D2 is so sassy. Han sings. And the illustrations. Omg.
Admiral Ackbar
All Star Wars fans should check these out. So much squee.
Admiral Ackbar
All Star Wars fans should check these out. So much squee.
January 26, 2021
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this one, since Return of the Jedi is pretty far down my Star Wars movie ranking. The first and fourth acts were the strongest, but this was overall really good, and I highly recommend it!
July 9, 2016
These books make my little nerd heart so happy. I don't think this one was quite as strong as the first two, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 2, 2024
Almost as good as the first one. 4.6 stars
May 30, 2023
I love each of these books more than the last. They remain faithful to the Star Wars canon, thanks in part to the oversight of Lucasfilm but also to the love the author has for the Star Wars movies. I love the way actual Shakespearean quotes are worked into the story. I also love the way the author plays with the Star Wars languages. The languages are at least partly accurate, but there is room for some variation and whimsy. The Ewoks spoke in quatrains that started with 2 Ewok words, then drifted into something like pidgin English, ending with rhyming nonsense words. It's just fun. To highlight Yoda's unique way of speaking, the author uses haiku. The story ends with a typical Shakespearean monologue given by R2-D2 in a manner that made me think of Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. I continue to be impressed by how adroitly the author tells the story with Shakespearean language, iambic pentameter, and clever language devices to differentiate certain characters. I recommend this to any Star Wars fan. It is humorous and insightful as it uses asides to delve into the characters' inner thoughts.
September 15, 2020
Truly, Star Wars was made for Shakespeare. This book is just amazing - a perfect combination of nerdy fandom but with far more depth and character development that any of the prequels or sequels accomplish. After the author’s note I cannot wait to pick up Empire, and these are books I’m so glad to own. Initially they seemed like just goofy and fun, but the attention to detail and depth is truly fantastic.
Standouts in Jedi include many soliloquys - the rancor keeper (relies heavily on Tales from Jabba’s palace material), Leia’s realization of Luke being her brother, Wedge as the final battle approaches, Luke as he battles against the dark side, Vader as he fights for his soul, and R2 to end the book.
Standouts in Jedi include many soliloquys - the rancor keeper (relies heavily on Tales from Jabba’s palace material), Leia’s realization of Luke being her brother, Wedge as the final battle approaches, Luke as he battles against the dark side, Vader as he fights for his soul, and R2 to end the book.
October 30, 2023
It’s the weakest of the three, just like the film it’s based on, but is still a total delight with some of the best soliloquies of the trilogy. Doescher really outdid himself with Vader’s internal monologues—it got me feeling some genuine swells of emotion while cooking dinner tonight. I’m devastated to learn that they didn’t produce audiobooks for the rest of the saga (except for The Force Awakens) because I really can’t imagine experiencing them in any other way. They’re perfect encapsulations of the joys of the films and the unique pleasures of Shakespeare’s plays, and as bummed as I am that there aren’t six more to listen to, I love that they exist at all.
December 30, 2020
This was so epic and fun and different 😂😂 I had never read any novels by Shakespeare so of course I was a bit lost, but then I got used to it and it made me enjoy the story even more than I thought. I will admit sometimes the fact that the characters said what they were doing got some of the action away but oh well, it's the style. I really liked it and now I want to get all the movies in the same format 😍
October 31, 2022
Another seriously delightful romp through the Star Wars universe. I love that Doescher's brain put these two things together. The sound effects and the vocal impersonations of each character add so much to the performance of this book. AND I love the rules that Doescher made for himself in writing this -- for example, Yoda only speaks in haiku.
April 14, 2019
“Fie! ‘Tis a trap!”
I love this book! I love the William Shakespeare versions of Star Wars. A must read.
This was my OWLs requirement for a title with the word star in it. (The full title is William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return: Star Wars part the Sixth. Therefore, I am continuing it.)
I love this book! I love the William Shakespeare versions of Star Wars. A must read.
This was my OWLs requirement for a title with the word star in it. (The full title is William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return: Star Wars part the Sixth. Therefore, I am continuing it.)
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