As You Like It

Shakespeare Stories #10

by Andrew Matthews, Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Over two million Shakespeare Shorts sold! Discover the world of Shakespeare with this collection of brilliant stories - perfect for readers of all ages.

Duke Senior, exiled from court, takes refuge in the Forest of Arden with a group of loyal lords. Here, life is simple and peaceful - unlike life back at court, where Ferdinand's daughter, Rosalind, is tormented by her uncle, Duke Frederick. She decides to seek out her father in the forest, disguising herself as a boy for safety, but this creates all sorts of problems when she runs into her love, Orlando!

A wonderful retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy of mistaken identity.

Genres: Shakespeare, Classics, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Andrew Matthews was born in South Glamorgan in 1948. Andrew taught English in Hampshire after which he became a full-time writer. He lives in Reading with his wife and their cats. Andrew's work has been widely translated and he has made numerous appearances at schools and libraries throughout the UK.


Source: United Agents.

Reviews

[chev ۫ ꣑ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthearted and easy to read, this collection retold by Andrew Matthews is a good start for those who need a light read or are newly introduced to Shakespeare's works!
5/5 Chev's Picks
Recommended for: Those who just got started on classic literature, though it is not recommended for reading during exams
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[Luna fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like it but it kinda just felt like Romeo and Juliet but with the good ending only because,2 people fall in love but they don’t die like Romeo and Juliet sooooo………… they also get married not like Romeo and Juliet but I prove my point here.

[Completely Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in Wrap Up Vlog
https://youtu.be/WclWd4GpFDs

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

We listen and we don’t judge 💕

[Syd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in ten minutes-very easy to read (and funny\enjoyable too). Good thing too, because it was due the next day lol

Recommended ages 12 & up.

[cha! · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Forgive me, my Rosalind"
"When did I say that I was yours?" Rosalind asked sharply.
"I wish you were!" sighed Orlando. "Then sweet-talk me."
Orlando leaned closer.
"I'd rather kiss before we talk," he purred

ME: SCREAMING UNCONTROLLABLY

[Sakamoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shakespeare’s stories somehow worried me that some characters would die. This story has a relatively dark opening, seemingly paving ways to any possible deaths and unfortunate events.

📚

— Spoiler Alert —

I was particularly worried when the kind-hearted Rosalind was about to have both her father and her love Orlando back, Orlando was injured, luckily he’s not dead.

Luckily Celia stays true and nice to Rosalind until the end, unlike some of Shakespeare’s characters, whom would suddenly betrays their friend.

Considering the length of the book, some storylines seem to be closing out of a sudden, like how Duke Frederick and Oliver suddenly found their consciences; yet this story has a very happy ending for every character, which is unusually pleasant for Shakespeare’s plays I read.

📚

As the author puts, p.61:

“The play is not intended to be realistic. It is set in a world where disguises convince everybody, villains have sudden changes of heart, and love always wins in the end.

Shakespeare presents life not as it is, but how it ought to be - as we would like it, in fact”.

📚

My favourite quotes of the book:

1️⃣

"Life is a stage on which we play many parts," he [Jaques] said. "First we're babies, warm and wet at both ends, then we're schoolchildren, dragging ourselves to lessons. Next we play young lovers, who mope about, writing ridiculous poetry.

Then we're soldiers, diving into the mouths of cannon to prove our courage.

In middle age, we grow fat and bore the young with our wisdom. Lastly we shrink into the role of the elderly, toothless and deaf, and then we make our final exit, never to return."

— pp. 29-30

2️⃣

"You're not in love! People in love are miserable, but you look happy enough."

— Rosalind, p. 40

3️⃣

The power of Nature heals all wounds.

— Author, p. 61

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one does not make much sense to me: A daughter would agreed to say goodbye to her father who was exiled into a far away forest; she lived with her uncle (who banished her father) and his daughter. She then fall in love with the man she just met for the first time. The uncle who is a villain has a sudden change of heart and goes to a monastery, leaving the title and the properties to his brother who he banished before. All are very fairytale-like in a pretty ridiculous way - maybe because i'm from a different time so i can't get the meaning and the fun part of the story. However, it's always good to read more of Shakespeare's writing and get to know more about people from his time and what they expected from a play / a story.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read, along with watching a movie version, in preparation for seeing the play performed locally, especially to prepare my family who weren't at all familiar with the play. We bought a set of these adaptations at Costco many years ago when my children were younger, and every time we took them to see one of the plays, we would read one, and also sometimes others from the library. Very helpful—they weren't lost during the performance and they really enjoyed it. Knowing what's going on ahead of time really helped.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read more Shakespeare's but didn't know where to start so I bought the kids versions of his works. They are easy to understand and have some nice illustrations to look at, plus the covers are in my opinion so cute.
I found As You Like It really quite enjoyable, I will definitely be picking up the original.

[mairiachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, interesting, easy to follow. Perfect way to introduce a kid to Shakespeare (or, if you're like me, a perfect way to introduce yourself to Shakespeare so you'll understand what's going on when you join the big leagues and read the real, unabridged version haha). Would totally re-read this, it was so entertaining.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because there was a nice story and a diverse amount of characters and its good like another sake sphere book. it is a story of a handsome man and 2 women who are in love an get married this book is different because in other shake sphere books they have someone killed but here there is not it is good to see a change in the books

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is meant for a younger reader, it was an enjoyable and quick version of one of Shakespeare’s tales. The opening format, explaining the characters is excellent. Looking forward to reading the others.

[Zo]

A classic Shakespeare book. An unresolved love and a passion for greed. With many plot twists and family conflicts. This book is a reflection of true love not only for each other but for family and close relationships

[Rebecca Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read some Shakespeare but I didn't know where to start so a bought the kids versions of his works. so far I am enjoying them and will definitely be picking up the originals.


I really enjoyed this story and I am a big fan of all the happy endings.

[MiR · Rating 3 out of 5]

"وقتی بالای درختی باد می وزد ، نام رزالیند را صدا میزند ، وقتی ماهی در رودخانه شنا می کند ، درباره زیبایی رزالیند آواز می خواند " اورلندو گفت.
.
.
باز میگم رو مخه که خلاصه وار گفته میشه ولی بعد مدت ها شکسپیر یک عشق‌ شیرین رو گفت.

[KatieCatlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great book by Shakespeare about two girl best friends who much fight together against an evil uncle. Two run-a-way couples, who they should not have been together but are. Honestly, a great book but not the best from shakespeare

[Cleiah Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has always been one of my favourite books or play from Shakespeare, and I lobe Matthews' take on it. I have a collection of these books, which I can't wait to reread since I read all of these wince I was a child.

[Della Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Shakespeare Stories are brilliant! As for “As You Like It,” “It is set in a world where disguises convince everybody, villains have sudden changes of heart and love always wins in the end” (61). ❤️

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy plot introduction for children!

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

'' All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players''

[MAK KA · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing

[Munchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the Around the Year in 52 books challenge. Week 5: a book written or inspired by Shakespeare.

A short retelling of Shakespeares play, with cute illustrations.

[Liselotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of them that makes me want to read the real play!

[chelsea ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing story line, definitely my favourite one of Shakespeare’s works so far! A quick, easy and entertaining read!

[maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

School read because I didn’t get the story

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Done well

[Lottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Vipanchika Tharun · Rating 5 out of 5]

How romantic..

[Arrash Mazdai · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading 'As you like it'. A simple yet likeable story.