Shakespeare without the boring bits

by Humphrey Carpenter

Though written nearly four hundred years ago, the stories in Shakespeare's plays are relevant to any age. Stories of love, hate, jealousy, murder, greed, and magic. Comedies and tragedies to appeal to every taste. Humphrey Carpenter has retold the stories from twelve of Shakespeare's plays in an original and exciting way. Using contemporary language, each story is told from a different character's point of view and in a different style. Includes retellings

Genres: Shakespeare, Plays, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 1994

About the author

Humphrey William Bouverie Carpenter was an English biographer, writer, and radio broadcaster. He is known especially for his biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien and other members of the literary society the Inklings. He won a Mythopoeic Award for his book The Inklings in 1982.

Reviews

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, but ultimately unimportant retelling of several of Shakespeare's stories. Certain ideas are emphasized and others downplayed or cut. This probably tells us more about Humphrey Carpenter than it does about Shakespeare.

[Sae-chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there is no boring bits in Shakespeare's, but many many chunks I don't understand. But apparently this was the only book which I thought I could manage to read when I visited Stratford-upon-Avon 22 years ago. Well, at least this book was really without boring bits.

[Sara Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like the Reduced Shakespeare Company in print form. It is a quick read that gives a good introduction to the works of William Shakespeare in an interesting way.

[Gabrielle Geddes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but not particularly helpful in decoding Shakespeare if you don't already know the originals well.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for children and preteens who are struggling to understand Shakespeare. Helped alot when reading 'Romeo and Juliet' in year 5 and when reading 'the tempest' in year 8

[Thomas Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good description by a famous author like Humphrey Carpenter. Well recommended.

[W · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this would be along the lines of The Reduced Shakespeare Company, but this was far less appealing and humorous.

[Connie D]

Silly and fun. We read it aloud in the car, and especially enjoyed the questions for reflection.