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William Shakespeare's Star Wars #9
William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker: Star Wars Part the Ninth
As our story opens, a sea of troubles threatens the valiant Resistance, who are pursued by the sound and fury of the vile First Order. Can Rey, Poe, Finn, Rose, BB-8, Chewbacca, and their allies overcome such toil and trouble? Shall Kylo Ren be proven fortune’s fool or master of his fate? What will become of the House of Skywalker? And is all well that ends well?
Authentic meter, stage directions, reimagined movie scenes and dialogue, and hidden Easter eggs will entertain and impress fans of Star Wars® and Shakespeare alike. Every scene and character from the film appears in the book, along with twenty woodcut-style illustrations that depict an Elizabethan version of the Star Wars® galaxy.
Authentic meter, stage directions, reimagined movie scenes and dialogue, and hidden Easter eggs will entertain and impress fans of Star Wars® and Shakespeare alike. Every scene and character from the film appears in the book, along with twenty woodcut-style illustrations that depict an Elizabethan version of the Star Wars® galaxy.
169 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2020
36 people are currently reading
996 people want to read
About the author
Ian Doescher
36 books724 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 74 reviews
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April 12, 2020My mouth is hanging open over this cover, oh my stars <3
February 17, 2022
An enjoy able adaptation of the Rise of Skyealker. I bit like the Empire Strikes Back (which had the perfect ground work to be converted into a Shakespearean play), both Rey and Ben have a stark resemblance to two of Shakespear's most famous couples. I do like the way this was played with as well as giving Finn a much bigger part and exploring more of his "abilities".
I have to say I have enjoyed all of the Star Wars Shakespearean books and this one is no exception. The art work is a bit hit and miss there are a couple of illustration of the Emperor on the throne that is spot on, then other with the characters in just goofy costumes I did not think worked. One thing I did fond weird is the Chewi's speech was translated at the bottom of the the page, Artoo was translated in the script but BB8 was not his language was left in beep and bleeps. I did find this a little odd.
If like me you enjoyed the other adaptations of the Star Wars saga book, I am sure you will enjoy this one. It is a quick read, with it's asides it adds aspects and shades to the movie.
I have to say I have enjoyed all of the Star Wars Shakespearean books and this one is no exception. The art work is a bit hit and miss there are a couple of illustration of the Emperor on the throne that is spot on, then other with the characters in just goofy costumes I did not think worked. One thing I did fond weird is the Chewi's speech was translated at the bottom of the the page, Artoo was translated in the script but BB8 was not his language was left in beep and bleeps. I did find this a little odd.
If like me you enjoyed the other adaptations of the Star Wars saga book, I am sure you will enjoy this one. It is a quick read, with it's asides it adds aspects and shades to the movie.
November 18, 2020
The First Order appears triumphant and the Resistance on it’s last legs when sudden the voice of a dead man echoes across the stars sending everyone to the Unknown Regions to either inaugurated or stop the execution of the Final Order. Ian Doescher’s William Shakespeare’s The Merry Rise of Skywalker concludes his adaptation of the Star Wars franchise the style of the Bard while dealing with the complete catastrophe that is the sequel trilogy.
After the difficult task of adapting Jedi the Last into a coherent play, Doescher had the less difficult though challenging task of adapting the official retconning of sections of the previous film into a Shakespearean play. With better written characters and somewhat better dialogue to adapt—though that’s not saying much—Doescher was able to stick with iambic pentameter throughout the play except for those special characters like Yoda whose speech patterns are different throughout the entire franchise. To challenge himself, Doescher once again infused the play with easter eggs and secret messages (Rey’s soliloquys) along with adding special dialogues for characters that didn’t have lines in the film but were portrayed by long-time contributors to the franchise. And the illustrations of characters in Elizabethan stage attire is a delightful addition to Doescher’s words.
The Merry Rise of Skywalker is based on a film that had to repair the damage of its predecessor and Ian Doescher was able to make a very good stage adaptation with what he was given though not as difficult as before. The rating of his book is based not on the original material, but Doescher’s hard work in adapting the films for the Elizabethan stage.
After the difficult task of adapting Jedi the Last into a coherent play, Doescher had the less difficult though challenging task of adapting the official retconning of sections of the previous film into a Shakespearean play. With better written characters and somewhat better dialogue to adapt—though that’s not saying much—Doescher was able to stick with iambic pentameter throughout the play except for those special characters like Yoda whose speech patterns are different throughout the entire franchise. To challenge himself, Doescher once again infused the play with easter eggs and secret messages (Rey’s soliloquys) along with adding special dialogues for characters that didn’t have lines in the film but were portrayed by long-time contributors to the franchise. And the illustrations of characters in Elizabethan stage attire is a delightful addition to Doescher’s words.
The Merry Rise of Skywalker is based on a film that had to repair the damage of its predecessor and Ian Doescher was able to make a very good stage adaptation with what he was given though not as difficult as before. The rating of his book is based not on the original material, but Doescher’s hard work in adapting the films for the Elizabethan stage.
February 1, 2021
A delightfully nerdy read which is also very pro-Reylo. Just sayin’. (*grins happily*)
ALSO, watch for Rey’s monologues: they are acrostic!
ALSO, watch for Rey’s monologues: they are acrostic!
July 29, 2020
I’ll repeat some of what I wrote in my reviews of Doescher’s other books: I’m a massive Star Wars fan; additionally, I love Shakespeare, so a book that combines these two things hits me square in my wheelhouse. I’m actually writing this review while wearing a T-shirt that I received for Father’s Day this year – a Tshirt with a picture of Han Solo saying “I know” (my wife’s Tshirt is Leia saying “I love you”). This book imagines Star Wars, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker as a Shakespearean play told in iambic pentameter, complete with acts, scenes, asides, and so forth. Many of the lines of dialogue are simply reinvented lines from the movie told in old English (“Yet fear not, Poe, for we are many more – There are far more of us who still have hope!”). Doescher does more than simply translate every line of the movie into Shakespearean prose, however. He creates scenes and monologues to complement and supplement the movie lines. For example, there’s a major turning point in Kylo Ren’s character about ¾ of the way through the movie – one of my favorite scenes of any Star Wars movie. Doescher gives voice to Kylo’s internal pivot in a monologue that legitimately made the scene better for me and brought me to genuine tears. In addition, Doescher decides to show off and pulls off what might be the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen done in a book – he provides a monologue to a cameo character played by John Williams and constructs the monologue in such a way that it embeds musical notes from one of Williams’ Star Wars themes. Fans of Star Wars will appreciate this; fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this; fans of both will LOVE this. This may end up being my top book of the year. Now can someone please pay Ian to write the Shakespearean version of Rogue One?
Want to read
April 29, 2020I mean, I still have to catch up on these books, but...
The cover! Stunning! Emotions are rising...
The cover! Stunning! Emotions are rising...
January 29, 2021
This would’ve been five stars, but the ending wasn’t as epic as it should’ve been. Seriously. I wish Doescher would’ve given those last few scenes the attention they deserve instead of summarizing them all in a couple of pages. The Hug deserves at least two pages. Okay, fine, I’m exaggerating about the hug, but it’s still jarring how quickly everything got wrapped up.
Nevertheless, I want to express gratitude for the love and care Doescher has given this trilogy and its characters. While many of us had to suffer through the near-constant male dismissal of the sequel trilogy (including dismissal and open hatred for Rey and Rose), it means a lot that he saw the value in the sequels and the depth they have to offer. For that I will always be grateful. So thank you, Ian Doescher. I will always be proud to love Star Wars alongside people like you.
Nevertheless, I want to express gratitude for the love and care Doescher has given this trilogy and its characters. While many of us had to suffer through the near-constant male dismissal of the sequel trilogy (including dismissal and open hatred for Rey and Rose), it means a lot that he saw the value in the sequels and the depth they have to offer. For that I will always be grateful. So thank you, Ian Doescher. I will always be proud to love Star Wars alongside people like you.
November 19, 2022
*exhales deeply* …. academy award 🥲
January 12, 2021
"No evil knave, no longer Kylo Ren. From now, I am a Solo once again. The son of Han and Leia. I am Ben Solo."
August 10, 2020
The three star rating is no reflection on Ian's treatment of the material; he did a fantastic job as usual, and if I were rating just his part I'd give it 4.5 stars. If I caught more Easter eggs which I know are there but just don't have sense enough to see them, and if I were more familiar with Shakespeare's more obscure works, I'd probably give his contribution five stars. However, he's shackled by a bad story that he didn't write, and you can put all the lipstick you want on a pig, but you still got a pig.
"Excusez moi?!"
Not that pigs are bad things... Sorry. Anyway, Ian was able to take The Phantom Menace and make it better, but The Phantom Menace is actually a good story. Several parts are poorly acted, and it has atrocious dialogue, and many parts are a bit slow, but the story is good; the characters and their actions make sense. The Rise of Skywalker can't make that claim, though it has better acting, and the dialogue isn't terrible. The acting and dialogue in the movies is actually moot because Ian greatly improves all of that in here, but there is so much so wrong and so off with the story that nothing you do will make it good. I'm going to resist going into my litany of problems here lest I use up this entire review space before I even get to the book, but every time we got to a scene that made me cringe, or sigh, or grind my teeth, or employ a face palm (which is about 75% of them), I was merely reminded that that part sucks, and not even barding it up could save it. And really, the problems aren't Ian's fault, and he does the best he can with what he has to work with.
I had high hopes for this because I'm convinced Ian is some kind of genius, and I really like his style, but those hopes were instantly dashed when I noticed that Palpatine isn't listed in the "dramatis personae" even though he's the first person mentioned in the prologue, is in the first scene, the second major character with lines, and really the whole reason there's any story at all. But I'm happy to report that's the only goof I noticed, and might be the only mistake in any of the nine books. But it might not be a goof. Ian seems pretty thorough, and there might be a perfectly good Shakespearean reason the main villain isn't listed. Oma Tres, a minor character with one soliloquy is also missing, but he could be one of the "workers" or "various creatures." I bring up Oma Tres only because he's played by John Williams in the movie.
Pictured here is one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time; I could sing his praises for eternity.
Anyway, Ian does something fun and damned impressive with his speech. If you turn it sideways, and count the dots on the lowercase i's as eighth notes (though technically they should be triplets) and the uppercase O's as quarter or half notes, then throw some lines in there to put the speech in the treble clef, and use the first three eighth notes as middle C, then you have the first few bars of the main Star Wars theme! This could make me cream my pants if I weren't already so boner down about the story, but how one could come up with such a thing... Impressive. Most impressive. Ian's a Jedi now.
Here are a few quotes I really liked:
I... "feel a chafing of my mind at these
Most unaccountable vicissitudes
Of fortune..."
At first I thought this might be an extremely fancy reworking of the "I've got a bad feeling about this" line, but after I studied it for a bit, I realized it doesn't mean that at all, and Poe doesn't say it at that part. Actually, Poe doesn't say it at all; Lando gets the line in this installment. Still, what an awesome quote! I'm going to see if I can work it into casual conversation soon. Hell, this is 2020. I could've inserted that at least three times a day since mid-March, and I expect opportunities will abound for the next few months; this'll be easy-peasey, and if I can't make it happen, then I just ain't trying hard enough.
"If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very soul."
This is Palpatine's swan song, and ain't it just as hardcore as can be?! It's actually Aaron the Moor's death line from Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. I don't know this because I'm well educated on Billy's works (I'm not sure that I've even heard of Titus Andronicus before), but because I have a penchant for research. I know there are a million other Shakespearean references in here, but I didn't catch a single one. I think Ian tries not to chew his cabbage twice, and by the ninth installment, he's used up all the famous scenes from the most well-known plays and is scraping the bottom of the barrel for material. Still, this is the kind of thing a Shakespearean scholar would eat up.
"Thou art a memory, and nothing more.
Thou art, mayhap, some undigested beef,
Thou art more gravy than come from the grave."
Kylo Ren (or Ben, rather) speaks this line, and how could I not love it? It comes from my all-time favorite book. This might've been the only Easter egg I caught without being pointed in the right direction, though I'm sure there are a ton more. Again, nine books, no cud if you can help it, pickings are slim.
Recommendation... If you liked the other books in this series, and liked the Rise of Skywalker movie, then it's a no-brainer; of course you should read this. If some parts of the movie have you shaking your head and wondering "why, dear Force, why," then I don't know. I enjoyed the bard treatment, and there was a lot of fun frivolity with the lines, but the story... and nonsense... and childish characters with no character development... and... you know I said I wasn't going to list my gripes, so I'm going to bow out now.
"Excusez moi?!"
Not that pigs are bad things... Sorry. Anyway, Ian was able to take The Phantom Menace and make it better, but The Phantom Menace is actually a good story. Several parts are poorly acted, and it has atrocious dialogue, and many parts are a bit slow, but the story is good; the characters and their actions make sense. The Rise of Skywalker can't make that claim, though it has better acting, and the dialogue isn't terrible. The acting and dialogue in the movies is actually moot because Ian greatly improves all of that in here, but there is so much so wrong and so off with the story that nothing you do will make it good. I'm going to resist going into my litany of problems here lest I use up this entire review space before I even get to the book, but every time we got to a scene that made me cringe, or sigh, or grind my teeth, or employ a face palm (which is about 75% of them), I was merely reminded that that part sucks, and not even barding it up could save it. And really, the problems aren't Ian's fault, and he does the best he can with what he has to work with.
I had high hopes for this because I'm convinced Ian is some kind of genius, and I really like his style, but those hopes were instantly dashed when I noticed that Palpatine isn't listed in the "dramatis personae" even though he's the first person mentioned in the prologue, is in the first scene, the second major character with lines, and really the whole reason there's any story at all. But I'm happy to report that's the only goof I noticed, and might be the only mistake in any of the nine books. But it might not be a goof. Ian seems pretty thorough, and there might be a perfectly good Shakespearean reason the main villain isn't listed. Oma Tres, a minor character with one soliloquy is also missing, but he could be one of the "workers" or "various creatures." I bring up Oma Tres only because he's played by John Williams in the movie.
Pictured here is one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time; I could sing his praises for eternity.
Anyway, Ian does something fun and damned impressive with his speech. If you turn it sideways, and count the dots on the lowercase i's as eighth notes (though technically they should be triplets) and the uppercase O's as quarter or half notes, then throw some lines in there to put the speech in the treble clef, and use the first three eighth notes as middle C, then you have the first few bars of the main Star Wars theme! This could make me cream my pants if I weren't already so boner down about the story, but how one could come up with such a thing... Impressive. Most impressive. Ian's a Jedi now.
Here are a few quotes I really liked:
I... "feel a chafing of my mind at these
Most unaccountable vicissitudes
Of fortune..."
At first I thought this might be an extremely fancy reworking of the "I've got a bad feeling about this" line, but after I studied it for a bit, I realized it doesn't mean that at all, and Poe doesn't say it at that part. Actually, Poe doesn't say it at all; Lando gets the line in this installment. Still, what an awesome quote! I'm going to see if I can work it into casual conversation soon. Hell, this is 2020. I could've inserted that at least three times a day since mid-March, and I expect opportunities will abound for the next few months; this'll be easy-peasey, and if I can't make it happen, then I just ain't trying hard enough.
"If one good deed in all my life I did,
I do repent it from my very soul."
This is Palpatine's swan song, and ain't it just as hardcore as can be?! It's actually Aaron the Moor's death line from Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. I don't know this because I'm well educated on Billy's works (I'm not sure that I've even heard of Titus Andronicus before), but because I have a penchant for research. I know there are a million other Shakespearean references in here, but I didn't catch a single one. I think Ian tries not to chew his cabbage twice, and by the ninth installment, he's used up all the famous scenes from the most well-known plays and is scraping the bottom of the barrel for material. Still, this is the kind of thing a Shakespearean scholar would eat up.
"Thou art a memory, and nothing more.
Thou art, mayhap, some undigested beef,
Thou art more gravy than come from the grave."
Kylo Ren (or Ben, rather) speaks this line, and how could I not love it? It comes from my all-time favorite book. This might've been the only Easter egg I caught without being pointed in the right direction, though I'm sure there are a ton more. Again, nine books, no cud if you can help it, pickings are slim.
Recommendation... If you liked the other books in this series, and liked the Rise of Skywalker movie, then it's a no-brainer; of course you should read this. If some parts of the movie have you shaking your head and wondering "why, dear Force, why," then I don't know. I enjoyed the bard treatment, and there was a lot of fun frivolity with the lines, but the story... and nonsense... and childish characters with no character development... and... you know I said I wasn't going to list my gripes, so I'm going to bow out now.
April 11, 2023
The Merry Rise of Skywalker by Ian Doescher is a brilliant and witty addition to the Star Wars franchise. This book is the ninth and final installment in the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series and brings a unique and entertaining twist to the events of Episode IX.
Doescher's writing is both clever and humorous, using the language and style of William Shakespeare to bring the story to life. The author's ability to blend the world of Star Wars with the language of the Bard is truly impressive, and the result is a delightful and entertaining read.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the way that Doescher was able to capture the personalities and motivations of the characters in a way that felt true to the original film. The dialogue is witty and clever, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you engaged from start to finish.
In addition, the book is beautifully illustrated, with stunning artwork that captures the essence of the Star Wars universe. The attention to detail in both the writing and illustrations is impressive and makes for a truly immersive reading experience.
Overall, The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a must-read for any Star Wars fan or lover of Shakespeare. It's a witty, entertaining, and beautifully written book that brings a fresh perspective to the beloved franchise. I highly recommend it!
Doescher's writing is both clever and humorous, using the language and style of William Shakespeare to bring the story to life. The author's ability to blend the world of Star Wars with the language of the Bard is truly impressive, and the result is a delightful and entertaining read.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the way that Doescher was able to capture the personalities and motivations of the characters in a way that felt true to the original film. The dialogue is witty and clever, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you engaged from start to finish.
In addition, the book is beautifully illustrated, with stunning artwork that captures the essence of the Star Wars universe. The attention to detail in both the writing and illustrations is impressive and makes for a truly immersive reading experience.
Overall, The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a must-read for any Star Wars fan or lover of Shakespeare. It's a witty, entertaining, and beautifully written book that brings a fresh perspective to the beloved franchise. I highly recommend it!
March 9, 2025
This one made me cry. I know it may sound ridiculous, but this series has completely reminded me why I loved Star Wars so much 6 years ago. I am ashamed I ever let people take that love and that joy away from me.
I remember loving this film when it came out. Was it the greatest piece of cinema history? No. But did it give me what I wanted from a space movie? Absolutely! This book reminded me why I loved it so much. Super fun, engaging, and HAS A REDEMPTION ARC!!
I am obsessed with these. I'm glad I read this one before the prequel trilogy because now I have more to read. I will be rereading these almost immediately I feel--just to pick up on some of the things I missed the first time around. Until then, may the force be with you always!!
I remember loving this film when it came out. Was it the greatest piece of cinema history? No. But did it give me what I wanted from a space movie? Absolutely! This book reminded me why I loved it so much. Super fun, engaging, and HAS A REDEMPTION ARC!!
I am obsessed with these. I'm glad I read this one before the prequel trilogy because now I have more to read. I will be rereading these almost immediately I feel--just to pick up on some of the things I missed the first time around. Until then, may the force be with you always!!
September 14, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 just because of how much joy this series as a whole as brought me. One of the biggest joys of this series is the Shakespeare twists on the most famous lines and scenes of Star Wars, and The Rise of Skywalker hasn't been around long enough to have a lot of those, and I think that's why I didn't like it just as much. LOVED the Christmas Carol allusion when Kylo Ren sees the ghost of his father, and the beautiful retelling of Romeo and Juliet's lines in one of the final scenes.
I'm sad these are at an end!
I'm sad these are at an end!
September 24, 2023
I love every one of these Star Wars parodies and Doesher's skill continues to impress. Sometimes it gives me new insight into the original movie. I loved the adaptation of Romeo and Juliet used by Kylo Ren and Rey as he gives her his life force to save her. In my opinion, that made it more touching than the movie scene. I could not believe the skill it took to include the Star Wars theme in lines spoken by a character that was a John Williams cameo in the movie. When the book is turned sideways, the capital Os and the dots over the lowercase is make musical notes from the theme song. I think rereading these books over and over would just yield more surprises. They always make me want to rewatch the movies and reread Shakespeare. I wish Shakespeare could be introduced in schools this way
December 6, 2020
This was not my favorite movie, but I enjoyed the Shakespeare version. I love this series. It brings Star Wars to life as a Shakespeare play. This story covers the third movie in the latest Star Wars trilogy. It was an enjoyable read.
October 7, 2020
The final book in the series did justice to the characters and plot. Ian Doescher did a great job with the entire series.
December 6, 2020
A great adaption, although the movie isn't my favorite.
February 11, 2021
William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is the fourth overall book I got for Christmas, the first of three Star Wars books, and the first book so far in 2021 that I've given a 3-star review to. This book is the ninth and final book in the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series, based on Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. (I think it would be interesting if Ian Doescher were to do Shakespearean versions of Rogue One and Solo, but that doesn't seem likely.) I've previously alternated between 4 and 5-star reviews for the first eight books in the series (William Shakespeare's Star Wars Verily, A New Hope, based on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope; William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back, based on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back; William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return, based on Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi; William Shakespeare's The Phantom of Menace, based on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace; William Shakespeare's The Clone Army Attacketh, based on Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones; William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of the Sith's Revenge, based on Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith; William Shakespeare's The Force Doth Awaken, based on Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens and William Shakespeare's Jedi The Last, based on Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi.), as well as William Shakespeare's Get Thee Back to the Future, based on the first Back to the Future movie. (BTW, I really want Ian Doescher to do Shakespearean versions of Back to the Future Parts II and III.)
Giving 3 stars to William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a step above the last book I read based on the ninth episodic Star Wars movie, the novelization of The Rise of Skywalker, by Rae Carson, which I read in December and rated 2 stars. My main issue with both books was Reylo. (The pairing of Rey and Kylo Ren.) However, Ian Doescher, unlike Rae Carson, isn't known for being a Reylo shipper. Yes, he compares Rey and Kylo to Romeo and Juliet in the Author's Note for The Merry Rise of Skywalker. And both the front and back covers are off-putting to me because they feature Rey and Kylo. But I think both of these things were done to bait or troll Reylo's more than anything. I mean, Doescher also makes a point to mention that while Romeo and Juliet both die in their play, here Kylo dies, while Rey survives. And the notorious Reylo kiss is mentioned, but thankfully, there isn't an illustration of it. My main reason for reading William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is that I came this far in the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series, that I might as well as have completed it. And I liked it. Like I said, this is the last book in the William Shakepeare's Star Wars series. But Ian Doescher's next book is William Shakespeare's Avengers: The Complete Works, to be released in July of this year. So, he's going from Star Wars to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe.) And that sounds really cool. I look forward to reading it.
Giving 3 stars to William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a step above the last book I read based on the ninth episodic Star Wars movie, the novelization of The Rise of Skywalker, by Rae Carson, which I read in December and rated 2 stars. My main issue with both books was Reylo. (The pairing of Rey and Kylo Ren.) However, Ian Doescher, unlike Rae Carson, isn't known for being a Reylo shipper. Yes, he compares Rey and Kylo to Romeo and Juliet in the Author's Note for The Merry Rise of Skywalker. And both the front and back covers are off-putting to me because they feature Rey and Kylo. But I think both of these things were done to bait or troll Reylo's more than anything. I mean, Doescher also makes a point to mention that while Romeo and Juliet both die in their play, here Kylo dies, while Rey survives. And the notorious Reylo kiss is mentioned, but thankfully, there isn't an illustration of it. My main reason for reading William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is that I came this far in the William Shakespeare's Star Wars series, that I might as well as have completed it. And I liked it. Like I said, this is the last book in the William Shakepeare's Star Wars series. But Ian Doescher's next book is William Shakespeare's Avengers: The Complete Works, to be released in July of this year. So, he's going from Star Wars to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe.) And that sounds really cool. I look forward to reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2024
From the beginning, readers know that this is a take on the movie–Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. It is a combination of tragedy and comedy, merging both genres from William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, into one unique creation. Rey and Kylo stand back to back on the cover with Leia below Kylo and Palpatine below Rey signifying the tragic opposition of their legacies and their fates. The title, however, a play on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, refers to a comedy where the audience’s favorite character is alive again for no reason, just like Palpatine. That self-awareness is what makes this read such a cathartic experience. It acknowledges that both deep emotional sadness is to be found in this story along with levity, something many craved from the film and the end of the saga.
As the story opens, a sea of troubles threatens the valiant Resistance, who are pursued by the sound and fury of the First Order. Rey, Poe, Finn, Rose, BB-8, Chewbacca, and their allies must overcome much toil and trouble. Kylo Ren will be proven to be either fortune’s fool or master of his fate. But what about the House of Skywalker? Is all well that ends well?
As in the first eight books of the series, the author has provided authentic meter, stage directions, reimagined movie scenes and dialogue, and hidden Easter eggs to entertain and impress both Star Wars® fans and lovers of Shakespeare. Every scene and character from the film appears in the book, along with illustrations that depict an Elizabethan version of the Star Wars® galaxy.
I didn’t expect to love the book, but I did. I found having seen the movie first to be helpful in understanding the Elizabethan English. My favorite soliloquy is that of Lando, the aged warrior and last of his generation, who must choose between fighting and sitting on the sidelines. My favorite element is the interpretation of Chewbacca’s dialogue provided in the footnotes. Who knew he was such a deep thinker? 4
As the story opens, a sea of troubles threatens the valiant Resistance, who are pursued by the sound and fury of the First Order. Rey, Poe, Finn, Rose, BB-8, Chewbacca, and their allies must overcome much toil and trouble. Kylo Ren will be proven to be either fortune’s fool or master of his fate. But what about the House of Skywalker? Is all well that ends well?
As in the first eight books of the series, the author has provided authentic meter, stage directions, reimagined movie scenes and dialogue, and hidden Easter eggs to entertain and impress both Star Wars® fans and lovers of Shakespeare. Every scene and character from the film appears in the book, along with illustrations that depict an Elizabethan version of the Star Wars® galaxy.
I didn’t expect to love the book, but I did. I found having seen the movie first to be helpful in understanding the Elizabethan English. My favorite soliloquy is that of Lando, the aged warrior and last of his generation, who must choose between fighting and sitting on the sidelines. My favorite element is the interpretation of Chewbacca’s dialogue provided in the footnotes. Who knew he was such a deep thinker? 4
May 10, 2021
William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is written by Ian Doescher and inspired by William Shakespeare and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. It is the ninth chronologically installment published in the William Shakespeare's Star War series.
I was glad that Doescher would continue his William Shakespeare's Star Wars series with the sequels too. He has done such a wonderful job with the original and surprisingly with the prequel trilogies as well that I knew that he would do the same with the sequel trilogy. So, it wasn't a surprise that I loved William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker as well.
For the most part Doescher is rather faithful to the source – except it is more humorous and character driven than I remembered the original film, but I think this might be par for the course with this series. Again, I will freely admit that I'm no Elizabethan English or Shakespearean expert, but I find that the transformation of the dialogue into Elizabethan English was rather well done. Again, I wouldn't call Doescher Shakespeare, but he is awfully close.
William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a nearly perfect amalgamation of Star Wars and iambic pentameter. Readers can really see Doescher growth in his Elizabethan writing – it seems that with each trilogy he gets stronger in his writing, which benefits the Sequel Trilogy greatly. It is interesting to read the relationship between the members of the resistance as they fight against the dark forces.
All in all, William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker was written rather well and a very interesting rendition of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker written in Elizabethan English.
I was glad that Doescher would continue his William Shakespeare's Star Wars series with the sequels too. He has done such a wonderful job with the original and surprisingly with the prequel trilogies as well that I knew that he would do the same with the sequel trilogy. So, it wasn't a surprise that I loved William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker as well.
For the most part Doescher is rather faithful to the source – except it is more humorous and character driven than I remembered the original film, but I think this might be par for the course with this series. Again, I will freely admit that I'm no Elizabethan English or Shakespearean expert, but I find that the transformation of the dialogue into Elizabethan English was rather well done. Again, I wouldn't call Doescher Shakespeare, but he is awfully close.
William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a nearly perfect amalgamation of Star Wars and iambic pentameter. Readers can really see Doescher growth in his Elizabethan writing – it seems that with each trilogy he gets stronger in his writing, which benefits the Sequel Trilogy greatly. It is interesting to read the relationship between the members of the resistance as they fight against the dark forces.
All in all, William Shakespeare's The Merry Rise of Skywalker was written rather well and a very interesting rendition of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker written in Elizabethan English.
April 13, 2022
This is the last of the William Shakespeare's Star Wars books in iambic pentameter that correspond to the movies. Over the years, I've recommended 8th/9th grades English teachers read these with their classes as readers theater and watch the movies, scene by corresponding scene.
As far as Doescher's book-length plays go, this has plenty of speaking roles for your classes and is perfect for a class of about 30 or so students. Some characters get a lot of speaking time, such as Rey and Kylo Ren, so spread those roles around. Also, some characters speak in prose, not verse. Or in specific types of verse, such as villains in villanelles and Yoda in haiku.
When students switch roles, they learn to identify the different forms of poetry and each speaker's unique traits. Poe Dameron, for example, makes Edgar Allen Poe references, and BB-8 uses skip code. In addition, Doescher uses a Chorus with this play, although it's very limited. I encourage you to use the Chorus as a full-class choral read. It occurs three times in this play, in the Prologue and Acts 4 and 5.
And despite the sonnet at the very end of the book that encourages you to head over to the publisher, Quirk, for an Educator's Guide, this book doesn't have one. Neither did book 8, Jedi, the Last. Doescher does explain, in an author's note, how he drew inspiration for the ending of the play from Romeo and Juliet. The parallels are many, but there are significant plot differences as well -- Rey lives, most significantly.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
As far as Doescher's book-length plays go, this has plenty of speaking roles for your classes and is perfect for a class of about 30 or so students. Some characters get a lot of speaking time, such as Rey and Kylo Ren, so spread those roles around. Also, some characters speak in prose, not verse. Or in specific types of verse, such as villains in villanelles and Yoda in haiku.
When students switch roles, they learn to identify the different forms of poetry and each speaker's unique traits. Poe Dameron, for example, makes Edgar Allen Poe references, and BB-8 uses skip code. In addition, Doescher uses a Chorus with this play, although it's very limited. I encourage you to use the Chorus as a full-class choral read. It occurs three times in this play, in the Prologue and Acts 4 and 5.
And despite the sonnet at the very end of the book that encourages you to head over to the publisher, Quirk, for an Educator's Guide, this book doesn't have one. Neither did book 8, Jedi, the Last. Doescher does explain, in an author's note, how he drew inspiration for the ending of the play from Romeo and Juliet. The parallels are many, but there are significant plot differences as well -- Rey lives, most significantly.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
December 30, 2020
In all honestly, I was prepared to give this a 3/5. This is no fault of Ian Doescher's at all, as this installment suffered from the same problem that dragged "The Phantom of Menace" down; the poor pacing of the source material. "The Rise of Skywalker" is pretty higgledy-piggledy when it comes to plot so, naturally, "The Merry Rise of Skywalker" is forced to follow suit. Fortunately, since writing "The Phantom of Menace", Doescher has developed a stronger presence, makes bolder strokes, and a has now a number of crafty tricks that make for more pleasant reading.
The author's full powers are on display to close out the William Shakespeare's Skywalker Saga, combining the characteristic choices from previous installments with brand new content quite seamlessly. It is no small feat that everyone remains distinct, engaging, and interesting as we jump from one to the next to the next in often blurry succession, with Doescher only stamping on the breaks a few times to really drive a monologue home.
Those monologues, again, are where Doescher's skill really shines, especially here at the end of a massive story cycle such as this. Each hero gets a beautiful wrap up, each villain gets a vicious villanelle, and fan-favorites get poetic send-offs because, frankly, the author is a fan, too.
In this final installment, messy as it may be, the reader gets treated to a look at Doescher's heart. I urge you to read the afterward because there is nothing quite as refreshing, especially right now, as the written word of a positive Star Wars fan. If nothing else, "The Merry Rise of Skywalker" serves as a much-needed reminder that we all love this funky galaxy far, far away in our way.
I certainly do.
The author's full powers are on display to close out the William Shakespeare's Skywalker Saga, combining the characteristic choices from previous installments with brand new content quite seamlessly. It is no small feat that everyone remains distinct, engaging, and interesting as we jump from one to the next to the next in often blurry succession, with Doescher only stamping on the breaks a few times to really drive a monologue home.
Those monologues, again, are where Doescher's skill really shines, especially here at the end of a massive story cycle such as this. Each hero gets a beautiful wrap up, each villain gets a vicious villanelle, and fan-favorites get poetic send-offs because, frankly, the author is a fan, too.
In this final installment, messy as it may be, the reader gets treated to a look at Doescher's heart. I urge you to read the afterward because there is nothing quite as refreshing, especially right now, as the written word of a positive Star Wars fan. If nothing else, "The Merry Rise of Skywalker" serves as a much-needed reminder that we all love this funky galaxy far, far away in our way.
I certainly do.
August 9, 2020
Recently, I’ve been very jaded by the Star Wars fandom.
The last trilogy has been haphazard and toxic fans have heavily infiltrated it to demanding remakes of movies and harassing actors online. For this reason is why I’ve mostly stepped away from all things Star Wars since they really have poor management of their franchise. My only two exceptions are the Mandalorian and Ian Doescher’s Shakespeare series.
I’ve read several of these over the course of starting this account and each one has been a delight to read. Most people just laugh and scoff at this premise, but despite the choice of language he still manages to keep everything we love about the movies and adding new details with inner monologue and fun little references to dialogue, writing, and speaking style.
That said, I have to say that this is the worst of the series, but I want to make this clear that this is NOT a criticism of Doeschier’s writing. It the fact he has movie that’s so trash, even he can’t save it. And he does his best here, but there’s not that much that can be saved.
I will say that it’s well worth it to pick up the Shakespeare Star Wars books, as well as his takes on Back to the Future and Mean Girls. (Haven’t read Clueless yet) If anything this is a ton of fun to get a group of friends together and do a table read!
The last trilogy has been haphazard and toxic fans have heavily infiltrated it to demanding remakes of movies and harassing actors online. For this reason is why I’ve mostly stepped away from all things Star Wars since they really have poor management of their franchise. My only two exceptions are the Mandalorian and Ian Doescher’s Shakespeare series.
I’ve read several of these over the course of starting this account and each one has been a delight to read. Most people just laugh and scoff at this premise, but despite the choice of language he still manages to keep everything we love about the movies and adding new details with inner monologue and fun little references to dialogue, writing, and speaking style.
That said, I have to say that this is the worst of the series, but I want to make this clear that this is NOT a criticism of Doeschier’s writing. It the fact he has movie that’s so trash, even he can’t save it. And he does his best here, but there’s not that much that can be saved.
I will say that it’s well worth it to pick up the Shakespeare Star Wars books, as well as his takes on Back to the Future and Mean Girls. (Haven’t read Clueless yet) If anything this is a ton of fun to get a group of friends together and do a table read!
April 9, 2021
Dare I say I enjoyed this version of the story more than I enjoyed the actual film? I know that the sequel trilogy has been the hottest bed of debate for Star Wars fans since Jar Jar Binks, but all their understandable problems aside, I enjoyed them a lot and always have fun watching Star Wars films. Doescher’s masterful handling of Shakespearean rhyme, meter, and syntax always make these books a fun experience, too. Which means I am actually considering re-watching the prequel trilogy for the first time since Revenge of the Sith was in theaters, just so I can read the Shakespearean renditions of those.
Which will inevitably lead me down the path of re-reading the rest of them. Ah, me. I can’t help it. They’re just so wonderful. They’re all things literary and geeky and I can’t get enough of them.
Also, if anyone out there in review land is reading this, do you know if these have been staged anywhere? I would pay good money to see these brought to life in a live performance.
Which will inevitably lead me down the path of re-reading the rest of them. Ah, me. I can’t help it. They’re just so wonderful. They’re all things literary and geeky and I can’t get enough of them.
Also, if anyone out there in review land is reading this, do you know if these have been staged anywhere? I would pay good money to see these brought to life in a live performance.
November 16, 2020
I love this series. It’s so silly and fun and really just a nice reprieve from everything else I’m reading.
As always, my major standout is the translations of Chewbacca’s lines. In particular, his final monologue, when receiving the medal. That brought genuine tears to my eyes, not going to lie.
I really enjoyed Palpatine in this as well. He is already such a grand and over the top villain that he made total sense as the Shakespearean evil he was here.
I can’t overstate how much I just find this whole concept to be really fun.
As always, my major standout is the translations of Chewbacca’s lines. In particular, his final monologue, when receiving the medal. That brought genuine tears to my eyes, not going to lie.
I really enjoyed Palpatine in this as well. He is already such a grand and over the top villain that he made total sense as the Shakespearean evil he was here.
I can’t overstate how much I just find this whole concept to be really fun.
December 4, 2022
Hated the movie....loved this book lol
For some reason, the plot makes me sense to me reading it as a play 😂
Like, I can understand why Rey kisses Ben, whereas that never made sense to me when I watched the movie. I also understand more of their missions and why Leia never became a Jedi.
It was all really well done and entertaining and I enjoyed this book. Hoping it comes out on audiobook soon, since book 7 was so well done! Highly recommend to Star Wars fans! Even those of us that aren't fans of the sequels 😉 haha
For some reason, the plot makes me sense to me reading it as a play 😂
Like, I can understand why Rey kisses Ben, whereas that never made sense to me when I watched the movie. I also understand more of their missions and why Leia never became a Jedi.
It was all really well done and entertaining and I enjoyed this book. Hoping it comes out on audiobook soon, since book 7 was so well done! Highly recommend to Star Wars fans! Even those of us that aren't fans of the sequels 😉 haha
May 26, 2024
Pros:
- Doescher really rededicated himself to the iambic pentameter in this book which I admire
- Reylo content :)
- C-3PO/R2 content
- Rey: (extremely depressing monologue) Porg: PORG!
- Ben’s turn to the light
- Kanan Jarrus, Jedi knight (and all my other lil buddies)
- Rey’s ending soliloquy
Cons:
- somehow Palpatine returned
- literally just the plot is so rough in this movie it makes it hard to read sorry
- and I don’t care for any of the characters added, plus it feels like no one except Reylo really got a good character wrap
- Doescher really rededicated himself to the iambic pentameter in this book which I admire
- Reylo content :)
- C-3PO/R2 content
- Rey: (extremely depressing monologue) Porg: PORG!
- Ben’s turn to the light
- Kanan Jarrus, Jedi knight (and all my other lil buddies)
- Rey’s ending soliloquy
Cons:
- somehow Palpatine returned
- literally just the plot is so rough in this movie it makes it hard to read sorry
- and I don’t care for any of the characters added, plus it feels like no one except Reylo really got a good character wrap
April 7, 2021
Once again, Ian Doescher captures the Star Wars film in iambic pentameter, giving callbacks to Shakespeare's works and setting the proverbial stage for the literal stage. While there may be some disagreements about the worth of The Rise of Skywalker as a film, this book should appeal to all, regardless of opinion. The way Doescher tells the tale as Shakespeare would gives it a new feel, and the structure makes it a fun read.
June 29, 2021
[Review provided by teen volunteer, Neev.] 5 Stars - The last book in the Star Wars Shakespeare books, Ian Doescher uses all the same elements he has built up over the last 8 books and is a great conclusion to the series. My favorite thing in this book is the use of soliloquies to show how Rey is feeling. Obviously, we don't see this in the movie so in this book it adds a lot to show how Rey is feeling. I also really like the Palpatine and Kylo Ren scenes. Overall, this book is a great ending to the series that still manages to add to the source material and the other 8 books.
August 27, 2021
Perchance by Ill choice did thy so choose’th thy forgone book as first to read from series complete. Having been not thy fan most bigeth of thy works of Shakespeare true, did I thus entangle myself on likewise the weakest of the offerings from the saga of thy noble Skywalkers. Though thy book was structured well of both thy source and thy profferings, fall short of complete exuberance did it to satisfy. So forsooth do I upon it doth the stars of four in ratings just.
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