The Shakespeare Book of Lists: The Ultimate Guide to the Bard, His Plays, and How They'Ve Been Interpreted (And Misinterpreted) Through the Ages

by Michael LoMonico, Mike Lomonico

Catalogs Shakespeare's life, the Elizabethan era, his use of language, actors and actresses starring in film versions of his plays, memorable lines and expressions, and theaters and acting companies devoted to Shakespeare.

Genres: Shakespeare

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Karen Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and interesting read, a compilation of various lists concerning all things Shakespeare, including lists of the characters in each play, the many actors who've played them over the years, the various theaters all over the world that put on regular Shakespeare productions or entire festivals thereof, the heroes and the villains, the themes of the plays, extensive lists of the words he used (and which ones he actually invented himself or used in print for the first time, etc.), and so on. I know that sometimes books of lists can seem as if they're a bit too shallow, dry or dull, but this one is so well done and interesting, and actually manages to get into some depth in helping to explain the canon of Shakespeare to neophytes and aficionados who enjoy the plays but are still trying to get a more thorough understanding of them!

[Susan Liston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read lots of Shakespeare trivia type books, but this was one of the better ones. Lots of good, accessible information here.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for people who A) like Shakespeare and B) like lists. I fit both of those categories, so it was a nice read and has given me fun facts about Shakespeare plays, actors, characters, and the author himself.

There are great lists of the words that Shakespeare used and many different ways to view the characters and lines.

Some of the lists are his opinions, which may bother others but didn't bother me. I know what I like.

I will say that I wish in his play by play breakdown he would have put a summary of each play's plotline. That seems to be the biggest thing missing from this book, but overall it is a different type of reference book.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun way to view Shakespeare. Full of facts, synopsises, quotations, trivia and lists.