All About Books discussion

Shakespeare Saved My Life by Laura Bates is a powerful, true story about how literature can transform even the most unlikely lives. Bates, a university professor, takes Shakespeare into a maximum-security prison and begins teaching some of America’s most isolated inmates—including men in solitary confinement. At first, the project seems impossible: why would men who have been locked away for decades care about 400-year-old plays?

But what unfolds is extraordinary. One inmate in particular, Larry Newton—serving life without parole for murder—becomes her most brilliant student. Through Shakespeare’s words, Larry finds a new way to see himself, his past, and the world beyond prison walls. His insights into characters like Macbeth and Hamlet are startlingly original, proving that the themes of guilt, power, love, and redemption are as relevant in a prison cell as they are in a university classroom.

This book isn’t just about Shakespeare—it’s about the redemptive power of art, the resilience of the human spirit, and the way stories can connect us across divides of time, class, and circumstance. It’s moving, hopeful, and unforgettable—perfect for anyone who loves books that show how learning and empathy can change lives.

This is the spoiler free discussion thread, if you have already read the book or wish to discuss any spoilers, please go here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hope to start it by mid October!!!

I hadn't come across this book before but I always love reading things about the power of art etc. Might try and get to this in Nov :)

I read this not long ago but plan to re-read starting soon.
Speaking of Shakespeare—

I’m reading CS Lewis’s History of English Literature in the Sixteenth Century, which is way over my head but has some funny lines. One of the funniest to me is when he is discussing Shakespeare’s poem Venus and Adonis-
“Shakespeare’s Venus is a very ill-conceived temptress. She is made so much larger than her victim that she can throw his horse’s reins over one arm and tuck him under the other, and knows her own art so badly that she threatens, almost in her first words, to ‘smother’ him with kisses. Certain horrible interviews with voluminous female relatives in one’s early childhood inevitably recur to mind.”

I forgot to create some questions for this book. I will post them in the next comment. The questions encouraged me to pick up the book.

1. What did you think about the idea of using Shakespeare in a maximum-security prison—did it seem believable to you?
2. How do you think literature can help people understand themselves or change their outlook on life?
3. Which of Larry’s insights into Shakespeare’s characters did you find most surprising or powerful?
4. Do you think the themes in Shakespeare’s plays—like guilt, power, or redemption—are still relevant today? Why or why not?
5. How did reading about Larry’s transformation make you feel about the potential for personal change, even in difficult circumstances?
6. Did this book change the way you think about the role of education or art in rehabilitation?
7. Were there parts of the book that you found particularly moving or inspiring? Which ones, and why?
8. How does the relationship between Laura Bates and her students compare to traditional teacher-student dynamics?
9. What do you think this story says about the universality of human experiences across time and place?
10. Would you be interested in trying something like this—teaching literature in an unconventional or challenging setting?

Finished last week - but after that I was away and didn't have time to comment.
Let's see, to answer your points:

1. What did you think about the idea of using Shakespeare in a maximum-security prison—did it seem believable to you?
Yes, Shakespeare is always helpfull: in his writings you can find a lot of ideas you never though about. And having a lot of time to read and consider, could be helpfull to better understand it

2. How do you think literature can help people understand themselves or change their outlook on life?
Generally speaking literature - if it IS great literature - should always help you seeing yourserl; as Umberto Eco used to say a book if of the author as long as he's writing it; when it's out it's of the readers! You mirror yourself in great Literature, and understand - hopefully! - better who you are, and what you feel.

3. Which of Larry’s insights into Shakespeare’s characters did you find most surprising or powerful?
Don't know, King Lear?

4. Do you think the themes in Shakespeare’s plays—like guilt, power, or redemption—are still relevant today? Why or why not?
These are the REAL themes of life, as we see it also today: look at the world situation and the wars destroying people apparently without guilt on who is doing it!

5. How did reading about Larry’s transformation make you feel about the potential for personal change, even in difficult circumstances?
I think he is a particular personality; with a terrible fate. Not all that has happened to him could be transferred to others

6. Did this book change the way you think about the role of education or art in rehabilitation?
No, not partucularly

7. Were there parts of the book that you found particularly moving or inspiring? Which ones, and why? Larry's going back to terrible prison conditions: how can things like that be possible in a civilized country?

8. How does the relationship between Laura Bates and her students compare to traditional teacher-student dynamics?
To different the situation to have a proper comparison...

10. Would you be interested in trying something like this—teaching literature in an unconventional or challenging setting?
I don't think I'd be able of coping!!!

This book just really hits me hard. It’s almost overpowering to read (for example) of adolescent Newton being held for days in a mostly dark 5’ x 5’ cell in solitary confinement. I am more deeply impacted by the quote from Julius Caesar that he affirms- Every bondman in his own hand bears the power to cancel his captivity.