From the Publisher
Gorgeous new Shakespeare paperbacks.”
—Marlon James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings
“I have been using the Pelican Shakespeare for years in my lecture course—it's invaluable, the best individual-volume series available for students.”
—Marjorie Garber, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English and Visual and Environmental Studies, Harvard University
A Study of Shakespeare
In The Comedy of Errors we seem almost to stand again by the cradle of new-born comedy, and hear the first lisping and laughing accents run over from her baby lips in bubbling rhyme; but when the note changes we recognize the speech of gods.”
School Library Journal
Gr 6–9—These brief adaptations of individual plays have attractive, full-color panels illustrating the action and incorporating dialogue taken directly from the scripts. Each volume includes a cast list, a brief description of the setting, a short summary and analysis of the play, several famous phrases, a biography of the Bard, and list of his additional works. The artwork for As You Like It, Cymbeline, and The Comedy of Errors is done in a light palette of bright colors and pastels nicely suited to the subject matter, with characters drawn in a style heavily influenced by Japanese manga. Allen's illustrations for Henry VIII are more workmanlike and are in dark colors with numerous touches of royal purple. These books would probably work best as introductions to the plays for younger students or reluctant readers, as the additional materials and analysis are very basic. However, Cymbeline and Henry VIII seem odd choices for graphic adaptations for this age group, given that they are seldom if ever taught at the middle or high school level. As You Like It and The Comedy of Errors would probably receive more use. Purchase where needed.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ
