Review by Booklist Review
Folger Shakespeare Library director Karim-Cooper excellently introduces the work and context of William Shakespeare in this handsomely illustrated work with Renaissance-esque portraiture. After introducing the Bard and his possible education (as noted in the book, his intellectual origins are contested due to less documentation in the 1600s), she covers his life in London, the creation of The Globe Theater, the significance of the Tudors to his playwriting, the Elizabethan era at large, and actors and audiences that he worked with and performed for (including an important acknowledgement of the multiculturalism of London in Shakespeare's lifetime). What follows are simplified yet thorough overviews of eight of Shakespeare's most prominent plays, along with a supplemental contextualization of the work in history and its themes. The visual delight concludes with a note from the author, highlighting the importance of acknowledging Shakespeare's accessibility to commonfolk, despite the cultural assertion that Shakespeare can only be enjoyed by elites and academics, and the relevance his timeless plays still have to the modern era. A concluding timeline (noted to be a best estimate from legal documents, court records, etc.), glossary, and index conclude this comprehensive examination of the theatrical icon. This would make an excellent supplement to middle-grade or early high-school literature curricula or serve as a handy piece for young Bard researchers.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
