Tales from Shakespeare by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb
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Published in 1807, Tales from Shakespeare is exactly what it sounds like. Siblings Charles and Mary Lamb took the most famous plays—from the comedies like Twelfth Night to the tragedies like King Lear—and turned them into prose stories. They kept the essential plot, the famous characters, and the emotional core, but removed the complex Elizabethan language and the structure of a play. The result is a collection that reads like a series of gripping short stories.
Why You Should Read It
This book is a gift. It removes the biggest hurdle to enjoying Shakespeare: the initial confusion. By giving you the story straight, it lets you appreciate the incredible plots and characters first. You'll understand why Hamlet hesitates, feel the sting of Othello's jealousy, and get swept up in the magical confusion of the forest in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Knowing the story beforehand actually makes reading or watching the original plays more enjoyable, not less. You can focus on the poetry and the performance instead of just trying to keep up.
Final Verdict
This is the perfect starter kit for anyone curious about Shakespeare but unsure where to begin. It's also a fantastic read for younger readers (it was originally written for children!), book clubs, or anyone who just loves a well-told tale. If you've ever felt Shakespeare was 'not for you,' this charming, accessible book is here to prove you wrong.
This book is widely considered to be in the public domain. It serves as a testament to our shared literary heritage.
Kimberly Scott
1 year agoVery helpful, thanks.
Carol Lee
9 months agoRead this on my tablet, looks great.
Joseph Jackson
1 year agoAfter hearing about this author multiple times, the content flows smoothly from one chapter to the next. I couldn't put it down.
William Miller
1 year agoI stumbled upon this title and it manages to explain difficult concepts in plain English. I couldn't put it down.
Jennifer Ramirez
1 year agoA must-have for anyone studying this subject.