The Shakespeare Story-Book

“The Shakespeare Story-Book” by Mary Macleon is a collection of stories that retells the plays of William Shakespeare in a simple and engaging manner. The book is primarily aimed at children, but adults will also find it enjoyable and informative.

Introduction

The book opens with a brief introduction to William Shakespeare and his importance in English literature. The author emphasizes that Shakespeare’s plays are not just old stories but works of art that have stood the test of time. She also notes that the stories in the book have been adapted to suit a younger audience.

Retelling of the Plays

The book is divided into three parts, each containing a number of stories.

First Part

The first part retells some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, including “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “King Lear,” and “The Tempest.” The author does an excellent job of summarizing the plots and capturing the essence of the characters. She also includes quotations from the plays that help to bring the stories to life.

Second Part

The second part of the book contains stories that are based on Shakespeare’s plays but are not direct retellings. These stories include “The Fairies’ Revenge,” “The Merchant of Venice,” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” While not as well-known as the plays in the first part, these stories are still engaging and well-told.

Third Part

The third part of the book contain stories that are not base on Shakespeare’s plays but are set in the same time period and feature characters that may appear in the plays. These stories include “The Earl’s Revenge,” “The Lost Prince,” and “The Queen’s Page.” While these stories are not directly related to Shakespeare’s plays, they provide an interesting glimpse into the world of Elizabethan England.

Writing Style and Language

Mary Macleon’s writing style is clear, concise, and engaging. She has a talent for simplifying complex ideas and making them accessible to a younger audience. The language she uses is straightforward and easy to understand, while still maintaining the richness and beauty of Shakespeare’s original language. The use of quotations from the plays helps to reinforce the language and themes of the original works.

Illustrations

The book is beautifully illustrate by the artist, Anna Curtis. The illustrations are colorful and expressive, capturing the mood and atmosphere of the stories. They are also highly detail, providing a wealth of visual information that complements the text. The illustrations are a highlight of the book and will undoubtedly appeal to younger readers.

Conclusion

“The Shakespeare Story-Book” by Mary Macleon is an excellent introduction to the works of William Shakespeare. The stories are engaging and well-told, and the illustrations are beautiful. While the book is primarily aimed at children, adults will also find it enjoyable and informative. The author does an excellent job of simplifying the complex plots and characters of Shakespeare’s plays, making them accessible to a younger audience. The book would make an excellent addition to any school or home library and is highly recommend for anyone looking to introduce children to the world of Shakespeare.