Shakespeare in a Nutshell

by James Muirden, David Eccles (Illustrator)

A book on a British treasure Shakespeare. It distills each of the thirty-six plays into a poem of a few pages.

Genres: Poetry, Shakespeare, Drama

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2004

About the author

James Muirden has written some thirty books on astronomy and space, in addition to A "Rhyming History of Britain" and "Shakespeare Well-Versed." He has also been a film reviewer and telescope maker. He lives with his wife and children in Devon, England.

Reviews

[Seb Yawlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the poetic summaries of Shakespeare’s plays collated in this book. I was actually recommended it whilst in Shakespeare’s birthplace house and I am pleased I bought it. The poems are great fun and either give a nice reminder of the plays or a basic foundation in which to watch them without knowing too much detail. A great collection which would appeal to lovers of poetry, Shakespeare or both!

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully entertaining summary of all of Shakespeare’s plays in verse. Humour is the method but every play is distilled to a few pages along with some comments on quality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in two days thanks to its addictive rhyming. I am left amazed at how contrived were so many of the Bard’s plots, and yet, could he write!
If you don’t like Shakespeare I doubt it will convert you but if you are a fan, this should amuse!

[Riley · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was unfunny and left me bored and skimming it at the end.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book would give me a quick overview of the Shakespeare plays I didn't know, and I suppose it does, but the supposedly funny verse it is written in was very confusing. I haven't learnt anything in a fun, entertaining way, I just feel more stupid than I did before.