Author: Stephen Marche
Format: ARC
Published: Harper; May 2011
Pages: 224
Genre: Nonfiction
Grade: B
Source: Publisher
Synopsis: Did you know the name Jessica was first used in The Merchant of Venice?
Or that Freud's idea of a healthy sex life came from Shakespeake?
Nearly four hundred years after his death, Shakespeare permeates our everyday lives: from the words we speak to the teenage heartthrobs we worship to the political rhetoric spewed by the twenty-four-hour news cycle.
In the pages of this wickedly clever little book, Esquire columnist Stephen Marche uncovers the hidden influence of Shakespeare in our culture.
My Take: Let's be honest here, you are either a Shakespeare geek or you aren't. And if you aren't, there is probably nothing I can say here in this review that will make you want to run out and buy this book, but if you are a Shakespeare geek, like me, than you will probably find this book immensely interesting! Let me tell you a little history of how Amused By Books became a Shakespeare geek because she wasn't always one. No, at first, just like most adolescents she thought old William was a little stuffy and flowery for her liking and when forced to read him in high school he confused her overly-hormoned teenage brain. Then college hit and she studied abroad in London and took a Shakespeare studies class where we got to study the history of Shakespeare and his works in his home country. We got to see his plays as they were meant to be seen! Believe me, you could see the love and admiration for this fine playwright sweep over me and my fellow classmates as we toured the English countryside following his plays and drinking one too many pints of beer. So now when I see something about Shakespeare I smile fondly and want to learn more.
Marche's How Shakespeare Changed Everything has an interesting and bold premise and indeed the title gives it away. He believes that Shakespeare's influence was so far reaching that he touched all facets of human life as we know it and his affects are so monumental and routine now that we don't even realize it. For instance, to think of all of the words he coined, and Marche touches on many of them, is crazy. No other writer has done anything like him since. I had no idea that Shakespeare invented the name Jessica! Seriously, that was the name of every girl in my youth (can you say 1980s without meeting a girl named Jessica?!).Nearly four hundred years after his death, Shakespeare permeates our everyday lives: from the words we speak to the teenage heartthrobs we worship to the political rhetoric spewed by the twenty-four-hour news cycle.
In the pages of this wickedly clever little book, Esquire columnist Stephen Marche uncovers the hidden influence of Shakespeare in our culture.
My Take: Let's be honest here, you are either a Shakespeare geek or you aren't. And if you aren't, there is probably nothing I can say here in this review that will make you want to run out and buy this book, but if you are a Shakespeare geek, like me, than you will probably find this book immensely interesting! Let me tell you a little history of how Amused By Books became a Shakespeare geek because she wasn't always one. No, at first, just like most adolescents she thought old William was a little stuffy and flowery for her liking and when forced to read him in high school he confused her overly-hormoned teenage brain. Then college hit and she studied abroad in London and took a Shakespeare studies class where we got to study the history of Shakespeare and his works in his home country. We got to see his plays as they were meant to be seen! Believe me, you could see the love and admiration for this fine playwright sweep over me and my fellow classmates as we toured the English countryside following his plays and drinking one too many pints of beer. So now when I see something about Shakespeare I smile fondly and want to learn more.
To go along with Marche's premises is to go along for a fun ride. I had not realized how entangled John Wilkes Booth and his family were in play acting and Shakespeare's plays, particularly Julius Ceasar. Marche theorizes that when Booth assassinated (a word Shakespeare coined!) Lincoln, he got some of his inspiration from that very play.
Ultimately, it a quick book full of facts that will make you the highlight of your own Shakespeare witticisms at your next literary gala. Wait, you don't go to literary galas? Me either! Ok well maybe I'll share a factoid at my next bookclub over a cheese and cracker plate! But seriously, take this book for what it is, a fun filled book of Shakespearean anecdotes that will make you think, and some deep-thinking never hurt anybody!
Cover Lust: Hey Willy, I think you have a starling on your head!
I am not a Shakespearean geek but as an English major, I am still interested in the influence he has had. It's hard to fathom sometimes that someone that's been dead for centuries has made such an impact.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you studied abroad in England -- how awesome! I'm a huge Shakespeare fan myself and was so psyched to see The Globe when I was in London the first time. We went to Stratford-upon-Avon in April and saw Shakespeare's birthplace. So fun for an addict like me! This book definitely sounds like one I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI took a course on Shakespeare in college and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't consider myself a Shakespeare geek, but this book does sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteLove your review!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, yes it does sound good to me. It's just something about it
ReplyDeleteI had the same sort of experience with Shakespeare -- I wasn't really into him (or even knew much about his writing) until I did a Shakespeare in London class in college. I can't say that I love Shakespeare now, but seeing a play in the Globe was definitely an experience!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you're throwing around the term Shakespeare Geek I feel obliged to point out http://www.shakespearegeek.com where you're sure to find more of same.
ReplyDeleteI know, cuz that's my site. :) Hi.
And by the way I never read this book, mostly because the starling story isn't true and I figure that if the book is just about repeating a bunch of myths I'd already heard, it didn't seem all that interesting.
Duane - Hmm, now I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds intriguing. I will have to look into getting a copy.
ReplyDelete