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Will in the World

How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare

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Will in the World

Written by: Stephen Greenblatt
Narrated by: Peter Jay Fernandez
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Award-winning author Stephen Greenblatt is one of the most influential literary thinkers in the world. An acclaimed interpreter of Shakespeare's works, his ideas have changed the way countless people approach the classics. Now Greenblatt's uniquely brilliant voice delivers a magnificent biography of the Bard himself.

It is impossible to have any understanding of literature and not be familiar with William Shakepeare. He has influenced Western culture more than any other author. But how were Shakespeare's remarkable accomplishments even possible? How could a man without wealth, connections, or a university education move to London and quickly become the greatest playwright of all time? In this emerging narrative, Elizabethan England is reawakened, and we at last understand how Shakespeare became a legendary figure.

©2004 Stephen Greenblatt (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC Education Entertainment & Performing Arts Theatre Shakespeare England Middle Ages Entertainment Biography

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What the critics say

"This wonderful study, built on a lifetime's scholarship and a profound ability to perceive the life within the texts, creates as vivid and full portrait of Shakespeare as we are likely ever to have." (Publishers Weekly)
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What a fabulous book! I wish I had read it sooner, as all of a sudden much of Shakespeare now makes sense to me! I gather little is known for sure about many aspects of Shakespeare’s life, which has led to much speculation. You’d think that would make it hard to write a book about him, but with this author, the opposite is true. The possibilities are explored (eg. maybe he did this, possibly this happened, nonetheless his experiences at this time led to…), and put in the context of his works. An audiobook worked beautifully as well, as the narrator moved from explaining to performing, reciting lines. It was in these segments that I understood more about plays I had seen performed live. I thought I wasn’t really into Shakespeare, but my curiosity has been piqued… maybe I am afterall!

Helps me understand Shakespeare!

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