Entremeses

Gr 8 Up—A worthwhile collection of six classics. Cervantes wrote these one-act plays as critiques of 17th century society and its many social ills. The beautifully illustrated theatrical pieces highlight the author's appeal as a humorist. If not familiar with the "entremeses" as a genre, readers may well begin the book with the two impressive epilogues, one about Cervantes and the other analyzing a specific play, which explains and contextualizes the work. Color reproductions of art of the period help to situate the man and his writing within a historical context. This book is a gem on the topic, loaded with information, but also versatile as a fun read. The amusing plays will prove enjoyable to general audiences while the in-depth study sections will captivate serious students of literature. Although the language captures the life and diction of old Spain, the superb adaptations make these short comedies remarkably easy to understand. The ample footnotes, while optional for comprehension, offer rich insights.—Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA