The Facts On File Companion to Shakespeare

Gr 10 Up—Students and general readers with an interest in Shakespeare will benefit from the array of texts covered and the clear and concise essays and explanations of the Bard's works provided here. The set opens with several background essays discussing, among other topics, Shakespeare's life and the cultural and political climate in which he lived and worked. Other essays tackle his language (a potential rocky issue for novice readers) and the controversy still surrounding authorship of his works. These essays are only a substantive prelude to the assistance the work offers in deciphering and truly getting a firm grasp on Shakespeare's characters and themes: the rest of the volumes discuss each major poem and all of the plays credited to the man. Although the texts are not included, a synopsis of all of the action is, as are sections on "key passages" and "difficult passages" (likely to be well used), characters studies, and both classic and recent critical analyses. A thorough bibliography completes each analysis. This collection is a must-have for all public and school libraries. A serious, accessible discussion of Shakespeare's works and tools for the future study of it.—Carol Fazioli, Barth Elementary School, Pottstown, PA