Shakespeare

By: Peter Ackroyd

Narrated by: Simon Vance

This is the big one from Peter Ackroyd — and a worthy companion to London: The Biography.

Only Peter Ackroyd can combine readable narrative and unique observation with a sharp eye for the fascinating fact. His method is to position Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, he not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare’s life, but also imparts an amazing amount of vivid, interesting material about place, period and background.

Some snippets: Shakespeare was secretly a Roman Catholic; the witches in Macbeth were not hags but nymphs played by boys; the “best” bed was for guests which was why he bequeathed his wife his “second best” bed (the matrimonial bed in which he probably died); “ham acting” derives from the strutting walk which showed off the ham-strings; an actor called “Will” played female parts — could it have been Shakespeare himself? And, the strongest bond in the plays is between father and daughter, perhaps reflecting Shakespeare’s own family life.©2005 Peter Ackroyd; (P)2005 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“It really is a stupendous achievement . . . Peter Ackroyd is back at the height of his powers.”
–Phil Baker, Sunday Times

A marvelous biography

A comprehensive, fascinating biography of Shakespeare, comprehensive in its grasp of the age. The reading is also top-notch.

An excellent listen.

A very well researched and written book. Simon Vance was the ideal reader. Highly recommended.

I am so glad I chose this book!

I had read another Shakespeare bio many years ago (Will in the World) but I feel I learned so much more from this book. Simon Vance's narration is utterly clear and perfect. Ackroyd's research was amazingly extensive and his ability to synthethize it in entertaining prose was compelling. So compelling that several times I found myself listening late into the night, unable to "put the book down." It was that good. I eventually got the Kindle version so I could highlight passages and see the footnotes. I haven't read any of Ackroyd's another books but I highly recommend this one.

A balanced appreciation of theater's incomparable genius

Shakespeare: A Biography is a rare achievement, a richly detailed and balanced portrait of a figure whose creative genius and biographical normalcy invite theatrical excesses of speculation. This work allows the reader to focus on the arc, the patterns, and the concrete achievements of Shakespeare's life and work. Other books may fire the reader's imagination more, but for a passionately comprehensive Account of Shakespeare's life, his emergent profession, his creative process, and the time in which he lived, Ackroyd's is the finest imaginable overview. Simon Vance reads beautifully, clearly, and with just enough dramatic flair to enliven the listening experience without wearying the listener.

Much ado about something

This is a wonderful book. I never read nor heard nor watched Shakespeare's plays, but now I will and will have benefitted from the understanding that Mr Ackroid provids. I listened to the book because I knew I had missed an experience.

The reader, Simon Vance, was excellent and must have tried to connect Shakespeare's friend John Aubry with Patrick O'Brian's Captain of the "Surprise".