Customer Reviews

The Tempest (Norton Critical Editions)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this a very helpful and interesting adjunct to the play proper (although, of course, it has the play in it). Like most NCE's it is stuffed with extras: primary sources, critical reactions and analyses, and creative reinterpretations. The price is a little higher than the Folger or other popular Shakepeare's paperbacks, but you get a lot of bang for only a few extra bucks. Pretty cool. I found it worked well as a "Teacher's Edition."

The Tempest and The Winter's Tale are late Shakespeare and both begin when most of the action has already taken place, so they reflect on what has transpired. Very beautiful ideas.

I am not a fan of Shakespeare, I have given him a few shots since high school (I think I first tried about 10 years ago to like him since everyone thinks he's so great) but I just don't really like him. Good writer, especially for his time, but I don't like him.

But like or not that's not what my review is about. You can read The Tempest online (might be illegal but meh) but I needed a academic copy and was recommended the Norton Critical Edition (NCE) which is funny since there are required readings from the supplements.

The only thing I don't really like about it (and this is just preference) is the foot notes aren't labeled in the text. Some people might prefer this as it unclutters the page but I often forget there are little notes because my other NCE books number all the notes. Not a big deal as by now Shakespeare is pretty easy to read, but it's just a little annoying (it seems whenever I would like some clarification on what a word means they don't note it, and other times I will be like "oh, woah, that's a lot of notes... eh, not too important").

Anyway, I ordered this used from Amazon (with Amazon prime) and it was much nicer than any other used books in class. Most peoples' books was full of markings and such and my book looks brand new. I am guessing someone else had it for a textbook and liked Shakespeare even less than myself (the binding wasn't even creased, I have started to abuse it myself though). I have ordered a few used Amazon books since this one and they are always pretty good but this one was exceptionally nice. I wouldn't worry about saving a few bucks to get used especially if it's something you probably won't use much for recreation.

Only 4 stars because I think Shakespeare is over rated but still a good writer.

this is a very good seller. if any problems they fix it immediately with no problem.