A Theatergoer's Guide to Shakespeare (Hardcover)

by Robert Thomas Fallon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
For over 400 years, William Shakespeare's plays have entertained audiences around the world. Recent film versions of both his comedies and his tragedies have proved to be highly popular. Many people, however, are puzzled on their first encounter with Shakespeare, because of his language and allusions to the Elizabethan era. To solve this problem, Fallon (English, LaSalle Univ.; Divided Empire: Milton's Political Imagery) has written a book for the general reader that is free of academic jargon. He provides scene-by-scene and act-by-act plot summaries of the Bard's most frequently staged comedies, tragedies, and histories, furnishing the necessary background for a greater appreciation of Shakespeare's works and their timelessness. The result is an entertaining and accessible book that brings Shakespeare to life. Highly recommended for all libraries, whether high school, public, or academic. Howard Miller, St. Louis
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
There are lots of books about Shakespeare on the market, but few of them discuss the plots of every one of Shakespeare's plays in the detail that Fallon affords. He begins each summary with a brief scholarly introduction that places the particular play in the Shakespearean canon and in some cases provides helpful historical information. Thereafter Fallon maps out, with faultless accuracy, the twists and turns of every play from King Lear to The Two Noble Kinsmen. Fallon's achievement is impressive, though somewhat diminished by the fact that he writes dry, lifeless prose. Still, the book will be a worthy addition to any theater-reference collection. Jack Helbig
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher (April 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566633427
• ISBN-13: 978-1566633420
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,144,370 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Choose this Superb NOT "Dumbed-Down" Intro to Shakespeare!, March 19, 2001

By A Customer

In this fine introduction to Shakespeare, Prof. Robert Fallon had more sense than to try to "dumb down" Shakespeare. It can't be done--however, you CAN approach Shakespeare simply and cleanly, as the "Dummies" guides absolutely fail to do. The appropriate approach is to present the basics that are required to appreciate Shakespeare's plays, and that is exactly what Fallon has done in an enjoyable, highly readable text with no frills, distracting unfunny cartoons and trivia quizzes. To put my cards on the table, I worked in the recent past in a publishing company where I was not permitted to publish this excellent introductory guide myself, because it did not take a "for dummies" approach. I greatly regretted the stupidity of this decision (ever have a stupid boss?) and I salute Fallon for filling a need on the theater shelves of the bookstores. And bravo to his intelligent publisher Ivan R. Dee for putting out a well-designed volume. So take it from me, a theater lover for ages: This is the guide to choose if you want to begin to feel comfortable with Shakespeare or just want a solid guide to complement your experience of the plays.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides a companion to the plots, May 21, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

A Theatergoer's Guide To Shakespeare provides a companion to the plots, characters and themes of Shakespeare's plays, and will delight both beginning theater buffs and those studying Shakespeare. Fallon's treatment avoids the usual jargon and presents a clear picture of the play's events and characters, providing lively commentary on the plots and history. A recommended picks for a wide range of audiences, from students to drama fans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb for the dilettante..., November 7, 2008

By	C. Brandt "I gave the propina to Guy." - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Theatergoer's Guide to Shakespeare (Paperback)

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, you probably won't need this book. You'll attend the plays, read the plays, discuss the plays with like-minded folks, etc.

HOWEVER, if you are a person (like me) who HATES the theater--finds it almost intolerably boring and faggoty--but wants to educate yourself on the canonical works of the consensus greatest writer EVER, this is your book. This is the book which will guarantee you the $1,600 clue on Jeopardy!, and give you a decent shot at the $2,000 one.

Fallon is a good writer, and not prone to typos--though there are a few sprinkled throughout the five hundred pages. He outlines ALL of the plays carefully, cogently, and precisely, devoting more attention to the "better" plays, and giving the general idea of the "lesser" works.

He does an admirable job altogether, although I WISH he would have restrained himself from offering his oft-redundant politically correct commentary. He never gets tired of tut-tutting how PRIMITIVE the social customs of Shakespeare's day were--especially regarding the treatment of women. And "Othello" gives him a soapbox to wag a finger at racial attitudes in Renaissance Italy.

I don't think we need to be told time and again that these views are, by contemporary standards, simply ABHORRENT. (And I don't think that Shakespeare should be edited to appeal to modern bien-pensant sensibilities.)

But other than a few eye-rolls here and there, this book delivers the goods. If you have only two weeks to brush up on Shakespeare--even if you're starting at TOTAL ignorance--this is your BIBLE.