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Gerit Quealy

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Botanical Shakespeare: An Illustrated Compendium of All the Flowers, Fruits, Herbs, Trees, Seeds, and Grasses Cited by the World's Greatest Playwright Hardcover – April 4, 2017

by Gerit Quealy (Author), Sumie Hasegawa Collins (Author), Helen Mirren (Foreword)

4.8 280 ratings

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A captivating, beautifully illustrated, one-of-a-kind color compendium of the flowers, fruits, herbs, trees, seeds, and grasses cited in the works of the world’s greatest playwright, William Shakespeare, accompanied by their companion quotes from all of his plays and poems. With a foreword by Dame Helen Mirren—the first foreword she has ever contributed.

In this striking compilation, Shakespeare historian Gerit Quealy and respected Japanese artist Sumié Hasegawa combine their knowledge and skill in this first and only book that examines every plant that appears in the works of Shakespeare.

Botanical Shakespeare opens with a brief look at the Bard’s relationship to the plants mentioned in his works—a diversity that illuminates his knowledge of the science of botany, as well as the colloquy, revealing his unmatched skill for creating metaphorical connections and interweaving substantive philosophy. At the heart of the book are "portraits" of the over 170 flowers, fruits, grains, grasses, trees, herbs, seeds and vegetables that Shakespeare mentions in his plays and poems. Botanical Shakespeare features a gorgeous color illustration of each, giving a "face" to the name, alongside the specific text in which it appears and the character(s) who utter the lines in which it is mentioned.

This fascinating visual compendium also includes a dictionary describing each plant—such as Eglantine, a wild rose with a slight prickle, cherished for its singular scent, superior to any other rose; and the difference between apples and apple-john—along with indices listing the botanical by play/poem, by character, and genus for easy reference, ideal for gardeners and thoughtful birthday gift-giving.

This breathtaking, incomparable collection of exquisite artwork and companion quotes offers unique depth and insight into Shakespeare and his timeless work through the unusual perspective of the plants themselves.

Review

“BOTANICAL SHAKESPEARE [is] a comprehensive guide to the flora that appears in Shakespeare’s work.” — The New York Times

“The book [has] stunning illustrations paired with beautiful (and, sometimes, downright bawdy) lines from Shakespeare.” — Paste Magazine

“Each plant’s one-page entry (a few get two) features a lovely full-color drawing and the line(s) where it appears, fully cited . . . Nature buffs and general readers as well as students will enjoy this interesting book, which is suitable for both browsing and quick reference.” — Booklist

From the Back Cover

In this stunning compilation, Shakespeare expert Gerit Quealy has teamed up with notable Japanese artist Sumié Hasegawa-Collins to create the most comprehensive collection of all the flowers, fruits, herbs, trees, seeds, and grasses mentioned in Shakespeare’s works, each paired with an exquisite illustration and corresponding quote.

Quealy supplements the dazzling main text with rich background information, explaining Shakespeare’s relationship to plants, describing his deep knowledge of botany—as well as colloquialisms—and his unmatched skill for creating metaphorical connections. An accompanying dictionary elaborates on each plant, providing facts, historical context, and anecdotes—such as the differences between an apple and an apple-john, how clinging burrs from the burdock plant that stick to anything brushing by became associated with obsessive crushes, and that the turnip is mentioned only once in all of Shakespeare, in the Merry Wives of Windsor, when Anne Page says she prefers Death by Vegetable to marrying a foolish suitor.

Twenty years in the making, Botanical Shakespeare is a labor of love from illustrator Hasegawa-Collins and Quealy, whose combined passion for both Shakespeare and plants has resulted in this beautiful and meticulous compendium that leaves no petal unturned.

Print length

208 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Harper
Publication date

April 4, 2017
Dimensions

6.5 x 0.84 x 9.38 inches
ISBN-10

9780062469892
ISBN-13

978-0062469892
See all details

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0062469894
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper; Illustrated edition (April 4, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780062469892
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062469892
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.7 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.84 x 9.38 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #96,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #39 in Shakespeare Literary Criticism
- #54 in Flowers in Biological Sciences
- #139 in Shakespeare Dramas & Plays

Customer Reviews:
4.8 280 ratings

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Gerit Quealy

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Writer/editor/speaker/spy Gerit Quealy is the author/editor of Botanical Shakespeare from HarperDesign /HarperCollins, 2017.

As a journalist, she's covered everything from lipstick to Shakespeare, pieces ranging from dollhouses to birdhouses; beauty, brownies, and brides, in outlets such as the New York Times, Country Living, Woman's Day, Modern Bride, etc.

She’s had her hand in a number of other books, which pulled in former stints as an actor (Ryan's Hope, &c.), but her overriding passion is for history (& paleography!), embracing the Renaissance tenet of 'Learning through Delight' & to that end is currently at work on a TV docu-series called FLOTUS: Playing the Woman Card in the White House.

Her secret wish: To appropriate anyone else's spare time in the form of rollover minutes (frequent flyer miles will do, too).

www.botanicalshakespeare.com

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Virginia Hammer

What a graceful gift to the world - Thanks forevermore

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

What a graceful gift to the whole world Ms. Quealy has given us all. This is clearly the painstaking work of many, MANY years of expertise and the kind of in-depth, loving knowledge that only true scholars possess. What makes this book so special, though, is the way the author and illustrator make it so easy for all of us, whether new to Shakespeare or lovers since childhood, to jump in and appreciate some of the most beautiful, playful, Nature-born words AND gifts of the soil we human beings are lucky enough to share.

This is the kind of book that someone needed to do but no one, 'til now, had the caring, loving and husbandring patience heretofore. Aren't we lucky, now in 2017 onwards!

I've bought 4 copies already and everyone I've given this book to - they make PERFECT gifts - has loved it.
The perfect spirit-restorer, too, to keep on your own shelves for many decades, to be returned to, with delight, whenever you're feelin' blue.

Aaaahhh, the pictures! Heavenly. Balm. Almost more beautiful than their originals in Nature.

Ms. Quealy has collected here, with such relaxed ease, in a marvelously fun, ORGANIZED (Yay) way, just about everything about the gentle, colorful, bountiful harvest of the abundant English countryside, which Shakespeare's kings, nobles, farmers, goofballs, maidens ... every character he wrote! has ever said about plants. WOW!
Whether bitter as a nettle, sweet and yummy as a costard apple, medicinal as a yarrow.

That's a LOT of grace.

Thanks evermore, Gerit Quealy and Sumie Hasagawa-Collins! It's so hard to find Beauty nowadays, in a world so woefully cut off from Nature. You restore our collective spirit. Brava, bravi (female version: brave w/ an accent agu!) always.

2 people found this helpful

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and Grasses Cited by the World's Greatest Playwright by Gerit Quealy

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Botanical Shakespeare: An Illustrated Compendium of All the Flowers, Fruits, Herbs, Trees, Seeds, and Grasses Cited by the World's Greatest Playwright by Gerit Quealy, and illustrator Sumie Hasegawa Collins is simply put, a beautiful book. If you love Shakespeare, this is a great book that highlights some of his most interesting quotes. If you love flowers, and all things botanical, this is a great book that delves deep into that area. If you are into great art, this is a great book, and if you are drawn to a combination of all of these things, this is the perfect book for you. This is not a sit down and read from cover to cover kind of book, but one that you can pick up, marvel at the beauty and read a few Shakespeare quotes. Simply gorgeous illustrations set this book apart, and the forward by Helen Mirren is a work of art in itself. A lovely book to keep out at all times to make it readily available to anyone who wants to peer inside, this book is highly recommended for a delightful diversion.

8 people found this helpful

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Anna Cody

Beautiful Timeless Book

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2022

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If you love Shakespeare, plants, flowers, and lovely artwork, this is a no brainer. Open to any page and be treated to quotes and information about the plants mentioned. Such a beautiful book.

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DiscerningCustomer

So much more than pretty pictures :-)

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2017

Verified Purchase

Yes, this is a gorgeous volume. The illustrations are incredible, and pairing them with the quotations makes for wonderful browsing; the book is worth having on your shelf or coffee table for its beauty alone.

But my favorite parts of this book are the revelations. Anyone familiar with Shakespeare's oeuvre-- theater fans, academics, and literary sleuths -- will appreciate Botanical Shakespeare's academic scholarship: Why peonies aren't pictured, which poison killed Hamlet (Hint: It probably wasn't henbane or hemlock), and how the wordplay around the medlar fruit should make high school students blush. And the writer makes the topic come alive as vividly as the illustrator does, so it's not, as she cleverly puts it, "All Latin and Fenugreek." As a bonus, the last page of the book provides a link to a thorough list of plants by play, by character, and by species.

No botanist, teacher, florist, actor, autodidact, or curious reader should be without Botanical Shakespeare. Get thee to a bookstore! Or the convenient "Add to Cart" button!

11 people found this helpful

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Sara / Gull Cottage

Gorgeous Book! Fabulous pictures of Flowers - Nice Shakespearean Quotes!

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

I ordered three of these for gifts. Two were shipped together - one by itself. Books were in great condition and overall I am very pleased. Terrific seller. The books have incredible drawings of the flowers and wonderful Shakespearean quotes. My gardening friends are going to absolutely love these! Fast shipping! I rate this seller five stars!

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Libby

Beautiful book! Very thorough and the typography and graphics ...

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2017

Verified Purchase

Beautiful book! Very thorough and the typography and graphics are stunning. The cover is a nice canvas with embossing on the plant. Each page is just as pretty with small info blurbs about each reference. They are organized by book so if you were to look for one in particular it would be easy to find. My only complaint is that the book I received had a couple scratches to the cover and spine and on a book this pretty thats a shame.

One person found this helpful

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tgames

Masterpiece

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

This beautiful book is high quality inside and out. The binding is a lovely fabric with raised lettering, and the verses and drawings inside are equally breathtaking. The forward by Dame Helen Mirren is a special treasure. This book would be a cherished gift or personal keepsake. Purchase and enjoy forever.

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book is a must have for anyone who loves Shakespeare, plants, flowers and/or gardening. You are treated to stunning watercolors of every plant in the mentioned anywhere in the Shakespeare canon alongside the quotes in which the plants appear, a lovely intro by no less than Helen Mirren and a wealth of knowledge written with humor and insight about Shakespeare's works and their relation to the botanical world with section titles like "Shakespeare, Plants and Sex". And after you treat yourself to a copy, think of what a great gift it is for others. My sister has already asked for it for Christmas and I've already bought it for her, along with another as a gift for someone else who will love it. Highly recommended!

5 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

a. m.

Beautiful

Reviewed in Italy on June 21, 2022

Verified Purchase

A beautiful book, the drawings of the flowers are accompanied by numerous quotations taken from Shakespeare 's works. A valuable edition, ideal as a present.

Hilary

Botanical Shakespeare

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

A delightfully illustrated book and so interestingly compiled. No idea there were so many references to plants etc by Shakespeare.

Pooja

Labour of love: A kaleidoscope of beautiful illustrations and Shakespearean quotes.

Reviewed in India on July 23, 2021

Verified Purchase

A perfect gift for someone or a lovely addition to your own personal library.
Being an English Major, this book was a treat! Reading it transported me back to my college days. If you love painting, reading and literature then this book is a must buy.

Cristina Peña

Just dreamy

Reviewed in Spain on June 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

I've never seen any book as beautiful as this one. Best present I've ever receive

This Ivy House

I recommend this book

Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2020

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Beautifully illustrated book !

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