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The Quest for Shakespeare Hardcover – April 1, 2008

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Joseph Pearce (Author)
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Joseph Pearce (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 38 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 275 pages
  • Publisher: Ignatius Press; 1st edition (April 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1586172247
  • ISBN-13: 978-1586172244
  • Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful book
By Stephen Moser on May 5, 2008
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Joseph Pearce proves Shakespeare's Catholicism with such a resounding slam dunk that it seems pointless to prolong any argument on the issue. Shakespeare was Catholic. Deal with it. It's time now to proceed to a serious discussion of the implications of this fact. And there are plenty of implications.

I believe this book is going to have ramifications beyond even what the author might expect. By that, I mean the way it may affect one on a personal level. For anyone (such as myself) who was born into Protestantism and who has English ancestry, it's very sobering to be reminded by the historical facts presented in this book that not only were all of our English ancestors Catholic, but that, in all likelihood, our families became Protestants due to the considerable pressure of the state, and not by choice. It is also a bit painful when reading the biographical sketches of the various personalities whose lives touched Shakespeare, each of whom responded to the Elizabethan reign of terror in different ways, to consider how each of us may be remembered by future generations.
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5.0 out of 5 starssuch stuff as dreams are made of
By Amazon Customer on June 14, 2008
Format: Hardcover
Joseph Pearce has written the most delightful book on Shakespeare I've ever come across. First, because the man is truly a gifted writer and has a sense of humor. Second, because he quickly demolishes the many silly myths and weird theories around Shakespeare's life. He pokes gentle fun at the folks who think Elizabeth I wrote the plays, or Daniel Dafoe, or the Earl of Oxford. Next he puts those who want to use Shakespeare to make their own point about sex and religion in their ignoble places. Then he swiftly goes on to the gist of the book. Did Shakespeare in some form or fashion hang on to his Catholic faith in spite of the terrible persecution of the times?

By looking at the evidence Pearce says yes, probably. His father was a discrete but resolute Catholic, his daughter Susanna was also a recussant. He was married by an ordained priest and lived in a town that was known for being a center of hard headed Catholicism. Like William Byrd he was probably excruciatingly careful--- he'd seen relatives and friends jailed and or killed for being Catholic afterall.

Quest for Shakespeare is quick, clever and charming. I'm so glad I bought it.
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4.0 out of 5 starsExcellent overview
By bookscdsdvdsandcoolstuff VINE VOICE on January 9, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This book is a much needed antidote to several "heresies" afoot about Shakespeare. First, I point out that the author of this book is a believing Roman Catholic who takes his faith seriously, and writes very well. While there are many excellent scholars who believe in Shakespeare's Catholicity, his work can be just as well interpreted from the perspective that Shakespeare himself was an Anglican, and good Shakespeare scholars disagree on the issue. Anglican practice in many regions did not differ all that much from Catholic praxis in any event (except for the horrible destruction of art and the "stripping of the altars."). If you want proof just attend a high Anglican Mass today. In many ways it will be more Catholic than the Catholic Mass itself post 1970. There is no way we will ever know if Shakespeare was a Catholic leaning Anglican completely loyal to the crown and the Church of England, or a closeted recusant Catholic. We simply do not know. This book may make a strong case, but having read it carefully there are only two things that are beyond doubt to my mind: a) John Shakespeare (William's father) was most definitely a recusant and a Catholic. What that says about the son I cannot know, and b) William Shakespeare was in fact an author and he is in fact responsible for his body of work, although he did work at times collaboratively.

It might seem to you, gentle reader, that this statement: "William Shakespeare was the author of some of the best literature in the history of the English language," is entirely non-controversial. Settled beyond a doubt! "Of course he is!" you shout. Or, perhaps, if you are younger, with all the commitment and linguistic competence of your generation, you shrug your shoulders and mutter a simple "duh.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsGood, though not what was hoped for
By Stratiotes Doxha Theon VINE VOICE on March 6, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Mr. Pearce has given all lovers of Shakespeare some solid food for thought in this thorough case for the bard's Catholic faith and convictions. Any history enthusiast familiar with the English reformation will find fascinating tidbits of information that support Eamon Duffy's assertions in The Voices of Morebath. The old faith refused to die despite the persecution and the way in which it survived is key to understanding why the question of Shakespeare's faith has been something of an enigma to historians. Some have argued that he was an enthusiastic protestant convert while others attempt to mold him into the post-enlightenment anti-theist (the logical progression of protestantism). But neither case is tenable in light of the questions raised in this work. Others have gone before along this line but Mr. Pearce has provided the most readable and accessible form of the Catholic Shakespeare case. My only disappointment is that the work focuses a lot on the life and influences of Shakespeare with few examples from his plays to support the case. It is understood that the author intends to dig deeper into the plays with later works but this reader was hoping for some teasers in this work. Such teasers might have convinced me to go immediately to the next book focusing on the plays. However, without the appetizer, there is less sense of anticipation for what follows. Still, that is hardly enough disappointment to give it less than 4 stars for being quite good. We suspect successor volume(s) that focus on the plays will be rated with 5 stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsbut does an excellent job of presenting the secondary and tertiary...

Very interesting book about the evidence of Shakespeare being raised, living as, and dying a Catholic. Read more

Published 3 months ago by ARG
5.0 out of 5 starsA great amount of clever reading

It's a classical Pearce, again. A great amount of clever reading, and thinking during and afterwards. And a great love for the author. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Jorge Norber Ferro
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Another of Joseph Pearce's thought-provoking volumes.
I look forward to reacquainting myself with Shakespeare.

Published 13 months ago by donald vaillancourt
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent; not only great research and compilement of material but a good read. The guy can write.

Published 15 months ago by Yolande Suzin
5.0 out of 5 starsA significant addition to the Shakespeare analyses

A valuable set of insights into the genius of Shakespeare.

Published 16 months ago by EdJoanne Hollatz
5.0 out of 5 starsI loved this book

I loved this book. Very well researched and extremely interesting. It gave me the desire to read Shakespeare with an eye towards his Catholic roots.

Published 23 months ago by David W Eickbusch
5.0 out of 5 starsFascinating

I couldn't put this book down. Like the author, I did not believe the premise of the book at first. Like the author, I was convinced by the mountain of evidence. Read more

Published on June 19, 2014 by Happy-and-lucky
4.0 out of 5 starsWell writen and persuavsively argued

If there is a downside to this book it is that so much evidence has been assembled and presented that it can get a bit tedious. Read more

Published on May 27, 2014 by John Redmond
5.0 out of 5 starsVery Interesting Analysis Of Shakespeare, Arguing That Shakespeare Was...

I recently read Joseph Pearse's book on J.R.R. Tolkien and decided to check out some of his other work. I started with this one. Read more

Published on February 16, 2014 by Mark Anderson
5.0 out of 5 starsInsightful

Although originaly a skeptic, the evidence is strong enough to sway me. A must read for any lover of theater and history.

Published on January 4, 2014 by guti9211

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