Hamlet
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

To the "New Cambridge Shakespeare" text of Hamlet printed in the second part of this volume, Hapgood (Univ. of New Hampshire) appends a performance history and analysis. This format defines this "Shakespeare in Production" series, which, like Manchester University Press's "Shakespeare in Performance" series, provides a record of the stable and changing relationship between text and performance. Hapgood contains the bulky stage history of Hamlet through a prudent use of reviews, promptbooks, memoirs, and other performance materials. His introduction speaks of the complications of a five-text play (two quartos, the Folio, the abridgements that prevailed from the Restoration through the 19th century, the modern conflated text), then moves chronologically through an intelligent selection of Hamlet productions: from Burbage (1601-18), to Sarah Bernhardt (1899), to several of the 20th century's better known productions (Barrymore, Gielgud, Olivier, Burton, Jacobi, Branagh), to a few of the lesser-known (from Continental Europe, East and West), to several that qualify as "director's theater" (Zadek, Bergman, Brook). Hapgood's careful scholarship and engaging writing throughout result in a volume that all libraries will want to own. J. Schlueter; Lafayette College

Perhaps the best known of Shakespeare's tragedies, this story of destiny and revenge pits a young prince against the murderous uncle who has stolen the throne and queen. Students often struggle when reading Shakespeare, and listening can serve as a bridge, facilitating understanding. This excellent full-cast production includes musical interludes and an insert with scene-by-scene summaries, making it not only a strong listening experience, but also the perfect adjunct to literary appreciation. Fans of the long-running British science-fiction series Doctor Who, and David Tennant's portrayal of the Doctor, will be mesmerized by the 2010 BBC television production featuring Tennant as Hamlet, with Patrick Stewart as the nefarious uncle, Claudius. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Wouldn't you know that Branagh would finally tackle Hamlet on screen. This official tie-in includes a production diary, stills from the film, and the screenplay. But where's Emma? (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Featuring abridged versions of the Shakespearian texts, with abundant illustrations and frequent, but unobtrusive, descriptions of action and setting, these volumes present six of Shakespeare's best-known tales in an accessible format, while maintaining much of their original impact and style. Each book includes a brief introduction to Shakespeare's life and theater. Based on the cable television series. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.The timeless tale of the young and disaffected Danish prince who is pushed to avenge his father's untimely murder at the hands of his brother unfolds with straightforward briskness. Shakespeare's text has been liberally but judiciously cut, staying true to the thematic meaning while dispensing with longer speeches (with the notable exception of the renowned "to be or not to be" soliloquy) and intermediary dialogues. Some of the more obscure language has been modernized, with a glossary of terms provided at the end; despite these efforts, readers wholly unfamiliar with the story might struggle with independent interpretation. Where this adaptation mainly excels is in its art, especially as the play builds to its tensely wrought final act. Illustrator Kumar (World War Two, 2015, etc.) pairs richly detailed interiors and exteriors with painstakingly rendered characters, each easily distinguished from their fellows through costume, hairstyle, and bearing. Human figures are generally depicted in bust or three-quarter shots, making the larger panels of full figures all the more striking. Heavily scored lines of ink form shadows, lending the otherwise bright pages a gritty air. All characters are white.A solid introduction for budding lovers of the Bard. (biography of Shakespeare, dramatis personae, glossary) (Graphic novel. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.