Reviews

Shakespeare in a Divided America: What His Plays Tell Us about Our Past and Future by James Shapiro

da_bos's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting collection of vignettes. Engagingly written. Not exactly a sweeping history of Shakespeare in America, though it doesn’t claim to be once you move past the title. Definitely got a little less focused on its original purpose the closer Shapiro gets to the present; the final chapter is definitely more political reportage than cultural criticism. Overall: enjoyable but not great.

kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition

5.0

Fascinating. Thought-provoking. Helps to have good knowledge of Shakespeare's works.

checkplease's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Stars

crtney's review against another edition

4.0

I found the accounts of how and where Shakespeare has been performed in the US as interesting (or maybe more) as the author’s examination of what these performances or the texts meant in the various periods of US history—which mostly seemed to highlight how deeply messed up we have always been and yet how we still continue on as a country and Shakespeare’s words still resonate with us. 

bethwolf03's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

kat12009's review against another edition

5.0

Really loved this book. If you have even a slight interest in Shakespeare and American history, you will find this fascinating. My favorite chapter was the discussion of Lincoln and his love for Macbeth.

lernstreads's review against another edition

5.0

I'm pretty sure EVERY time I told someone about this book, I used the word FASCINATING. It really was. You should probably read it.

bonannabook's review against another edition

5.0

I got this audiobook after seeing it in several best of 2020 list. I didn’t really know what to expect - but it was so timely, fascinating and thought-provoking (and rather disturbing in a number of places). I found myself wanting to examine Shakespeare’s plays more closely. I highly recommend to those interested in history, politics, English literature and examining/grappling with division throughout American history.

balletbookworm's review against another edition

4.0

yay, for clinic reading between subjects because that is almost the only thing keeping me reading right now (thanks brain)

This was a really good set of essays/analysis about how Shakespeare was viewed, interpreted, and presented at other "divided" times in America (like the portrayal of Othello and interracial marriages/relationships in pre-Civil War America, or Taming of the Shrew in post-WWII America and it's conversion into the musical Kiss Me, Kate). Greenblatt is nicely readable.

swarnak84's review against another edition

5.0

An engaging read, encapsulating both themes from Shakespeare and important changes in American society. The relationships between Shakespeare and key Americans in history are examined and are a fascinating read.