Riffing on the Bard
Posted on May 18, 2018
by Jan C
In 2015, to recognize the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, Hogarth introduced a series of books by contemporary authors reimagining Shakespeare’s plays, the Hogarth Shakespeare series. That’s tricky business. After all, we’re talking about The Bard. The man has his own section in the Humanities Department at Main Library under 822.33, which is where you’ll find shelves upon shelves of Shakespeare’s plays, books about his life and times as well as criticisms and appreciations of his breathtaking achievements. Visit Humanities and see the amazing, handmade replica of the Globe Theater, made in 1941 by Ernest Conklin and donated by the Toledo Shakespeare Club.
So, who would deign riff on one of his plays? So far, the list is quite impressive.
Shakespeare Adaptations by Contemporary Authors
“A Gap of Time” by Jeanette WintersonA modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” moves from London after the 2008 financial crisis to the storm-ravaged American city of New Bohemia, in a story of the destructive effect of jealousy and the redemptive power of love. |
|
“Shylock is My Name” by Howard JacobsonIn this provocative and profound interpretation of “The Merchant of Venice,” Shylock is juxtaposed against his present-day counterpart in the character of art dealer and conflicted father Simon Strulovitch. With characteristic irony, Jacobson presents Shylock as a man of incisive wit and passion, concerned still with questions of identity, parenthood, anti-Semitism and revenge. |
|
“Vinegar Girl” by Anne TylerThis retelling of “The Taming of the Shrew” follows the experiences of a preschool teacher who alienates others by speaking her mind and who is expected by her eccentric father to marry his assistant to prevent the young man’s deportation. |
|
“Hag-Seed” by Margaret AtwoodA psychologically charged story inspired by Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” follows the retribution plot of a deposed artistic director who teaches prison inmates while consulting with a fantasy child who has taken the place of the daughter he lost years earlier. |
|
“New Boy” by Tracy ChevalierAn imaginative retelling of Shakespeare’s “Othello,” that places events in 1970’s America and follows the experiences of two diverse children who navigate themes of love, betrayal, racism and revenge on the playground of their all-white school. Also available in Large Print and eBook. |
|
“Dunbar” by Edward St. AubynA modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” follows the experiences of a man who in the wake of an orchestrated public mental breakdown is sent to a Switzerland sanatorium by the daughters who would seize his fortune, a plot he resolves to foil with the assistance of a colorful sidekick. Also available in eAudio. |
|
“Macbeth” by Jo NesboReimagines Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” set in a rundown industrial town, where Hecate, a drug dealer, tells Inspector Macbeth he will replace the chief of police Duncan and his lover Lady plots to make it happen. |
In 2021, Hogarth will release Gillian Flynn’s retelling of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” You heard right, THAT Gillian Flynn, the author of “Gone Girl,” “Dark Places” and “Sharp Objects” and THAT Hamlet. Remains to be seen. Pun intended.
Toledo Lucas County Public Library Resources
Did you know?
As a Toledo Lucas County Public Library cardholder you have access to a ton of great resources: books, magazines, DVDs, music, eMedia, databases, GoPro cameras and so much more. Did you know we participate in a library consortium that allows our customers to request items available throughout the state via Search Ohio and OhioLINK? To request these items, they must be available in the catalog. Ask a librarian for more information.
Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!
Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!
Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.