Abriged by Cass Foster
Price: Entire Series: $45.89; individually: $8.99.
Published by: Five Star Publications
I'm a big Shakespeare fan. Since I was young, probably middle school aged, I have loved Shakespeare. Whenever there is a chance to attend a production, I'm the first one signing up. In fact, the boys and I saw Macbeth on stage last spring and will be going to King Lear in a week. Shakespeare was one of the key reasons I decided to major in English in college.
That being said, I was skeptical of an abriged version. Shakespeare in sixty minutes sounds like a good idea, especially when you want to expose young minds to the bard without weighing them down with language and lengthy disposition, but, could it be done right?
Cass Foster, Professor Emeritus of Theatre, doesn't retell Shakespeare, but, rather, keeps the language and tone of the play intact while condensing some of the lengthier scenes and removing those that are extraneous to the key story. I know Hamlet well. Reading this copy, not a single key event was missed keeping the story and its intriguing tale intact. While some of the excitment of the fighting has been removed, students might find the original rhetoric laborious. Keeping the outcome unchanged makes sure none of the final suspense is lost.
I did appreciate that Foster uses footnotes at the end of each page to help explain trickier wordings that may be lost on the young reader. One example - Hamelt states, "O, old friend, thy face is valenced since I last saw thee." Valenced is notated and at the bottom of the page is defined as "bearded."
Additionally, some cues are added to help the instructor use this text as a script for the play. It may not be suitable for school-wide production; however, the comments are helpful if the play were to be enacted in a class or co-op to help the students identify with the characters and really get into the spirit of Shakespeare.
There are five additional plays in the Sixty-minute Shakespeare series: Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. Personally, I would love to own and read them all. I’m already thinking of how I want to incorporate more Shakespeare into our high school literature.
Whether you love Shakespeare and want to introduce it to your children, or you find Shakespeare difficult and would like a simplified option for enjoying these acclaimed stories, I have to say I would readily recommend these books.
http://www.twitter.com/Fivestarpub
Giveaway
To enter, simply go to GetShakespeare.com and tell me which title you would like to win.
For additional entries:
1. Friend me on GFC
2. Like Five Star Publications on Facebook
3. Like Heartfelt Homeschooling on Facebook
4. Tweet about this giveaway and tell me you did
This giveaway ends Friday, September 16th at Midnight. The winner will be selected using Random.org.
*** This is a MamaBuzz Media review. The product was provided by: five star publications for my honest review. All views and opinions are my own.
Giveaway
Now for the giveaway - you can win one copy of Sixty Minute Shakespeare for your very own. If I weren't doing the giveaway, I would enter to get another title.
For additional entries:
1. Friend me on GFC
2. Like Five Star Publications on Facebook
3. Like Heartfelt Homeschooling on Facebook
4. Tweet about this giveaway and tell me you did
This giveaway ends Friday, September 16th at Midnight. The winner will be selected using Random.org.
*** This is a MamaBuzz Media review. The product was provided by: five star publications for my honest review. All views and opinions are my own.
I think I would like to try Much Ado About Nothing. As I recall, the various storylines in that particular play got a little confusing (I read 23 Shakespearean plays in a 16 week semester, though, so maybe it was tied into reading that one so quickly). Still, that sounds like a fun one to try! :)
ReplyDeleteI am your Google Friend. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked Five Star Publications on FB.
ReplyDeleteI like Heartfelt Homeschooling on FB.
ReplyDeleteI would like to win Twelfth Knight! My daughter loves this play!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky Jane
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GFC Follower!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky Jane
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FB Five Star Publications
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Thanks, Becky Jane
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FB Heartfelt Homeschooling!
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Thanks, Becky Jane
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Tweeted your giveaway
ReplyDelete@BeckyJane_
http://twitter.com/#!/BeckyJane_/status/111567618183413760
Thanks, Becky Jane
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The Scottish play is one of my favourites, so I'd choose Macbeth :)
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in A Midsummer Night's Dream. I've seen this once in a movie (?) and it caught my attention.
ReplyDeleteI liked Five Star Publications on FB
ReplyDeleteI like Heartfelt Homeschooling on FB (nlhome)
ReplyDeleteIf we are chosen, we would like the A MidSummer Night's Dream. Thank you! jaslinn77@yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI am now following on GFC. Thank you!! jaslinn77@yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLiked Five Star Publications on FB.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Jaslinn77@yahoo(dot)com
I like Heartfelt Homeschooling on FB! Thank you!
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I shared on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/jaslinn77/status/111732011835736064
ReplyDeleteThank you! @jaslinn77
jaslinn77@yahoo(dot)com
Romeo and Juliet - oh how fun! ;)
ReplyDeleteTough decision! I think if I could choose one, I would go with A Midsummer Night's Dream. I think.
ReplyDeleteBecause that's the one of these I'm least familiar with, and would most want a bit of extra help in doing.
I follow via Google Friend Connect.
ReplyDeleteI like Five Star Publications on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI like Heartfelt Homeschooling on Facebook. I thought I already did...
ReplyDeleteI'd love A Mid-Summer's Night Dream...it's one of my faves~so hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI'd like Much Ado About Nothing or Midsummer Night's Dream. I need to add more Shakespeare to my high schoolers repertoire.
ReplyDeleteI already like Heartfelt Homeschooling on FB.
ReplyDeleteI like Five Start Publications on FB.
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway! I think I would choose either Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteI like you on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI'm a friend on GFC.
ReplyDeleteI like Five Star on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted your giveaway.
ReplyDelete@MarcyKY
Much ado about nothing would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteI think A Mid Summers Night Dream. I really don't know any of these except for Romeo and Juliet. lol
ReplyDeleteAlready a follower on GFC.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd have to pick Hamlet, but they all sound tempting.
ReplyDeleteI now follow you with GFC.
ReplyDeleteI liked Five Star Productions on FB.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Heartfelt Homeschooling on FB. :)
ReplyDeleteMuch Ado About Nothing would be my first choice~ Because I'm much less about tragedy~ ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm following you~ (#299~ Woohoo! You're almost to 300!) Nothing like a last minute entry~ ;)
ReplyDeleteMidsummer Night's Dream:)
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the crew;)
Lizzie