The Secret Life of William Shakespeare
A couple of months ago I came across a delicious book in our Martinborough Library, so I thought I would share it with you. ‘The Secret Life of William Shakespeare’ is the eighth book written (in 2012) by historical novelist Jude Morgan.
From the front cover with its elegant calligraphy title to ‘praise reviews’ on the back; for a Shakespeare fan, this was irrestistible. I was not disappointed.
Many things appealed. The subtitle – ‘An extraordinary man. His private world.’ Fourteen well-structured chapters taking the reader with Will as a young lad at home to his love affair with Anne and on to his success as an actor and playwright. Morgan’s frequent use of the Elizabethan vernacular which had me hunting through the dictionary often!
The story transports the reader to the 1500s and to colourful life in Stratford and London. It’s a delight to be swept up in the events of the time and develop an understanding of Shakespeare’s very personal character. Morgan puts his own interpretation on events and personalities in his story, but for me, at least, it became a fascinating insight into what possibly made Shakespeare ‘tick’. I found it a great honour to make a new friend.
The essence of good literature is to ‘take the reader to a magic place’. With this book, it is worth the journey.
Maree Roy.
