Musings/Träumereien/Devaneios

To be published on September 2015.

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader's copy of this book directly from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

(The book is due to be published on September 2015; review written 31/07/2015)

I don’t usually compare books, but in this case I’m going to make an exception. I’ve read this volume back-to-back with Erne’s book, and what a difference it was. This is by no means derogatory to Edmondson’s book. They’re just two simply different takes, aimed at different audiences. I loved them both for different reasons. This one is a very short volume, but it’s my kind of book about Shakespeare: It maps Edmondson’s personal history with Shakespeare. It’s not a “technical” book about Shakespeare, like Erne’s. It’s much more fluid and down-to-earth.

“If we shadows have offended,

Think but this and all is mended:

That you have but slumbered here

While these visions did appear.

And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,

Gentles, do not reprehend.

If you pardon, we will mend.

And, as I am an honest Puck,

If we have unearnèd luck

Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,

We will make amends ere long.

Else the Puck a liar call.

So good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends,

And Robin shall restore amends.”

in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Act Five: Scene One, Lines 440-455

The rest of this review can be read elsewhere.