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Synopsis
This reference covers the comedy's genesis, history, characters, plot, themes, and reception.
Megan Isaac - VOYA
Finding books about Shakespeare's plays is generally not difficult. Finding exciting books about these plays can be a lot more challenging. Simply put, Halio's introduction to one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies is serviceable and uninspired. The seven chapters cover typical territory: textual history, contexts and sources, dramatic structure, themes, critical approaches, stage performance, and film performance. Each chapter draws heavily from earlier scholars and is thoroughly footnoted to enable interested readers to pursue a particular subject in greater depth. Halio's exploration of the contexts and themes of the play is particularly thin and invites only the most traditional approaches to studying the play. More energy and space is devoted to reviewing how the play has been performed on stage and screen. The audience for such a book is difficult to envision. Halio is not writing for readers completely new to Shakespearean studies because he does not define terms, such as quarto or Stationers' Register, which will be off-putting for beginners. Neither does his text offer enough interpretation or explore quandaries in enough depth to appeal to readers already well versed in Shakespeare's plays. Readers looking for a quick fact might find Halio's book helpful, but students of the play, including teachers, looking to expand their understanding of the drama, the historical period that produced it, and modern interpretations of it will find Faith Nostbakken's volume Understanding A Midsummer Night's Dream, also from Greenwood, more helpful and inspiring. VOYA Codes: 3Q 1P S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; No YA will read unless forced to for assignments; Senior High,defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult-marketed book recommended for Young Adults). 2003, Greenwood, 184p.; Index. Photos. Biblio., PLB. Ages 15 to Adult.