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snugglekittyInterred with Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell is described as being "like the Da Vinci Code, only with Shakespeare instead of the Bible." I found this to be relatively true, especially in the way that parts of the Da Vinci Code are hard to follow. This book is a mystery concerning a lost play of Shakespeare as well as his identity*, both of which are being investigated in the present day by a Shakespearian afficianado who has retired from academia in order to direct plays at the new Globe theater.
I do have a degree in English as well as my very own Riverside Shakespeare, but no particular opinion about the authorship of Shakespeare. Admittedly, in college I was put off by my first encounter with an anti-Stratsfordian, who was a really rabid Baconian who came off as being rather elitist. Her stand was, "A member of the lower class simply couldn't have written these works! It's not possible!" but she didn't really explain herself. People who like Shakespeare, and especially those who like Shakespeare even more than me (are you out there?) will probably like this book a lot. I'm not sure it would be accessible to folks without much exposure to the Bard. Three and a half stars, and it is inspiring me to read the book Who Wrote Shakespeare? for a factual and not fictional treatment of this topic.
Liaden Universe Companion Volume 2 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Surely you've seen my posts on these authors before. Locus once wrote of this husband-and-wife team, "If SF were a meritocracy, Lee and Miller would live in a mile-high castle made of solid gold." Well said, Locus. For the Liaden fan, this collection is very pleasing. My favorite stories were "Sweet Waters," "Heirloom," and "Veil of the Dancer." The latter story I had read before in chapbook form, but the chapbook disappeared - I was so happy to get it back in a different form. Four stars. If you're new to the authors, though, it would probably make more sense to start with Local Custom or Conflict of Honors. Speaking of which, I'm deeply disappointed that Web of the Trident, sequel to The Tomorrow Log, still hasn't come out. In no way is it their fault that the publisher went out of business - in no wise! - but I was really looking forward to it. Sigh.
*I'm sorry if this feels like a spoiler to anyone, but I wish I had known it before I started the book. That is all.
I do have a degree in English as well as my very own Riverside Shakespeare, but no particular opinion about the authorship of Shakespeare. Admittedly, in college I was put off by my first encounter with an anti-Stratsfordian, who was a really rabid Baconian who came off as being rather elitist. Her stand was, "A member of the lower class simply couldn't have written these works! It's not possible!" but she didn't really explain herself. People who like Shakespeare, and especially those who like Shakespeare even more than me (are you out there?) will probably like this book a lot. I'm not sure it would be accessible to folks without much exposure to the Bard. Three and a half stars, and it is inspiring me to read the book Who Wrote Shakespeare? for a factual and not fictional treatment of this topic.
Liaden Universe Companion Volume 2 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Surely you've seen my posts on these authors before. Locus once wrote of this husband-and-wife team, "If SF were a meritocracy, Lee and Miller would live in a mile-high castle made of solid gold." Well said, Locus. For the Liaden fan, this collection is very pleasing. My favorite stories were "Sweet Waters," "Heirloom," and "Veil of the Dancer." The latter story I had read before in chapbook form, but the chapbook disappeared - I was so happy to get it back in a different form. Four stars. If you're new to the authors, though, it would probably make more sense to start with Local Custom or Conflict of Honors. Speaking of which, I'm deeply disappointed that Web of the Trident, sequel to The Tomorrow Log, still hasn't come out. In no way is it their fault that the publisher went out of business - in no wise! - but I was really looking forward to it. Sigh.
*I'm sorry if this feels like a spoiler to anyone, but I wish I had known it before I started the book. That is all.