Tales From Shakespeare / Mary Lamb.

Introduction;
Further Reading;
Note on the text;
Preface;
The tempest;
A midsummer night's dream;
The winter's tale;
Much ado abut nothing;
As you like it;
The two gentlemen of Verona;
The merchant of Venice;
Cymbeline;
King lear;
Macbeth;
All's well that ends well;
The taming of the shrew;
The comedy of errors;
Measure for measure;
Twelfth Night; or, what you will;
Timon of Athens;
Romeo and Juliet;
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark;
Othello;
Pericles, Prince of Tyre.

As children Charles and Mary Lamb took great delight in exploring their benefactor's extensive library; as adults they began writing books for children that soon appealed to all generations. In Tales from Shakespeare they wished to bring the plays to life in a form which would encourage young readers to enjoy Shakespeare. This collection of twenty stories begins with 'The Tempest' , Which explores themes magic, power and reconciliation, and ends with 'Pericles' , 'Prince of Tyre' , an exotic play of love, loss and family ties. Between these two tales are other romances and comedies written by Mary, and six tragedies written by charles. Each tale unfolds chronologically and retains much of Shakespeare's lyricism, phrasing and Rythm. The Lamb's book is a captivating work of romantic storytelling as well as an original literary homage to the bard.
In her introduction Marina Warner discusses the difficult lives of Charles and Mary Lamb, their aims and passion for their work and their relationships with contemporary writers. This edition also includes suggested further reading.