Monday, September 15, 2014

William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return

Title:  William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return (William Shakespeare's Star Wars Trilogy)
Author:  Ian Doescher
Publication Information:  Quirk Books. 2014. 168 pages.
ISBN:  159474713X / 978-1594747137

Book Source:  I read this book based on how much I enjoyed William Shakespeare's Star Wars and William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back, the first two books in this series.

Favorite Quote:



"Shall my relations govern all my days,
Or may I yet escape mine origins? 
Shall all the father's sins be visited
Upon the child, or shall I triumph yet?
Be with me, All ye Jedi past and gone."

This book is the third in the series to rewrite the story of the Star Wars original trilogy in Shakespearean English. The first, William Shakespeare's Star Wars, was a delightful book. The second, William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back, was almost as good. This one meets the same expectations.

If Star Wars is not for you or you are not familiar with it, then this is not the book for you. If, however, you are a Star Wars fan, then this is a fun addition to the collection. The book stays true to the story, which I really appreciate as a Star Wars fan.

This book, like the other two, is one I can happily share with my children - even the somewhat grown up ones. Having all seen the movies several times and studied Shakespeare, we each find things to enjoy about the book and to have a lively discussion. In fact, Quirk Books provides a study guide to accompany the book which explains iambic pentameter and the use of Shakespeare's plays in creating this story.

The end of the book has a note by the author on some of his challenges in converting the story and dialogue into Shakespearean English. For example, how should the Ewoks speak? The author also presents the creative solutions he came up. Having learned from the first two books, I read the note first. It helped me to appreciate the book even more so. I would recommend reading that first even though it is at the end.

Finally, this book being the third in a series does not have the novelty value that the first one did. It did not surprise me in the way the first one did, but it is still a fun book to read and to share with kids. I now wonder if Ian Doescher will tackle the other trilogy.

"Luke, thou shalt find that many of your truths
Depend entirely on your point of view.
It well may be that thou dost like it not,
But does not follow that it is not so."


Please share your thoughts and leave a comment. I would love to "talk" to you.

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