There's no denying it. R&BLers have eclectic tastes. They also have a strong sense of commitment to building community. Thus, while this week's announcement of our next selection for the e-Book Club may not be what they are aticipating, I think they will understand and appreciate why we will not be reading Ken Follett's historical novel, Pillars of the Earth for next week. But I expect they'll want to know why.
It's because I'm in negotiation with a volunteer who may wish to present the discussion installments of that novel beginning December 1st. It's a long work and will probably take up two, if not three diaries. So, in order to give the volunteer time to consider what's involved and to facilitate "learning the ropes," I decided more time was needed for preparation before we tackle the subject of raising one of the world's first Gothic cathedrals in England.
However, maybe by way of putting us in the mood, we will be reading. . .
a work of literary imagination in every sense of that phrase, Stewart Buettner's The Shakespeare Manuscript: The Original Hamlet Discovered. Reviews are admittedly mixed, and I expect reactions among R&BLers will be likewise. Knowing little about the book, I'm prepared to take the plunge and reserve judgment until I've read the whole thing. One tantalizing bit, perhaps? -- expect something along the lines of a play within a play.
From the blurb. . .
Not one of Shakespeare’s plays exists in manuscript form until a failing bookseller discovers a long-lost, early version of HAMLET. In an attempt to trace the puzzling manuscript's origins, its new owner finds he can’t trust the identity of play’s author and soon has doubts about his own. But by then, the race to stage the new HAMLET is on, taking a toll on everyone involved. In the end, the new play leaves audience and actors alike wondering about the unexpected and moving consequences of the play they’ve just experienced.
Smashwords offers a longer review, part of which is here. This site also includes a table of e-book resources for downloading the book in various formats (including .pdf).
The Shakespeare Manuscript [is] based on the "Original Hamlet," a play that actually existed and was being performed in London around the time Shakespeare arrived in the city. It vanished soon after and has not been seen in over 400 years.
The lost Hamlet suddenly reappears when the novel's main character--the quiet, sedate April Oliphant--pulls a manuscript out of a crate of old letters, recently arrived at her family-run book store. With the realization that it may have been written by Shakespeare, none of whose plays survives in manuscript form. April sets out on a course that sees her torn free from her moorings in a way she had only dreamed of before.
FREE for Kindle owners.
For owners of Sony devices: ebookstore $2.99
If you Lendle: I am a listed owner, but won't be able to lend (as I'll be reading it). Check if other copies are available free for a period of two weeks from the time you accept the loan. Lendle loans work across many platforms, not just Kindles.
Look forward to seeing everyone at the next e-Readers & Book Lovers Club discussion THU Nov. 17th at 2:00 PM (ET).
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