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This rich and colorful historical novel is based on the life of William Shakespeare and his younger brother Edmund. It is filled with exciting episodes out of the public events of the Elizabethan period as well as out of the reconstructed lives of its many characters, such as Ben Jonson, Essex, and Queen Elizabeth herself. The common people are also brought to life, and the streets of London and Stratford-on-Avon become, for the reader, as real as his own neighborhood. The world of the Elizabethan court, of the Shakespearean theater, of grand passion and royal debauchery - all are evoked with great clarity and delight in this novel.
The narrative centers on the complex relationship between the world-renowned playwright William Shakespeare and his younger, less-celebrated brother Edmund as they navigate the volatile social and political landscape of Elizabethan England. William struggles to balance his artistic ambitions within the competitive theater scene against the backdrop of a shifting royal court, while Edmund seeks his own identity in the shadow of his brother's rising fame. The story follows their individual paths through the streets of London and Stratford-on-Avon, highlighting the friction between personal desire and public expectation. Written with a focus on historical immersion, the narrative captures the daily realities of the era, from the grit of common life to the opulence of the monarchy.
This work presents a detailed look at the domestic and professional life of the Shakespeare family through a lens of historical reconstruction. The narrative relies on the established historical record to ground its fictionalized interactions, providing a sense of period authenticity for the reader. By focusing on the lesser-known figure of Edmund, the text offers a distinct perspective on the pressures faced by those orbiting a literary genius. The prose maintains a consistent focus on the atmosphere of the sixteenth century, ensuring that the setting functions as a primary element of the storytelling experience.
Page Count:
669
Publication Date:
1978-01-01
Publisher:
FONTANA
ISBN-10:
0006150837
ISBN-13:
9780006150831
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