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Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year
- Narrated by: Allie Esiri, Ben Allen, Helen McCrory, Jade Anouka, Jot Davies, Paapa Essiedu, Simon Russell Beale
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
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Excellent - Listened Several Times
- By Highlight on 07-04-22
Summary
From Allie Esiri, editor of the best-selling A Poem for Every Day of the Year and A Poem for Every Night of the Year, comes this beautiful audio anthology of William Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year is a collection of 365 plays, sonnets and poems, and Esiri’s entertaining and insightful thoughts on each entry will fill your year with wonder, laughter, wisdom and wit.
Each track of this unique collection contains an extract, which might be a famous poem, quote or scene, matched to the date, performed by leading actors such as Sir Simon Russell Beale, Helen McCrory, and Damian Lewis. Allie Esiri's introductions give her listeners a new window into the work, time and life of the greatest writer in the English language.
Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year is perfect for listening or sharing and brings you Shakespeare’s best-known and best-loved classics alongside lesser known extracts read by a range of award-winning Shakespearean actors.
The complete cast of performers are: Sir Simon Russell Beale, Helen McCrory, Damian Lewis, Hattie Morahan, Paapa Essiedu, Jade Anouka, Ben Allen and Jot Davies.
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What listeners say about Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Christine
- 31-08-20
Problematic readings
I was surprised at the reading of these pieces. The quality of actors was first rate, however I found many of the male voices stilted, and some read melodically without meaning. I gave up after a while as Shakespeare is hard to understand without nuanced delivery. It’s a shame as the commentary by Allie Esiri is first rate.
3 people found this helpful
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- Katie Barker
- 03-08-20
Why is there no information about the individual extracts?!
It is incredibly frustrating that again there is no information on the individual extract and their location in the book, just chapter numbers. I don’t understand why something so simple hasn’t been addressed. I’ve noticed this in several audible items, if you can add the text to display the chapters why can’t it have the information about the book instead?!
3 people found this helpful
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- Tony
- 20-01-21
An informed and rounded Shakespeare experience
I disagree with the previous poor reviews. Firstly, each extract has a detailed Act and Scene number (the sonnets have line numbers). Secondly, the verse is narrated excellently by a wide range of actors, each giving an expression and feeling of their own. More or less, a sample of every play is here so listeners have the option of exploring the plays fully elsewhere if they so wish. I also liked each day's introduction by Allie Esiri, which uncovered side stories and customs of the time that I didn't know. All in all, another great Audible experience and a welcome addition to my library.
1 person found this helpful
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- T
- 07-07-21
Poor narrations detract from a good idea
I've tried hard to enjoy listening to this book during lockdown. Most of the pieces are well-chosen and varied. The introductions are mostly okay, but often fail to give the context within the play. Getting an extract purely because it mentions the month in question is pretty unsatisfying! Many of these issues were helped by additionally buying the hardback paper edition, but that's surely a cop-out for an audiobook if that's required? However, far and away the biggest problem is some truly awful reading by the cast of actors. I suspect this is a production issue rather than an inability of the actors to read Shakespeare with meaning. It sounds as if they have each been given a long list of short lines to read, without the other cast members around and without the time for them to inject the energy and meaning into the pieces. So, a Curate's egg - "good in parts."