Much ado about Shakespeare

Much Ado about Shakespeare

Donovan Bixley

Published by Upstart Press on 10 March 2016

Paperback, RRP $34.99

400 years after the death of William Shakespeare, award-winning writer and illustrator, Donovan Bixley brings The Bard to life in this stunning literary picture book

Shakespeare’s life, told in his own words, from birth to death. Using quotes from William Shakespeare’s plays, Donovan Bixley expands on each to draw back a curtain on Shakespeare’s life and the times he lived in.

Through text and his distinctive, magnificent illustrations, Donovan Bixley has created a work of grace and humour. From what it is like to be a child in Elizabethan England, to the rank smells of the sixteenth century; from the volatile lives of the acting troupes to Shakespeare’s personal tragedies and his incredible successes, Much Ado about Shakespeare brings you the highs and lows, the tongue-in-cheek, the truth and imagination.

Within these pages, you’ll find a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s stages, a play on words, which sheds light on the colourful and exuberant world of Shakespeare’s life and times. You won’t find the sainted genius – solemn with quill and ink-stained hand. High of brow he may have been, but never high-brow. Never the snooty artist, locked away from the world, Shakespeare was in the thick of it.

2016 marks 400 years since the death of Shakespeare. Much Ado about Shakespeare is for fans of William Shakespeare of all ages.

About the author and illustrator:

Donovan Bixley is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed picture–book creators with numerous awards and accolades to his name, being both an award–winning illustrator and an award–winning author. His work is nothing if not varied, spanning high–brow to low–brow and every brow in between, from his sublime illustrated biography Faithfully Mozart, to the ridiculous hi–jinks of feline aviators in Flying Furballs.

FOOTNOTE:

This is a totally delightful, hugely entertaining and most appealing title about which we are going to hear a lot more. Don't miss it - a brilliant piece of publishing. The publisher needs to be on standby for overseas sales, local reprints, and awards too in due course !  

My warm congratulations to both the artist-author and the publisher on an enchanting book.