The Bard and the Book

Starred review from January 29, 2024
Via friendly and humorous text (“You have been misled to think that a dead poet with an earring from more than four hundred years ago has nothing to offer you”), Bausum (Ensnared in the Wolf’s Lair) breaks down the lucky confluence of events that led to the preservation of plays by William Shakespeare (1564–1616). Dividing the work into five acts, Bausum first details Shakespeare’s life (“William Shakespeare Becomes Brilliant, Then Dies”) and the history of Elizabethan theater (“The Fleeting Nature of Theater Prepares to Vanquish Macbeth”) before diving into the production of the First Folio, which those who had known Shakespeare created by drawing from their own recollections of his life and work. Further chapters chronicle the challenges of authenticating his writings, the printing and binding process, and the maintenance and current whereabouts of the original folio. Employing detailed scholarship, the author packs this slim volume with intriguing facts—such as how the rolls of paper on which Elizabethan actors wrote their lines were “the origin of what we call acting ROLES today”—emphasized through varying typefaces, strategic line breaks, and asides. Interspersed throughout are folk art–inspired illustrations by Sevilla (Little Red Hoodie) in vivid blues and oranges featuring figures in period dress. Bausum’s passion for the topic is infectious, making for a joyous and engaging read for Shakespearean enthusiasts and skeptics alike. Extensive notes conclude. Ages 10–up. Agent: Hannah Mann, Writers House.