A review by emmaf09
Shakespeare in a Divided America: What His Plays Tell Us about Our Past and Future by James Shapiro

5.0

A gripping, intriguing look into how the works of Shakespeare have shaped and reflected the development of the United States. The first few chapters build on primary documents provided in Shapiro’s Shakespeare in America anthology. By the time he gets to the Astor Place Riot, the narrative moves swiftly and cinematically, fully engrossing. The chapter about the development of the musical Kiss Me Kate and it’s reflections of post WWII marital relations was my favorite. The whole book moves at a quick pace, with interesting analysis and quality research. If you’re going to read one Shakespeare book this year, this is the one to choose.