Audible Book Review - William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily a New Hope and The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

I put out a call on Facebook looking for some new listens on Audible and a good friend directed me towards William Shakespeare's Star Wars. He prefaced his remarks with, "Hear me out" and while I was a little skeptical I had only to listen to the sample audio to find myself grinning like a madman. Here is the Audible page for Verily a New Hope and the Empire Striketh Back  Listen to them yourself. It's honest to goodness iambic pentameter and Shakespearean language fitted nicely with the Star Wars characters and world. The story is one that many are familiar with. If not, it may be helpful to watch movie prior to listening to the book simply so you can focus on the words and characters instead of trying to figure out why Chewebacca is called a rug and doesn't have many lines. The descriptions are good, they are just insufficient to introduce the characters to a new audience. With that said, I think someone could still enjoy the story regardless of their Star Wars experience. There was a cast of narrators including: Daniel and Jonathan Davis, Ian Doescher, January LaVoy and Marc Thompson and I enjoyed their performance quite a bit. As the production was licensed by George Lucas they used the original score for many scenes as well as a full range of sound effects. It sounded a lot like a classic radio play than an audio book and it was well done.

Plot: A long time ago, in a galaxy far far way the Galactic Empire is in the process of tracking down the Rebel Alliance which has recently stolen plans to their soon to be completed space station - the Death Star. With the power to destroy an entire planet the Death Star will ensure compliance and security for the Empire. There search takes to them to the planet Tatooine where a young farmer is dreaming of adventure. What happens, though, when the adventure is over and the consequences come looking for you.

My personal favorites: As a lover of Shakespeare I know that lots of people have adapted Shakespeare for different settings. My sister saw a version of Macbeth set in Japan. My cousin played in Much Ado about Nothing that was post WWII, and we won't even start on the Romeo and Juliet adaptations. Why can't Star Wars be adapted? Ian Doescher does a great job of giving us Star Wars as read by Elizabethans. The exceptional aspect of the production was that the story is written in context with the other stories of the original trilogy. For example, Obi-Wan Kenobi gives the audience an aside where he debates how much to tell Luke of his father. The tradition of soliloquies and asides gives us a deeper understanding of the characters, especially R2-D2 and Lando Calrissian . All in all it was a lot of fun.

Considerations: The only considerations I can mention are ones that people already think of when they hear the title of these books i.e. "What the Heck!" I did not find any offensive content or anything I would object to my children listening to.

Both stories were well done with afterwards explaining nuances drawing attention to some of the things the author did to adapt the story. I look forward to listening to this like an old radio play with my kids when they are old enough to appreciate it. I'm also looking out for The Jedi Doth Return due to come out next month. While I do have other books ahead of it in my cue I look forward to finishing out the trilogy. The length of both stories was the length of an average Shakespearean play, that is 3 and half hours.

Book review - Beauty by Robin McKinley

I can't remember why, but a few months ago my mother asked me if I had read Beauty by Robin McKinley. I had not. I know my sisters have and if I remember M said it was her favorite version of the Beauty and the Beast story. So when we finally made it to the library I check to see if they had it. Originally written in 1978, I agree with my sister that it is my favorite retelling of a classic fairy tale. It had all the right components and flowed well. It was a perfect story for a middle grade or young young adult reader. Even as an adult i enjoyed it very much. I think that this book will be a gift for Kanga when she is old enough.

Plot: As I mentioned this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and so most are already familiar with the plot. The particulars are quite interesting however. Beauty is actually our heroine's nickname and is rather an ironic one at that her two older sisters are both very beautiful while Beauty is quite plain.Their  mother died in childbirth. When their wealthy and doting father falls on bad times they relocate from the city to the country. They establish themselves well there and have been living there for two years when their father hears of one of the ships that he thought was lost coming into port. He leaves to finalize his business. Upon returning he tells of being caught in a blizzard and finding himself at the doors of a castle where he was fed and rested but where no one was seen. Upon leaving he saw a rose garden and he thought to bring home a bud for his youngest child. Upon removing the bud, however, he was confronted by a horrible beast who told him that for taking what he prized most he would have to remain. When the beast learns that he has three daughters he says that any one of them can come in his stead. Beauty's father is given a month to spend with his family before returning either alone or with one of his daughters. Beauty volunteers to go as she is the most expendable and because she feels some small need to. Upon arriving she meets this new hideous beast and so begins her stay in his enchanted castle.

Personal Favorites: I particularly enjoyed how unfailingly polite the beast was. He was chivalrous, kind, gentle and considerate. He is continually telling Beauty not to fear him and except for the first few times she sees him, she doesn't fear him. As a freshman in college I had a media class where we talked about the "Good girl with Bad guy" image and how many it seems to support girls getting and staying in relationships with abusive men. This story had none of that. The beast was a most gracious and caring host and she did not have to "tame" him at all. I also want his library.

Considerations: There are a few things at the end that didn't seemed completely explained, but it's a fairy tale so I can accept that. Beyond that I had now qualms or concerns.

The book was quite wonderful and, along with The Ordinary Princess, and The Little Princess will be among the books I present and read to my daughter. The total length was 262 pages.