SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS, RETOLD Classic Love Poems with a Modern Twist

Listeners first encountering Shakespeare's sonnets may have trouble with the language. Fortunately, James Anthony (who also introduces this audiobook) has put all of them into modern idiomatic English. After some explanatory notes by actor/novelist/poet Stephen Fry and an introduction by Anthony, the Royal Shakespeare Company's Paapa Essiedu narrates each original sonnet, followed by Fry's narration of Anthony's retelling. Essiedu leans toward understatement, letting listeners find their own meanings. Fry emphasizes the interpretations that Anthony has stressed in his versions. Purists will probably not like the modernization of these classics, but Anthony's versions will help many enter the world of our language's greatest poet. If only for that, he--and his excellent narrators--deserve our copious thanks. D.M.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2019]