Books › Literature & Fiction › Dramas & Plays

Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature

Name: Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature
Price: 19.38 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (188 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: Dramas & Plays - Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature

188

$19.38

Buying Options

Description

Book Synopsis: An “extraordinarily brilliant” and “pleasurably naughty” (André Aciman) investigation into the Shakespeare authorship question, exploring how doubting that William Shakespeare wrote his plays became an act of blasphemy…and who the Bard might really be.

The theory that Shakespeare may not have written the works that bear his name is the most horrible, unspeakable subject in the history of English literature. Scholars admit that the Bard’s biography is a “black hole,” yet to publicly question the identity of the god of English literature is unacceptable, even (some say) “immoral.” In Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies, journalist and literary critic Elizabeth Winkler sets out to probe the origins of this literary taboo. Whisking you from London to Stratford-Upon-Avon to Washington, DC, she pulls back the curtain to show how the forces of nationalism and empire, religion and mythmaking, gender and class have shaped our admiration for Shakespeare across the centuries.

As she considers the writers and thinkers–from Walt Whitman to Sigmund Freud to Supreme Court justices–who have grappled with the riddle of the plays’ origins, she explores who may perhaps have been hiding behind his name. A forgotten woman? A disgraced aristocrat? A government spy? Hovering over the mystery are Shakespeare’s plays themselves, with their love for mistaken identities, disguises, and things never quite being what they seem. As she interviews scholars and skeptics, Winkler’s interest turns to the larger problem of historical truth–and of how human imperfections (bias, blindness, subjectivity) shape our construction of the past. History is a story, and the story we find may depend on the story we’re looking for.

“Lively” (The Washington Post), “fascinating” (Amanda Foreman), and “intrepid” (Stacy Schiff), Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies will forever change how you think of Shakespeare…and of how we as a society decide what’s up for debate and what’s just nonsense, just heresy.

Details

Are you ready to challenge the conventional wisdom? Delve into the scandalous world of Shakespeare authorship with "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature." This extraordinary investigation by Elizabeth Winkler unveils the hidden secrets and controversies surrounding one of history's most celebrated figures.

Why settle for the same old narrative? Dare to question the unbreakable bond between William Shakespeare and his timeless plays. In "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies," Winkler brings together years of research and speculation to present a compelling case that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew.

Uncover the shocking truth about the Bard's identity. Winkler guides you through a captivating journey from London to Stratford-Upon-Avon to Washington, DC, revealing how power dynamics, gender roles, and societal expectations have shaped our perception of Shakespeare over centuries. Don't be satisfied with the status quo. Be the one who seeks knowledge, challenges the sacred, and explores the unknown.

What if Shakespeare really was a woman? Or perhaps an exiled noblewoman or a government spy? Leave no stone unturned as Winkler dissects the theories and introduces you to the minds that have grappled with this taboo issue. From renowned writers like Walt Whitman to influential thinkers like Sigmund Freud, these visionaries have dared to question the origins of the plays we hold dear.

The mystery envelops you. Just like the mistaken identities and hidden truths within Shakespeare's own works, Winkler's exploration of historical truth becomes a mesmerizing tale filled with intrigue and complexity. Prepare to challenge your assumptions and discover a new perspective on how our understanding of the past is molded by human imperfections.

Dare to provoke debate and embrace heresy. "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies" is an ambitious and thought-provoking journey that will forever alter your perception of both Shakespeare and our society's boundaries of discussion. Are you ready to embark on this transformative quest? Grab your copy now and redefine what's up for debate and what's just nonsense.

Click here to order your copy of "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies" and discover the secrets that could reshape the literary world.

See All Buying Options...

More Details...