Shakespeare: For All Time. . - Reviews - book review

Contemporary Review, April, 2003

Shakespeare: For All Time. Stanley Wells. Macmillan. [pounds sterling]30.00. 442 pages. ISBN 0-333-90499-0. Prof. Wells is widely recognised as this country's leading expert on Shakespeare as well as the general editor of the Oxford Shakespeare series and of the Oxford Complete Works of Shakespeare.

In this book he combines biography with a study of Shakespeare's legacy and place in the civilised world. The first two chapters are devoted to Shakespeare's life. The third, the core of the book, looks at Shakespeare's 'methods of work, his evolving techniques as a poetic dramatist', his use of history and language and his work with actors. The remaining six look at the 'growth of the legend' between 1623 and 1744 and then at Shakespeare in the years between 1744 and our own time: at how his plays have survived, been adapted and inspired. What we have here is the end result of 'a half-century's engagement with Shakespeare'. This then is a unique book, written by a man who has devoted his life to Shakespeare and who has combined academic research with theatrical productions. He writes with humour, detachment and a breadth of learning that makes this a thoroughly enjoyable book for anyone interested in English literature, the theatre and the genius that was Shakespeare. As Prof. Wells concludes, Shakespeare 'is in the water supply and is likely to remain there until the pipes run dry'. (P.P.F.)