Synopsis (from the book cover):
Bestselling writer Bill Bryson’s brilliantly readable biography of our greatest dramatist and poet William Shakespeare is updated to mark the 400th anniversary of his death.
Examining centuries of myths, half-truths and downright lies, Bill Bryson tries to make sense of the man behind the masterpieces. In a journey through the streets of Shakespeare’s time, he brings to life the hubbub of Elizabethan England and a host of characters along the way. Bryson celebrates the glory of Shakespear’s language – his ceasless inventiveness gave us hundreds of now indispensible phrases, images and words – and delights in details of his fall-outs and folios, poetry and plays.
Stitching together information from a vast array of sources, he has created a unique celebration of one of the most significant, and least understood, figures in history – not to mention a classic piece of Bryson.
Thoughts:
The book exposes how little is known about Shakespeare, even the pictorial images we know him by might not represent his true likeness. These images are based on three original artworks, two af which were painted years after his death. Bill Bryson writes at length about society in the Elizabethan era bringing it to life but was unable to find many facts about Shakespeare himself.
This book served as a reminder that we should do our own reasearch rather than accept what is presented to us as fact.
Tags: #6, 2024 Books, Bill Bryson, Book, Book Thoughts, Shakespeare, William Shakespeare
It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
Rumi
Tags: Attingham Park, Cherie's Place Thought, National Trust
… after my haircut
My haircut was two weeks late after I had to cancel my original hair appointment due to mum being admitted to A&E after a fall. You can see from the photos that there is a reason why my hair needs cutting every four weeks!
Later in the day we enjoyed baked fish with lemon cream sauce, it was delicious.
Tags: Baked fish with lemon cream sauce, Cherie's Place, Food, Friday Fish, Hairdressers
I have now completed my ‘Race the Distance ‘ 50 mile virtual walk to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. Myvirtual walk took me along the beaches of Normandy where the D-Day landings took place.
When my medal arrives I hope to do something special on June 6th to complete my commemoration of the day.
Tags: 80th Anniversary, D Day, D Day Landings, France, June, Normandy Campaign, Race the Distance
Once again, I needed to move my Attingham Park Volunteering afternoon from my usual Tuesday afternoon slot, mum had a dental appointment.
Wednesday afternoon was rainy and consequently not many people ventured out. Of those that did many were first time visitors and some had chosen to come after deciding not to join their planned walk with a walking group due to the weather.
The rain didn’t stop play for me. After my volunteering shift, I ventured out for a walk taking tree lined routes rather than venturing further afield in the parkland. I was surprised to find the walled garden was difficult to navigate due to pools of water blocking some of the pathways.
The walk was refreshing despite or maybe because of the rain and due to my trusty umbrella, I completed my 3 mile walk without getting wet!
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2024, Attingham Park, National Trust, Race for Reading, Race for Reading2024, School Readers, Volunteering
We arrived just in time for lunch, my coronation chicken sandwich was delicious. After lunch we had an enjoyable afternoon with a visit to the house followed by a walk round the gardens and woodland.
It was good to visit after over 30 years of driving past the hall when visiting relatives in the Manchester area.
Tags: Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, Coronation Chicken Sandwich
