Shakespeare is Hard, but so is Life
- Author Fintan O'Toole
- Narrator Fintan O'Toole
- Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing
- Run Time 5 hours and 45 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Literary studies: general.
Click to open directly in the xigxag app.
Titles Purchased
- 1-5
- 6-10
- 11-15
- 16-20
- Over 20
Price p/Title
- €9.95
- €8.95
- €7.95
- €6.95
- €5.95
Listen to a sample
What to expect
The works of Shakespeare have become staples of literature. They are everywhere, from our early schooling to the lecture rooms of academia, from classic theatre to modern adaptations on stage and screen. But how well do we really know his plays?
In this witty, iconoclastic book, the bestselling author Fintan O’Toole examines four of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and King Lear. He shows how their tragic heroes have been over-simplified and moulded to fit restrictive, conservative values, and restores the true heart and spirit of the classics.
'I've never read a book like this before: it's challenging, irreverent and funny.' Roddy Doyle
Critics Review
I’ve never read a book like this before: it’s challenging, irreverent and funny.
Convincing, incisive and stimulating.
A brilliant and extremely readable distillation of some of the current thinking about Shakespeare’s tragedies.
A lively and intelligent work of criticism…Shakespeare is hard, and O’Toole has valiantly refused to simplify him.
A useful corrective to the philistine notion that Shakespeare must be simplified and domesticated so that people can understand him.
You’ll look at Shakespeare with new eyes after reading this book.
User Reviews
About xigxag
Enjoy the best audiobooks on xigxag, an innovative, user-friendly audiobook platform that makes it easy to find, purchase, and enjoy your favorite books in audio format. xigxag’s flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less – affordable prices and the best audiobook deals with no subscription required. Give the perfect gift with our audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.
xigxag’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices ensures a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform – an exciting alternative to big tech. Enjoy audiobooks from the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service and a leader in audiobook innovation.
Search effortlessly, read honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the book and the narration, and discover hidden gems. Download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere and get the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to get tailored content recommendations, product updates and info on new releases. Your data is your own: we commit to protect your data and respect your privacy.