
TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE - by - CHARLES AND MARY LAMB - PREFACE
THE TEMPEST
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
THE WINTER'S TALE
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
AS YOU LIKE IT
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
CYMBELINE
KING LEAR
Designed as a gentle gateway into the world of Shakespeare, this collection reshapes the bard’s most famous tragedies and comedies into short, connected stories suitable for early readers. The editors preserve as much of the original wording as possible, sprinkling familiar lines throughout the narrative while keeping the prose clear and approachable. Though occasional dialogue remains, it serves as a taste of the playwright’s rhythm, inviting curiosity without overwhelming a young mind.
Beyond entertainment, the tales aim to nurture virtues such as courtesy, generosity, and empathy, echoing the moral heart of the original works. They also encourage older siblings to share passages aloud, turning reading into a shared family experience that prepares children for the full richness of Shakespeare’s plays later on. In this way, the book offers both a charming storytime and a stepping stone toward deeper literary appreciation.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (560K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
1996-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1775–1834
Best known for the warm, personal Essays of Elia and for Tales from Shakespeare, written with his sister Mary, this beloved English essayist brought wit, tenderness, and everyday life into literature. His writing still feels close and human nearly two centuries later.
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1764–1847
Best known for helping bring Shakespeare to young readers, this English writer turned great plays into lively, readable stories. Her life was marked by hardship, but her work has stayed in print for generations.
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