Book recommendation: Shakespeare by Another Name: The Life of Edward deVere, Earl of Oxford, the Man Who Was Shakespeare, by Mark Anderson
After reading this 380 page book (minus the appendixes and notes), I was convinced that Edward deVere is the true author of the Shakespeare plays. Anderson makes his case by showing how much deVere’s life parallels the contents of the plays. He offers logical explanations and provides incredible insight. Even some famous Shakespearian actors are on board with this idea. For any fan of the Bard, I think this is required reading. I was fascinated. Has anybody else read this? Any skeptics with an open mind?
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
(translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky)
Books One and Two
I started this as my summer reading. It is a big undertaking for me since I’m a slow reader, and this is over 800 pages. And Dostoevsky has a reputation of always being heavy and brooding, which I believed after reading Notes from the Underground back in college. But this is a nice surprise. There is humor in it, namely with the father, who makes you laugh. And other characters are quirky and funny, though in smaller doses. But the character development in general is amazing. So well thought out, so deep into their mindsets. Dostoevsky provides insight with great anecdotes. As far as the writing, there is not one wasted sentence, and all is perfectly balanced.
A few parts stuck out for me. One is a dialogue on the separation of Church and state. How fantastic to explore this concept intelligently. We as Americans just accept their separation because it’s in our Constitution. It would be great unite them, but people get in the way. Another part that stuck out is when a spiritual elder discusses lies, which leads to fear, which leads to other consequences. Great passage. And finally, there’s a quote from Saint Isaac the Syrian that moved me: “Suffer with joy the dishonor which providentially befalleth thee, and be not troubled, neither hate him who dishonoreth thee.”
Books Three and Four
My first thought is that I am so pleasantly surprised at how fun of a book this is to read. I want to call it a comedy. The characters are SO well developed, and so eccentric, too, that it just makes it move. The scenarios weave in and out, but with a purpose. And not a single line is wasted. You have to pay attention, and that is an exercise that is sharpening my brain. I haven’t read a novel in about two years, and the brain gets stale. I’m back in the groove.
Two parts stuck out to me here. The first, without spoiling anything, is of a person who is dying and gives a final speech. The whole page is quote-worthy, but let me give a line: “For you must know, my dear ones, that each of us is undoubtedly guilty on behalf of all and for all on earth, not only because of the common guilt of the world, but personally, each one of us, for all people and for each person on earth…Only then will our hearts be moved to a love that is infinite, universal, and that know no satiety.” The second is a of a father who is deeply humiliated in front of his son and the son develops a chip on his shoulder. But I love how the father (though an eccentric character himself) talks to his son and consoles him. He reaches out to him and speaks from the heart, appropriately. I don’t think any fathers do that. I see most fathers as Homer Simpson; they just don’t know what to say or do. I could be wrong, maybe some fathers are insightful and emotionally intelligent.
Books five and six
It was a comedy until it made a hard left and got deep, spiritual/religious, and philosophical. It was so moving, enriching, and satisfying for me to read because I’m always looking for truths and new ideas. The “long tirade” Ivan has with his brother in the tavern really makes you think about life. Then, the chapter titled “The Grand Inquisitor” gets really deep about freedom and how it affects people, looking at it in a way we are not accustomed to in America: “But man seeks to bow down before that which is indisputable, so indisputable that all men at once would agree to universal worship of it.” Then there is discussion about guilt: “…each of us is guilty before everyone, for everyone and everything.” This idea comes up again later, and it’s so profound. “From Talks and Homilies of the Elder Zosima”…wow. “Each time you pray, if you do so sincerely, there will be a flash of a new feeling in it, and a new thought as well, one you did not know before, which will give you fresh courage; and you will understand that prayer is education.” Love that. So much to comment on, but just read for yourself and contemplate. This book could change you.
Books seven and eight
Here it gets back to the action and comedy. I didn’t mark any quotes that I wanted to share in these books, but again, the writing is spectacular. I’ll just say what I think of Grushenka: I’d stay away from her. She’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and you don’t know how long it will last or what to believe. Mitya is delirious, but it’s revealed why. It’s the very end of Book Eight that’s the turning point of the book, when someone gets murdered (trying not to give any spoilers, though you probably know who).
The Brothers Karamazov