Tales from Shakespeare Audiobook, by Charles Lamb Play Audiobook Sample

Tales from Shakespeare Audiobook

Tales from Shakespeare Audiobook, by Charles Lamb Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Wanda McCaddon Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481576604

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

21

Longest Chapter Length:

36:14 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

04:48 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

26:35 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

18

Other Audiobooks Written by Charles Lamb: > View All...

Listeners Also Enjoyed:

Publisher Description

This retelling in prose of twenty of Shakespeare’s thirty-seven plays was originally published just for children. Keeping Shakespeare’s own words whenever possible but making the plots and language easily understandable, this very listenable collection has entertained and informed generations of adults as well. With such classic stories as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Hamlet, and more, Shakespeare’s most memorable characters come to life anew as magicians and fairies, fools and kings weave their magic, mischief, and madness.

Contents include: 

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

Cybeline

King Lear

Macbeth

All’s Well That Ends Well

The Taming of the Shrew

The Comedy of Errors

Measure for Measure

Twelfth Night

Timon of Athens

Romeo and Juliet

Hamlet

Othello

Pericles, Prince of Tyre

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"Thank God for Charles Lamb! His choice of Shakespearean works turned out to be a beautiful trail-mix of salty-sweet stories that just keep you going. This is in no way a boring read, but while it is quite condensed and easy to understand, it still stays true to Shakespeare's "Ye-Olde" style of story telling plus it provides you the basic skeleton of his stories, enabling you to better understand the original work itself should you decide to read more of ol' Will later on."

— Ultimotomasino (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Conquering the distaste for knowledge and learning which so frequently opposes itself to the instruction of children; and we do not scruple to say that, unless perhaps we except Robinson Crusoe, these volumes claim the very first place, and stand unique, without rival or competitor.”

    — Critical Review, 1807
  • “The Lambs’ Tales is the granddaddy of all Cliff Notes and may be the only one that qualifies in its own right as a work of literature. These narrative retellings of 18 of Shakespeare’s plays don’t attempt to reproduce the plays’ structure or dramatic qualities, but recast the stories into narrative form with freedom and dexterity.”

    — AudioFile

Tales from Shakespeare Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.07843137254902 out of 54.07843137254902 out of 54.07843137254902 out of 54.07843137254902 out of 54.07843137254902 out of 5 (4.08)
5 Stars: 22
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great for introducing Shakespeare to children. "

    — Tina, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It wasn't a bad introduction to Shakespeare when I was a kid. Even though I'm not a big fan of abridgments or adaptations, I felt like this was okay. "

    — Klawr, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Found the hard back second hand and listened to much of the audio together. Anne listened to quite a bit on her own too. "

    — Verena, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The kids begged for more Shakespeare. No, really, they did. Although it was a difficult read aloud with all of it's run on sentences, this was a wonderful version of Shakespeare. Not overly simplified but easier than reading the plays. I had intended to read one story a month to them but ended up doing one or more a week! "

    — Amber, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Easy to read and understand. A good intro to Shakespeare and his works. "

    — Riki, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " My first introduction to Shakespeare as a small child and it was such a good way to read the stories "

    — Pat, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Man, the most difficult words of English.. I could never understand Shakespeare's language.. Anyway, done with Macbeth and R&J... loved both of 'em.. "

    — Sundeep, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was the only form of Shakespeare I could tolerate to read. I wish I still had my copy! "

    — Natalie, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A good summary of some, but not all of Shakespeare's plays. The authors at times put in their own feelings about characters motivations and such but that's to be expected from works of the time. A good introduction for younger readers of Shakespeare. "

    — Staci, 11/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is the most basic break down I have ever read of Shakespeare's work- it's great to familiarize yourself with a particular piece before reading and dissecting the original version. I also highly recommend as a way for younger readers to get a feel for the bard. "

    — Tamera, 9/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I always did love Shakespeare :3 "

    — Laurel, 9/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This re-taling of Shakespeare classics is great. I enjoy reading them to my chilren. They are shortened a lot but the language is not over-simplified. The book was written in 1807 and a lot of the wording is directly from the original plays so my younger children don't understand everything. "

    — Jennie, 9/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The taming of the shrew-I think that Katharine had a very bad temper. I think that Petruchio was crazy to want marry Katharine. 7/11 "

    — Littlemama, 9/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I have copies of this book on each coast - in the hopes of reading stories to my niece and nephew if I can get them to sit still long enough. "

    — Megan, 7/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " These retellings make me want to re-read the plays, and see the ones that I have missed. "

    — Katie, 5/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have had this book for at least 15 years and this is the book that made me fall in love with the stories by Shakespeare. "

    — Tierra, 5/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is an amazing book because Charles and Mary Lamb make Shakespeare obtainable if the language is perceived as difficult to understand. They bring the stories alive! This book created mt love or Shakespeare and gave me an idea of how to approach the original books "

    — Alexia, 1/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " One of those childhood classics. I don't think I've read it all, but I did read the complete works of Shakespeare instead. "

    — Valerie, 10/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Read it last year. We read A Midsummer night's dream Hamlet and a few others. Now he wants to read Macbeth. "

    — Neem, 9/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Especially for Lovely Lucy. My intellectual grandaughter. The best beginner's Shakespeare. Easy read and very entertaining. "

    — Peacenow, 9/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is the copy I bought for my children in 1976 which is a fascsimile of the 1909 Edition and is illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Whenever I attend a Shakespearn play, I not only read the play, but read Charles & Mary Lamb's synopsis. It's a great resource. "

    — Etta, 8/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This books helps to take Shakespeare out of "play" format into story-telling - great for reading with the kids - and an intro to the much longer play and old-English format. "

    — Lisa, 6/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I got more than half-way through this and only neglected to finish it because it was due back at the library. Wonderful summaries of the plays I have read, and the summaries of the ones I hadn't read made me want to read them. "

    — Christina, 5/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this is a very good pre-shakespeare book for kids. the tales are told in a story line instead of a play scrpt, so i find it easier to follow!:) it is also a good read-aloud. "

    — Jtz, 4/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this is a very good pre-shakespeare book for kids. the tales are told in a story line instead of a play scrpt, so i find it easier to follow!:) it is also a good read-aloud. "

    — Jtz, 4/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you're a fan of short stories and suck at interpreting prolific sentences, this book is for you. This is a good introduction for people who wants to meet Shakespeare's works but too lazy to read them. It's like reading Edith Hamilton's Mythology, easy, breezy, reading but satisfying. "

    — Ana, 2/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you're a fan of short stories and suck at interpreting prolific sentences, this book is for you. This is a good introduction for people who wants to meet Shakespeare's works but too lazy to read them. It's like reading Edith Hamilton's Mythology, easy, breezy, reading but satisfying. "

    — Ana, 2/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have had this book for at least 15 years and this is the book that made me fall in love with the stories by Shakespeare. "

    — Tierra, 2/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have had this book for at least 15 years and this is the book that made me fall in love with the stories by Shakespeare. "

    — Tierra, 2/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " a good way to introduce children to the stories of shakespeare's tales if not his gift of words. "

    — Michele, 12/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " a good way to introduce children to the stories of shakespeare's tales if not his gift of words. "

    — Michele, 12/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This books helps to take Shakespeare out of "play" format into story-telling - great for reading with the kids - and an intro to the much longer play and old-English format. "

    — Lisa, 10/30/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This books helps to take Shakespeare out of "play" format into story-telling - great for reading with the kids - and an intro to the much longer play and old-English format. "

    — Lisa, 10/30/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Well, I certainly thought it was easier to read these stories (though there were a lot of annoyingly simply spelling mistakes) than the original Shakespeare. :) "

    — Michelle, 10/25/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Well, I certainly thought it was easier to read these stories (though there were a lot of annoyingly simply spelling mistakes) than the original Shakespeare. :) "

    — Michelle, 10/25/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " aaah oh now I get it "

    — Kate, 8/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " aaah oh now I get it "

    — Kate, 8/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Especially for Lovely Lucy. My intellectual grandaughter. The best beginner's Shakespeare. Easy read and very entertaining. "

    — Peacenow, 6/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Especially for Lovely Lucy. My intellectual grandaughter. The best beginner's Shakespeare. Easy read and very entertaining. "

    — Peacenow, 6/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the best books to lead any young person into the plays of Shakespeare beautifully. I loved these as a child and it has been fun reading them to my kids. Its still as fresh now as I remember it. A joy. "

    — Angie, 5/21/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the best books to lead any young person into the plays of Shakespeare beautifully. I loved these as a child and it has been fun reading them to my kids. Its still as fresh now as I remember it. A joy. "

    — Angie, 5/21/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It wasn't a bad introduction to Shakespeare when I was a kid. Even though I'm not a big fan of abridgments or adaptations, I felt like this was okay. "

    — Clarmelia, 5/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It wasn't a bad introduction to Shakespeare when I was a kid. Even though I'm not a big fan of abridgments or adaptations, I felt like this was okay. "

    — Clarmelia, 5/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was a great adventure for someone as unenlightened as me. All of Shakespear's plays are summarized in a neat 10-20 pages and include famous or/and pivotal quotes. "

    — Becky, 5/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was a great adventure for someone as unenlightened as me. All of Shakespear's plays are summarized in a neat 10-20 pages and include famous or/and pivotal quotes. "

    — Becky, 5/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I've had this book for like five years and have yet to finish all the stories in here. Pathetic. "

    — 3/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I've had this book for like five years and have yet to finish all the stories in here. Pathetic. "

    — 3/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was a good introduction to some of the plays I haven't read yet and a good review of those I have studied. "

    — Giselle, 2/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was a good introduction to some of the plays I haven't read yet and a good review of those I have studied. "

    — Giselle, 2/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This isn't the exact edition I don't think, but it's close enough. Charles and Mary Lamb do an excellent job of translating several Shakespeare plays into modern, simple English prose for children. "

    — Rachel, 2/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This isn't the exact edition I don't think, but it's close enough. Charles and Mary Lamb do an excellent job of translating several Shakespeare plays into modern, simple English prose for children. "

    — Rachel, 2/11/2010

About the Authors

Charles Lamb is the author of the AL:ICE series of science fiction novels. He was raised in the Southwest, survived a tour of duty in the Pacific Northwest, and now resides in Florida with his wife and three dogs.

Josephine Bailey’s impeccable narrations include the British classics Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. She has also used her subtly nuanced style to enliven historical fiction and light romances. She has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award.

About Wanda McCaddon

Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.