We get novelisation of films, but what about plays? I know I can freely read his plays anywhere online, but surely reading a script is less ideal than reading a novelised version written for people who were born sometime after Bach, assuming you’re not planning a word-for-word performance yourself of course.

I don’t even enjoy reading the scripts for my favourite films, and I understand all of the words, phrasings and allusions in those. With Shakespeare, I need to do a 4-year college course just to know what the fuck he’s on about.

This isn’t me being anti-intellectual, I respect anyone who can read through Shakespeare and enjoy it, it’s more about life being too fucking short and I’d like to experience the stories in a less torturous manner if possible.

If this has been attempted, can you recommend any authors?

Cheers!

  • kersploosh@sh.itjust.works
    23·
    6 months ago

    There are certainly lots of film adaptations. I can think of two off the top of my head: Ten Things I Hate About You is a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew, and Disney’s The Lion King is straight Hamlet.

    I’m surprised that I can’t easily find novelizations on Google. They must exist. If not, then that seems like a great opportunity.