Tag: Georges Duval

Book Edition Reviews, Book Reviews, Books

Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, Limited Editions Club (1939)

The comedy Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, written in 1598 or 1599, is generally considered one of his best as it “combines elements of robust hilarity with more serious meditations on honour, shame, and court politics” (see here). In the preface to the play (in the prospectus to this edition), German philosopher Hermann Ulrici (1806-1884) further describes the tenants underlying the surface level humor in the play: …as in most … Continue reading Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, Limited Editions Club (1939)

Chris T. Adamson1 Comment
Book Edition Reviews, Book Reviews, Books

King Henry IV, parts I & II, by William Shakespeare, Limited Editions Club (1939)

Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part II are historical plays by William Shakespeare. Part I, which  was written and first performed in 1597 and first printed in quarto in 1598 by stationer Andrew Wise, has always been much more popular and critically acclaimed than Part II.  In fact, Henry IV, Part I was Shakespeare’s most popular printed text with eight new editions appearing over the first one hundred years of its existence. Henry IV, … Continue reading King Henry IV, parts I & II, by William Shakespeare, Limited Editions Club (1939)

Chris T. Adamson1 Comment
Book Reviews, Books

Old Goriot, by Honore De Balzac, Limited Editions Club (1948)

Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was an early proponent of literary realism (perhaps with a dash of naturalism), with the collection called La Comédie humane (The Human Comedy) being his crowning achievement. At 91 published works and 46 unpublished, this collection of interrelated stories is immense. His characters are real; even the good have flaws. Themes include power, wealth and social success. Characters across the social spectrum come in and out throughout his novels, typically shown … Continue reading Old Goriot, by Honore De Balzac, Limited Editions Club (1948)

Chris T. Adamson3 Comments
Book Edition Reviews, Books

The Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies of William Shakespeare, Limited Editions Club (1939/1940)

William Shakespeare. The mere name puts students around the world into a state of fear and grief, sends conspiracy theorists into excited revelry and draws nervous shame from the masses who have never experienced Shakespeare. Yet, for lovers of literature, especially those who have read and re-read Shakespeare after reaching a mature age, hearing his name excites one’s soul while stimulating intellect, recalling scene after … Continue reading The Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies of William Shakespeare, Limited Editions Club (1939/1940)

Chris T. Adamson32 Comments