Series: Shakespeare Stealer
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (February 18, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142300667
ISBN-13: 978-0142300664
Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #499,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #52 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Performing Arts > Theater #374 in Books > Teens > Historical Fiction > Europe #2017 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Family
From the beginning, this sequel to the masterful THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER bodes ill (literally), with grim references to the devastsating outbreak of the plague that swept London in the early 1600s. Widge is back, with a cast of other great characters, and together they perform a startlingly real and profound tale of finding ones self and ones true family when just finding money enough for your daily bread is difficult enough. As the Lord Chamberlain's Men tour Northern England, the hardships of the gypsy life soon became apparent. As the players were turned back from town after town, I became as frustrated and bitter as Widge. When Redshaw appeared, I began to hope for Widge that he wouldn't have to end up choosing between his blood and his adopted family. And as Sal Pavy (known with the two names side by side throughout the book) stole part after part from his peers, I was angry. Whether you enjoy a good adventure or a puzzling mystery, you will enjoy this book, which well lives up to its predecessor.
Didn't love it as much as the first,but still enjoyed it. Good amount of action (duels), some subtle mystery, and some interesting new characters. One new character I really could do without, though.Got really emotional and a bit angry at one point, but no spoilers.Was frustrated with Widge's lack of confidence and ability to stick up for himself. It takes him way too long to fight for himself in this one. After what he'd been through that surprised me. The ending happened way too fast. Everything unfolds really quickly and I would have liked it the last four ages had a bit more time. More exploration of what the characters were feeling.Loved Mr. Shakespeare in this. It's interesting seeing him in the process of writing one of my favorite plays. The inclusion of his brother Ned was a good touch to the story as well.
This book, a sequel to Blackwood's Shakespeare's Scribe, is a worthy follow-up, but does not surpass the fun and excitement of the first volume. Slightly sluggish, somewhat bloated, "Scribe" is surprisingly slower than "Stealer", despite the opportunities for high drama given the subject matter. The main character, Widge, discovers the man who may -- or may not -- be his father. As he did in his first volume, Blackwood offers Widge a number of moral dilemmas which make for very interesting reading for the target audience, young teens. As a father who read this book out loud to his two sons, I appreciate the historical accuracy of Elizabethan England that Blackwood includes, incorporating issues of poverty, starvation, and the Plague, all of which were prevalent during this time. With a little tighter editing and about 30 fewer pages, this could have been a stronger overall effort.
When my twelve year old son recommended The Shakespeare Stealer to me, I put it aside for a while, but, gosh, my son doesn't recommend books very often to his English teacher mom, so I read it. The colorful characters and swift-moving plot kept me involved, so I was ready when my son handed me the sequel. I found it even better! Swordfights, the plague, and a mysterious, suspicious character enliven the plot. And Will Shakespeare himself has more of a role. What a fun and I must say educational (the dreaded E word) read for this age group! I'm ordering the next in the series today!
This book is an excellent read! IT is even better than the shakespeare stealer. After the plague becomes a threat to Lord Chamberlin's men they have to travel and preform plays in order to keep everything running. Sander decides to stay behind to take care of the orphan children and Widge goes. Widge however has a new threat. This new actor, Sal Pavy, who is as rude as anything is stealing all Widge's roles. Of course Widge is a good actor but is the new Sal Pavy even better? And to make matters worse Mr. Shakespeare breakes his arms and has to have Widge scribe for him. If Widge already doesn't have 2 much 2 do-- he also become a small physician for the Chamberlin's men since he was an apprentice to a physician, Dr.Bright, before. And then widge meets someone who claims to be his father. Is he really who he says he is? If so will Widge leave the company to be with him? This is a must read.
The Shakespeare Stealer Series: The Shakespeare Stealer / Shakespeare's Scribe / Shakespeare's Spy Shakespeare's Scribe (Shakespeare Stealer) Shakespeare's Spy (Shakespeare Stealer, Book 3) The Shakespeare Stealer The Revolt of the Scribe in Modern Italian Literature (Toronto Italian Studies) The Scribe The Faithful Scribe: A Story of Islam, Pakistan, Family, and War Art of the Maya Scribe The Scribe: Silas (Sons of Encouragement Series #5) A Child's Portrait of Shakespeare (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series) William Shakespeare's Tragedy of the Sith's Revenge: Star Wars Part the Third (William Shakespeare's Star Wars) William Shakespeare's The Clone Army Attacketh: Star Wars Part the Second (William Shakespeare's Star Wars) Twenty Shakespeare Children's Stories - The Complete 20 Books Boxed Collection: The Winters Take, Macbeth, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo ... and More (A Shakespeare Children's Story) Shakespeare's Sonnets (Arden Shakespeare) Shakespeare's Sonnets (Folger Shakespeare Library) Othello: Oxford School Shakespeare (Oxford School Shakespeare Series) Twelfth Night (2010 edition): Oxford School Shakespeare (Oxford School Shakespeare Series) The Tempest (Arkangel Shakespeare - Fully Dramatized) (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare) Coriolanus (Arkangel Shakespeare - Fully Dramatized) (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare) The Taming of the Shrew (Arkangel Shakespeare - Fully Dramatized) (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare)