Literature Network » Charles Lamb

BOOKS: FETCH THE STRAITJACKET Charles Lamb's `Essays of Elia' are sparkling classics of prose, but, as Mark Bostridge relates, behind his urbanity lurked the demons of madness and despair; A Double Life: A biography of Charles and Mary Lamb By

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From: The Independent on Sunday
Date: 20030817
Author:Mark Bostridge

Many of us probably possess a rather cosy notion of that brother and sister writing partnership, Charles and Mary Lamb, based on early reading of their classic work for children, Tales from Shakespeare. First published in 1807, and never out of print, these stories, adapted from 20 of Shakespeare's plays, are clever and powerful summaries designed to provide children with enough plot and characterisation to allow them to understand the plays themselves when they later see or read the authentic versions.

Described as "one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the history of the romantic ...

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