Could a treasure trove of 400-year-old letters constitute a previously unknown “diary” written by William Shakespeare? After 25 years of research, I believe the astonishing answer is yes. The Lost Letters of William Shakespeare: The Undiscovered Diary of His Strange Eventful Life and Loves reveals vibrant details from Shakespeare’s arrival in London to the premiere of Titus Andronicus, his first play to be staged, along with political commentary on Elizabethan of England (and surprising insight into how it affects us today), as well a magnificent but tragic love story.
In 1989, I performed a one-man play about the life of William Shakespeare in London. “Miss B”, an elderly woman was apparently sufficiently impressed by my impersonation of the Bard that she offered to show me some old, never-published letters that she believed were written by William Shakespeare. Although I was initially skeptical, it was an offer too good to pass up. What I discovered in these letters began to unravel almost everything I thought I knew about the great poet and playwright. My Prologue to The Lost Letters describes our meetings, more about my mysterious benefactor, and how – throughout my subsequent careers in business and public service – I spent over two decades decoding and researching what these letters had to say, in order to adapt this true story for the modern listener.
Overall, these remarkable letters represent a wealth of as-yet-undiscovered knowledge about Shakespeare’s relationships, personality, and career as he carved out his place in the chaotic world of 16th-century London. Whether you are a Shakespeare scholar, merely a fan, or even if you have never read any of his works, the stories of the The Lost Letters will enthrall you with their fascinating and true tale.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.