Five Books For Shakespeare's Birthday

Bardolatry

Apr 12, 2025

*Portrait of William Shakespeare*, date unknown. Attributed to John Taylor (1585-1651).

Welcome to Five Books For, a newsletter for people who love great stories. I’m so happy you’re here.

April feels like a good time to talk about Shakespeare. It’s the month we mark both his birth and his death (on the 23rd, although his actual birthday is unknown). It’s no accident that Shakespeare’s work still inspires writers more than 400 years on. His plays wrestle with what it means to be human - our flaws, our passions, our relationships, our need for meaning - but they are also full of the joy of language. If you love literature, I really do think Shakespeare is worth reading. There’s a reason his words continue to resonate today. If you feel like dipping your toe into the Shakespearean waters before reading the plays themselves, then there are some great options to choose from here.

April 23rd also happens to be St. George’s day, the feast day of the dragon-slaying patron saint of both England and of Cataluña, where he is known as Sant Jordi. Sant Jordi’s feast day is a magical occasion in Cataluña: it’s celebrated by giving gifts of books and roses to those you love. If you’ve ever visited Barcelona or the wider region over the 23rd you’ll no doubt have seen how the streets are lined with book stalls and flower stands - if you love reading and are considering a visit then definitely consider coming at this time of year (the weather is great, too). I think it’s wonderful to have a day that reminds us how stories can connect us, and how reading can be one of the most meaningful gifts we share with one another.

So this month, I’ve gathered a few books that take inspiration from Shakespeare’s plays - some in subtle, surprising ways, others more directly. Whether it’s a satirical Hamlet-inspired tale set in the South Pacific, a murder mystery set in an Elizabethan theatre, or a family drama echoing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, each of these novels shows how the Bard’s themes continue to resonate: love, ambition, power, betrayal and transformation.

As ever, I hope you find something new to surprise and delight you, or perhaps to pass on to someone you love - with or without a rose.

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Okay, let’s dive in!

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

“What made it bearable were the friendships, of course, the camaraderie and the music and the Shakespeare, the moments of transcendent beauty and joy when it didn’t matter who’d used the last of the rosin on their bow or who anyone had slept with, although someone—probably Sayid— had written ‘Sartre: Hell is other people’ in pen inside one of the caravans, and someone else had scratched out ‘other people’ and substituted ‘flutes’.”

So what’s it about? Set in the not-so-distant future, Station Eleven follows a small cast of key characters across two timelines: their lives before and after a deadly flu pandemic which kills more than 99 percent of the world’s population.

The story opens with a performance of King Lear, during which Hollywood star Arthur Leander collapses and dies onstage. Eight-year-old Kirsten Raymonde, acting in the production, and Jeevan, a trainee paramedic who attempts to save Arthur, have no idea that within hours the pandemic will begin sweeping across the globe.

Twenty years later, Kirsten is a member of the Traveling Symphony, a troupe of actors and musicians who roam the post-pandemic Great Lakes region performing Shakespeare and classical music for isolated communities of survivors. But one of their regular stops is now controlled by a dangerous prophet, who turns out to have a surprising connection to both Kirsten and to Arthur. As the story unfolds, the lives of the main characters begin to interlace in unexpected ways, revealing poignant connections between past and present.

What’s great about it? This is one of the most beautiful and understated novels I’ve ever read; it immediately sent me searching looking for more of Mandel’s work. The prose is gorgeous and meditative and while the subject matter is obviously dark, it is a book full of hope and humanity.

The structure and the way in which the characters are connected could easily feel contrived in the hands of a less skilled writer, but here everything is handled with subtlety and grace, which means you can really lose yourself in the story and consider the questions the book is asking: what does it mean to survive in a world where so much has been lost? How does art bring us closer to our shared humanity? How do you live under the weight of memory?

The characters are fully-rounded with lots of emotional depth and the reflections on the fragility of both our own individual lives and of civilisation itself will resonate with anyone who likes books with real depth and substance as well as great storytelling.

Give it a try if: you love literature, especially with beautiful prose; you love Shakespeare; you love dystopian novels; you love stories with layers; you love books that explore what it is to be human; you believe in the power of art; you love books which explore big philosophical questions.

One Big Damn Puzzler by John Harding

“Managua adjusted his spectacles and peered more intently at his Complete Shakespeare, partly by way of showing Lamua that he was ignoring her but also because the print was so bloody damn small. He must see Miss Lucy about some new reading glasses. This pair seemed to be losing all their strength, but then again that was only to be expected; he had had them for a couple of years and they were second-hand when he got them, or rather second-eye, he told himself. He smiled, congratulating himself on his little joke. It was the kind of joke Shakespeare made all the time, which just showed the benefit of reading the great man, and why it would do the islanders good to see Hamlet.”

So what’s it about? This is a hugely enjoyable, clever read centred around Hamlet, set on a fictional South Pacific island where the indigenous people live in a world mostly untouched by modernity, bar a few remnants of Western influence. Managua, one of the islanders, is obsessed with translating Hamlet into the local dialect, setting the stage for some playful linguistic acrobatics, complete with humorous and often unintended quirks of meaning.

When an American lawyer named William Hardt arrives on the island, claiming to offer legal assistance in obtaining reparations for damage caused by Western colonialism, he disrupts the delicate balance of island life. However, as he becomes more entangled in the community, the lines between civilisation and primitivism blur, leading to revelations about language, storytelling, and what it truly means to be ‘civilised’.

What’s great about it? You can tell that this is a book written by someone who loves language; it’s filled with wordplay, linguistic invention, and joyful experimentation, most often seen in the passages related to Managua’s translation of Hamlet. While it explores serious themes like colonialism, capitalism, and Western interventionism, they’re handled lightly and in such a satirical way that it’s a very fun read.

It’s also an original and slightly quirky book, blending literary fiction with satire and borrowing from multiple traditions to carve out something entirely its own.

Give it a try if: you love books that explore different (and colliding) cultures; you love books that make you laugh; you love books which are a bit different; you like books which explore political issues in a light-hearted way; you like satire; you love books which play with language; you’ve always wanted to see Hamlet reimagined on a remote Pacific Island.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

“The thing about Shakespeare is, he’s so eloquent… He speaks the unspeakable. He turns grief and triumph and rapture and rage into words, into something we can understand. He renders the whole mystery of humanity comprehensible.”

So what’s it about? This is a dark thriller with a literary bent, set on an elite arts college campus (I don’t love the term ‘dark academia’ but it’s certainly appropriate here). Oliver Marks is in prison, finishing a 10-year sentence for a murder that took place during his time at college, but even Joseph Colborne, the detective who first solved the case, doesn’t fully believe in Oliver’s guilt.

When Oliver is released, he agrees to tell Colborne the true story of what happened. He takes us back to meet a younger Oliver and his five close-knit, Shakespeare-obsessed friends, students in a prestigious Shakespearean theatre programme who are usually cast in the same roles. This time, though, the roles are recast, and the resulting rivalries, jealousy, and ambition destabilise the group until a fateful night - and the words of Shakespeare - change everything.

What’s great about it? This is truly a love letter to Shakespeare - not only are the characters studying his works, they frequently speak in lines from his plays and the themes of the plays, particularly Macbeth, Julius Caesar and King Lear, are echoed in the story itself which makes it a great read for any fan of Shakespeare.

The atmosphere and setting are perfectly rendered and it really captures the intensity and uncertainty of young adulthood. The mystery is slow burning but compelling - a delicate balance to strike - and the final reveal is satisfying, although the book’s ending is ambiguous and therefore might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Give it a try if: you love books set in universities; you love murder mysteries; you love Shakespeare’s language; you love books which explore friendship, love and betrayal; you like your murder mysteries to err on the literary side; you like stories which leave their endings open.

Much Ado About Murder by Simon Hawke

So what’s it about? Have you ever thought that Shakespeare might make a good detective? Well, Simon Hawke has, and this book is the result. Shakespeare and his friend Tuck find themselves embroiled in a murder investigation when a pompous, insufferable actor is found dead - poisoned on stage, no less - and solving it will mean navigating the cutthroat rivalries of the theatrical world, dealing with the ever-present threat of political intrigue, and trying to make sure that no more blood is spilled.

What’s great about it? This is another fun, light-hearted read that doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s well-researched and really brings Elizabethan London to life, peppering it with real historical figures, and particularly the vibrant, chaotic world of the theatre.

There’s plenty of humour and wordplay, along with clever nods to Shakespeare’s work, but it’s never heavy-handed or too knowing: a perfect pick if you’re in the mood for something clever, quick, and full of charm.

Give it a try if: you love detective fiction; you love books which feature real historical figures; you love learning about Elizabethan times; you love the theatre; you like your murder mysteries to be on the lighter side; you love historical fiction.

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner

“For his entire life, Eli Danhauser had been good. Except for four days, more than twenty years ago, when Eli had not been good, when he’d been the exact opposite of good. And now, he feared, the result of that single, brief lapse had come back to haunt him, the way he always knew it would, and the truth, instead of setting anyone free, was going to destroy everything he’d worked for and hurt everyone he’d loved.”

So what’s it about? This is a perfect summer read: a multi-generational family drama which was loosely inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and which has a lot of the same playfulness alongside plenty of emotional depth. The story is centred around Sarah Danhauser, whose 22-year-old stepdaughter, Ruby, announces a whirlwind engagement after the pandemic lockdowns. As the wedding plans take shape, secrets, past loves, and unexpected revelations threaten to upend the big day.

At the heart of the story is Sarah’s mother, Veronica, who has decided to sell the family’s beloved summer house. As family members return to the Cape for one last gathering, tensions rise, hidden desires come to light, and long-buried truths reshape relationships.

What’s great about it? This is a thoughtful and tender exploration of love, betrayal, second chances, and the complex ties that bind families together. The story is told from multiple perspectives which are woven together skilfully which enriches the narrative and makes the story more compelling.

All of the characters are well-drawn and feel relatable, and the setting of the Cape Cod beach house also makes for a lovely read, acting as both a nostalgic anchor for the family and a character in its own right. Much like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there are lots of surprises, twists and turns and the story is full of hidden connections and rumination on the effects of past mistakes and secrets. There’s also an exploration of ideas around fate and its impact on love.

Give it a try if: you love books about families; you love stories where the past comes back to bite the characters; you like books with beach side settings; you’re looking for a holiday read with a bit more substance; you like books which focus in on the relationships between characters; you like books with multiple viewpoints where there is a lot going on.

Thanks for reading!

I hope you found something good to read here. As ever, I’d love to hear if you’ve read and loved (or even hated) any of the books here, and which ones you’d add to the list. You can reply directly to this email or leave a comment by clicking the button below.