These versions of Shakespeare plays are so handy and well written, I am collecting them all for my class.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This is a great series for children. There are 16 of Shakespear's stories told at the preteen level. I find it perfect even for adults that could never get into the original books. Some of Shakespear's books are dark and evil so parents may want to read the story with their children or to discuss it when they are done. I would highly recommend all 16 books in the series.

This was a very accessible version of Othello for younger readers. As this is one of Shakespeare's darker works I was very curious to see what got left in and what got taken out. They did a great job with balancing the story for a younger age range.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

** “My actions were not wise, but I did truly love you.” **

Sam Newman retells William Shakespeare’s “Othello” for young readers, a story of instilling doubt, revenge, mistrust and trickery, with illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

When Othello secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator, Roderigo becomes furious for he too loves her. With the help of his soldier friend, Iago, Roderigo sets off a plot to eliminate Othello and his friend Cassio, who was given the lieutenant position Iago desired.

What follows is a series of tragedies, revealing the impact of lies and schemes.

Newman does a brilliant job of retelling a classic Shakespeare tale in five short acts in a way readers of all ages will understand and enjoy. The publisher does include a note indicating Shakespeare’s works can contain sensitive themes so adults should read these stories with their children.

Five stars out of five.

Arcturus Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I have read this book along with many of Samantha Newman's other 'Shakespeare tales' books. I have always been intrigued by Shakespeare's books but have only ever read Romeo and Juliet and that was about 20 years ago when I was in school. When I came across this book I thought it was a perfect way to get these stories out in the world for those who struggle with classic books. I read this book to my son along with him reading them. Malaki is ten years old and has loved reading these along with myself. Along with being interesting and fun books with great narrations they have all included morals/tales of some sort which Malaki enjoys telling me what the lesson to the story is. A great book and I'm looking forward to reading more of them. My son says that he has enjoyed reading them and it is good that there are books from Shakespeares he is able to read and understand.

Good retelling of Othello for kids, capturing the complex plot and tense atmosphere of the story very well. At the start, Othello seems to be the luckiest man alive -- a successful military general with a lovely wife Desdemona who is truly in love with and devoted to him.

However, his fellow soldier Iago feels that Othello treated him unfairly and is out for revenge! He wants to make Othello believe that Desdemona is an adulterous woman who desires Othello's friend Cassio instead. Iago hatches plans to fool Othello and ruin his good fortune, This is a tragedy, so the reader must be prepared for the worst possible ending.

Although this abridged series nicely deals with adult themes, sometimes it omits important things like racial or religious prejudice. Notably, this book only refers to Othello as a "foreigner" rather than specify that he is a Moor, or an African with dark skin who faces prejudice from his White fellow soldiers. (The pictures do show him as dark-skinned, but given that this series' illustrations make many "canonically White" characters like Juliet and the Capulet family dark-skinned in an effort to show diversity, the effect of showing Othello as dark-skinned is lost and does not capture his unique position.) Iago's hatred of Othello was largely racially-motivated in Shakespeare's play, and I wish this book this book could have conveyed that to young readers. Racism is unfortunately very much present at all levels in society today and should not be swept under the carpet for children but discussed in a reasonable way.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC!

A great adaptation for younger adults and teens to understand Shakespeare. The story is well done and easily understood. This is a good start for those interested in the works of Shakespeare, but unwilling to read the old English writing.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This publisher has issued many books for children that are based on the classics. This is an entry in their series of Shakespeare’s plays. The story of Othello is retold in modern, easy to follow prose. There are also short chapters and illustrations which make reading this a good introduction for kids. Hopefully, they will grow up to read the originals!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Arcturus' series of abridged Sherlock Holmes stories for young readers, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Arcturus have launched a series of abridged Shakespeare tales as well. While Charles and Mary Lamb's classic adaptations will always be my number one choice for introducing young readers to the Bard, I will definitely recommend this new series as well!

This is a good re-telling of Othello, one of Shakespeare's darkest tragedies. Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator, has secretly eloped with Othello, a famous foreign general. The newlywed couple are very much in love, despite Desdemona's father's initial antagonism towards Othello. But not everyone is happy...Roderigo wants Desdemona for himself and Iago, a soldier in Othello's army, is jealous of lieutenant Cassio, believing that Othello has unfairly promoted Cassio to lieutenant instead of Iago. Iago's jealousy gets the better of him as he puts into motion a wicked scheme to dispose of Cassio and disgrace Othello. Through blatant lies and insinuations, and with the help of the desperate Roderigo, Iago plants suspicions in Othello's mind about Desdemona's fidelity: Desdemona has secretly taken Cassio as her lover, claims Iago, and she has even given Cassio the handkerchief which was a gift to her from Othello! Will Othello be able to see through Iago's cruel machinations? Or will he swallow the bait fabricated by Iago and turn against his innocent wife? Young readers will be hooked by the scenes of intrigue unfolding one after, and I hope this series will spark children's interest in the wonderful world of Shakespearean drama!

Shakespeare's Tales: Othello
by Samantha Newman, Ceej Rowland

I really enjoy these types of novels. an easy adaption of the classic Shakespeare play, it makes Shakespeare accessible to all.

I read Othello for my A levels but that was a long time ago and it was a joy to re-read it in this format.

Othello is a general in the army, he sneaks off and marries Desdemona on the quiet.. but soon Othello’s enemies are circling him and they are whispering untruths in his ear about his dear Desdemona that lead to a tragic end.

This is a really good adaptation, that anyone can read and understand, it’s all about betrayal and truth and lies.. it is well written and easy to read.

This adaption is faithful to the original play and tells the story in a way that we can all enjoy.
#shakespeare #Othello #Netgalley #adaption

There are two kinds of Shakespeare stories: the ones that end happily and with triumph and the tragedies. And this one is a tragedy. It’s a sorry tale, and one where the misfortunes and misunderstandings don’t quite align, ending in mistake and sorrow. Many that know Shakespeare know which of his stories end in sadness so as long as any parents reading this or giving these stories to their children are aware, it’s all good and expectations will be sent off right.

The author really does an amazing job at adapting these stories and tackling difficult concepts and subjects. There is a well written warning at the beginning of the books to explain not all in Shakespeare is roses and I think that’s so important for younger readers. It truly is brilliant !

Now saying all of that, I loved the story of Othello. This well respected general who takes Desdemona for his wife. A jealous Iago who has long festered a dislike for Cassio, Othello’s right hand man, takes it upon himself to cast lies and turn the tide of favour to himself. He frames, tricks and casts doubt until tragedy reigns and all ends from there. It was entertaining and well tackled, keeping all the original elements of the story and pairing it with some fab illustrations. Brilliantly done!

A fabulous way for kids to get the tales from Shakespeare without having to read the plays and understand the old English language. Also great for any ages