Explore Charles & Mary Lamb books at New West Press.

Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare retells selected plays in prose, offering a way into their characters and plots before a reader approaches the dramatic texts. The collection includes both tragic and comic stories, shaped by the Lambs' choices about what to explain and how to connect events. These are literary retellings rather than the plays themselves. This author collection centers on their joint volume, inviting readers to discover a story first and later compare it with Shakespeare's dialogue, scenes, and the possibilities of performance.

For readers building a classic literature library, this writing offers more than a memorable plot. Notice how dialogue, setting, and the narrator's perspective affect your understanding of each character. Questions of motive and consequence make rewarding subjects for a book club or a personal reading journal. Explore the editions below to find a starting point for your own reading.