Sky Gilbert

Shakespeare Beyond Science by Sky Gilbert is an engaging and deeper than expected look at Shakespeare's use of language as rhetoric, in the ancient meaning.

While the identity passages are certainly interesting (and physically impossible) they serve more to highlight the divide between the "old" use of language and the "new." The framing as a possible answer to Shakespeare's identity serves to make the reader pay close attention, which means we also gain a better understanding of the way language was changing.

The rest of the book is enlightening and well argued. I don't think a reader must necessarily agree or disagree, it is enough, at least at first reading, to take in the information and actively engage with the ideas. There is plenty of time to agree or disagree after one has worked to understand Gilbert's arguments. Otherwise, what exactly are you agreeing to or disagreeing with? A part of the argument?

While at times a bit dense the writing is quite approachable and rewards taking whatever time you need to deal with the dense areas. Whether you're into Shakespeare or into language and thought more generally this book offers a lot to ponder and wrestle with. Definitely recommended.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mais)

A fictitious memoir of a narcissistic and antisocial writer who is a control freak and, as a result, is pitifully lonely. (There is my psychiatric diagnosis, to add to a common theme in Brother Dumb) ; ) Although sometimes funny, if not caustically so, this recluse becomes loathsome through his self-righteousness and consistent contradictions. This 'unknown celebrity' (Salinger??) who is a “hopeless romantic … who hates people,” appears to us as a human oxymoron. I am intrigued by Sky Gilbert and will look up more of his work.

www.booksnakereviews.blogspot.com… (mais)

A fictitious memoir of a narcissistic and antisocial writer who is a control freak and, as a result, is pitifully lonely. (There is my psychiatric diagnosis, to add to a common theme in Brother Dumb) ; ) Although sometimes funny, if not caustically so, this recluse becomes loathsome through his self-righteousness and consistent contradictions. This 'unknown celebrity' (Salinger??) who is a “hopeless romantic … who hates people,” appears to us as a human oxymoron. I am intrigued by Sky Gilbert and will look up more of his work.

Check out more of my reviews at BookSnakeReviews… (mais)