Shakespeare Simply Retold – Romeo and Juliet
About this audiobook
Shakespeare Simply Retold: Romeo and Juliet brings one of the world's most iconic love stories to listeners in a clear, engaging, and accessible way. Perfect for high school students and adult listeners who find Shakespeare's original language challenging, this audiobook bridges the gap between classic literature and modern understanding.
Edited and narrated by Gary MacFadden, and directed and produced by Sarah Bacaller, this retelling draws on the rich storytelling traditions of Edith Nesbit and Charles and Mary Lamb. Their adaptations have been thoughtfully woven together to create a narrative that remains faithful to the heart of Shakespeare's tragedy.
The audiobook also includes a short introduction to Shakespeare's life, giving helpful context for study or general interest.
Ideal for exam preparation, classroom use, or independent learning, this version helps listeners follow the story, understand the characters, and build confidence with Shakespeare.
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About the author
Edith Nesbit (1858–1924) lived in England and had dreamed of becoming a poet since she was fifteen years old. After her husband fell ill, it was up to her to support her small family. For the next nineteen years, she wrote novels, essays, articles, poems, and short stories; but it was not until 1899, when The Story of the Treasure Seekers was published, that she achieved great success. Her groundbreaking style of depicting realistic, believable children quickly gained a popularity that has lasted for more than a century.
Siblings Charles and Mary Lamb were luminaries of early nineteenth-century literary life and key figures in the Romantic movement. Their well-known Tales from Shakespeare, first published in 1807 and never out of print, was written to encourage the poetic impulse in children and prepare them to enjoy the actual plays later in life.
Charles Lamb is the author of the AL:ICE series of science fiction novels. He was raised in the Southwest, survived a tour of duty in the Pacific Northwest, and now resides in Florida with his wife and three dogs.
Gary MacFadden is a voice talent based in western Montana, USA. He works in commercial, e-learning and explainer videos. He has also narrated and produced over 50 audiobooks.
