In 1949 Hubert Phillips, puzzle maker and writer on indoor games, who I have blogged about before, published with the illustrator Pearl Falconer this handsome volume intended to be the first in a series about different writers.
This is a handsomely produced volume produced by The Cornleaf Press and poses an interesting question. Hubert Phillips tells us, with his mathematical and problem solving brain, is keen to tell us that the samples he offers us represent a three per cent sample of Shakespeare’s works. His intention is a book for readers not students to demonstrate ‘the range and the depth of Shakespeare’s poetic genius.’ For Phillips, this genius is most easily captured from the tragedies rather than elsewhere.
So which plays are in? Phillips first choice is ‘Richard II’, choosing three short pieces. He goes on to choose pieces from ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘The Tempest,’ ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ ‘Macbeth’ ‘Othello’, ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ and ‘Hamlet.’
Falconer’s pictures are a delight.
One hundred or so pages, eight wonderful pictures this small book captures much of the resonant beauty and drama of Shakespeare. A considerable achievement.
The Solitary Reader 