The Late Mr Shakespeare

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Shakespeare comes alive through the pen of a writer hailed by Peter Ackroyd as "one of our best living novelists." This rich and wonderful work is celebrated as the most original and provocative novel about the playwright since Anthony Burgess's classic. The story is narrated by Robert Reynolds, known as Pickleherring, who claims to have been an original member of Shakespeare's acting troupe and played iconic female roles. Now, in an attic above a brothel in Restoration England, Pickleherring, an elderly man, sits down to recount the life of his friend and mentor. Despite his age, he recalls every detail and aims to set the record straight using both firsthand and imaginative sources. Readers will uncover theories surrounding Shakespeare that have emerged over the centuries: Did he write his own plays? Who was the Dark Lady of the sonnets? Did he die a Catholic? What happened during his so-called lost years? What were his last words? Was he ever in love? Each chapter reveals a blend of speculation and fact, bringing us closer to the complex and vibrant man behind the legend. Robert Nye delivers a bawdy, language-rich exploration of the life and times of the greatest writer, showcasing how alive Shakespeare truly was.