The Merchant of Venice A Shakespeare Story

What do our readers think of The Merchant of Venice A Shakespeare Story? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children generally find the story exciting, easy to understand and helpful for discovering Shakespeare, with Portia and the dramatic plot standing out. Some children feel the retelling is only fairly good or less memorable than other Shakespeare stories.

What does the Pageticker team say about The Merchant of Venice A Shakespeare Story?

Andrew Matthews makes Shakespeare surprisingly easy to enjoy, turning a tricky plot about friendship, money and justice into a brisk, accessible story. Tony Ross’s lively illustrations add plenty of energy, while the pound-of-flesh bargain gives the book a suitably dramatic bite.

Genres

What is The Merchant of Venice A Shakespeare Story about?

In Venice, merchant Antonio borrows money from Shylock to help his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy Portia. If Antonio fails to repay, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh. When Antonio's ships are lost at sea, he faces this grim penalty. This retelling of Shakespeare's classic tale explores themes of friendship, justice, and mercy, brought to life with accessible language and engaging illustrations.

About the author

Andrew Matthews is a popular author and illustrator from the UK, well known for retelling classic stories like 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth' in a fun and easy way for children. He enjoys making reading exciting and accessible for everyone. Andrew’s books help young readers enjoy famous tales from history and literature.

Discussion ideas around The Merchant of Venice A Shakespeare Story

True friendship: How far should Antonio go to help Bassanio, and what makes a friendship fair or unfair?

Justice and mercy: What do the characters think is just, and when might showing mercy be the better choice?

Portia’s cleverness: How does Portia use her intelligence to influence what happens, and do you think she is treated fairly?

Promises and risks: Why do characters make dangerous promises, and what can happen when people agree to something without thinking it through?

Prejudice: How do the characters treat Shylock, and what can this story teach us about judging people because of their religion or background?