The Tempest

by William Shakespeare
The Tempest cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Drama
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Format • £8.54–£12.34
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Paperback • £3.99–£11.99 Hardback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4572
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781528785631
  • Publisher: Read Books Ltd
  • Published: 2018-08-17
  • Formats: 11
  • Reviews: 3

William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' is a captivating play that delves into themes of power, revenge, and the human soul. Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, has been exiled to a remote island with his daughter Miranda. Using his magical abilities, he summons a tempest to bring his enemies to the island, setting the stage for a complex web of retribution and reconciliation. The play is renowned for its supernatural elements and profound exploration of the human condition. Shakespeare's masterful storytelling and rich language make this a timeless classic that continues to intrigue and inspire readers and theatergoers alike. The edition features a specially commissioned new biography of Shakespeare, adding depth to the understanding of the playwright's life and work.

Reviews
Medium · Cyrine Zaibi · 2025-10-21
profound 3.75

The play is an easy read with complex characters and profound themes. It reflects postcolonial contexts and offers a deep exploration of human nature.

Cyrine Zaibi found The Tempest to be an easy yet profound read, with complex characters that add layers to the story. The play's themes, particularly those related to postcolonialism, were highlighted as significant and thought-provoking. The exploration of power dynamics and human nature was particularly noted as a strong point. The balance between simplicity and depth made the play an engaging and enriching experience.

Quick quotes

    Such an easy read, complex characters and an interesting play, yet profound.

    Reflecting upon the context of postcolonial.

    In Shakespearean fashion, the characters are multifaceted and their interactions are intricate.

The Scientific Detective · 2020-07-02
magical 4.25

The play is almost magical, focusing on themes of procession, recovery, and change. The supernatural elements add a unique layer to the story.

The reviewer described The Tempest as almost magical, with a focus on themes that resonate deeply. The exploration of procession, recovery, and change was particularly noted as compelling. The supernatural elements were highlighted as adding a unique and captivating layer to the story. The play's ability to blend these elements seamlessly was praised, making it a memorable and enriching experience. The themes were found to be timeless and relevant, adding to the overall impact of the play.

Quick quotes

    It's almost, dare I say, magical.

    The focus isn't so much on the individual characters so much as themes.

    Themes of procession, recovery, change.

Greenish Bookshelf · 2019-02-21
nostalgic 4.00

The play brought back nostalgic feelings of school days and offered a refreshing change from typical novels. The language and themes were engaging and thought-provoking.

Reading The Tempest felt like stepping back into a classroom, which was a nostalgic and enjoyable experience. The play's intricate language and profound themes provided a welcome break from the usual genres I read. The exploration of power, forgiveness, and the supernatural was particularly captivating, making it a rewarding read. The characters and their interactions added depth to the story, making it a memorable experience.

Quick quotes

    Overall, it was fun to feel like I was back in school reading Shakespeare again.

    I enjoyed the change of genre from my usual novels.

    The Tempest offers a rich tapestry of themes that are both timeless and relevant.

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