4.5 stars

It was my first time reading Shakespeare's sonnets, and it was really interesting to see them incorporated in his Work! The reader gets to see Shakespeare's chronological evolution, be it theme-wise or how he includes sonnets in his plays in the beginning of his career and in the end.

I loved the analysis in the introduction, but also the little explanations for each sonnet, in case the reader doesn't understand what the poem is "really" about. There are also notes to understand the innuendos or the words used by the poet, and paraphrases at the end of the edition for each sonnet.

I copied some sonnets that spoke to my heart, and really felt moved by some of them. One of my favorites is probably sonnet 80!


So, really glad to have had the chance to read this new edition! It gives multiple keys to understand both the sonnets in themselves and their place in Shakespeare's Work!

Wow, I didn't realize how much I needed a collection of all Shakespeare's sonnets together into one collection until I got this book. Of course, he is a master of sonnets and he did a great job. I truly enjoyed the introduction and the notes that were added. The editors of this book did a fantastic job.

Wow. This edition is so full of detail and research that made the re-reading of Shakespeare's sonnets a whole new experience. There was so much included about the Bard's life and overall career in this. I will definitely try and grab a physical copy once it comes out because this is one I'd like to keep on the shelf to revisit!

I was in need for some Shakespeare Sonnets book that could have them all and thankfully found it. Now i would like to have it in as paper version to study and have it on my home library.
More than this would be asking to be updated in case of findings for Shakespeare Poetry in the future by the owners of the editors of this masterpiece (if some of you dont mind to have a Portuguese poet in the wanna read Shakespeare List)

All the stars!

Shakespeare himself gets 5 stars of course, but the glorious and detailed introduction and the careful consideration given to add even more sonnets from his work should get all the stars as well. This is a book no lovers, no dreamers, and no fans of the Bard of Avon should ever be without.

It was long book to read that definitely needed to be absorbed and pondered over. So many new angles and perspectives. Simply wonderful.

It's lovely to have all of the sonnets in one collection. I really enjoyed the introduction to this collection and the notes following each sonnet.

The introduction to the sonnets complements the intricately designed cover that appeals to the inquisitive reader who can expect to find a lot of quirky and fun facts about Shakespeare. It is a sort of retelling of the factual details about the process of sonnet writing that Shakespeare went through along with a descriptive and critical preface that serves as an introduction and commentary.

New times ask for new Shakespeare editions to answer contemporary demands. This edition certainly excels at it.
In addition to its innovative mission of compiling all sonnets (not only the ones in the 1609 compilation but also the ones in the plays) in the order in which they were written, this edition is very aware of the modern interest in and debate about homoeroticism in Shakespeare works.
The theoretical introduction which occupies about 20% of the book, which might seem much, but I even I who am easily tired by paratexts found myself wishing it could go on and on. The editors demonstrate an academic astuteness and such a thoughtful treatment of delicate issues that the book answers many questions about the historical context and the polemics surrounding more biographic or queer takes on Shakespeare works.
This edition is not critically naïve as to impose biographical information on the literary text or as to assert that any homoeroticism means that Shakespeare was gay. Instead, it offers a short literary paraphrase (which is very helpful for non-academic readers) and some explanation for each sonnet which always discloses if the addressee was a man, a woman or indefinite. As the editors suitably point out that critics and the society are quick to overlook bisexuality, this is a solution which fits the complexity of the ensemble, allowing a multiplicity of sexual identities and a gender fluidity to be taken into consideration.
Despite the formatting issues in the kindle version which affect tables and the sonnets layout, this is as much of great starting point for Shakespeare-curious, as it is an excellent reference source for scholars, especially given that the new order of sonnets brings whole new insights to the poems.

3..5 stars. Have formatting issues.

This was good, as I enjoyed the Shakespeare’s sonnets when I first discovered them in HS. And when Patrick Stewart’ started reading them aloud when we all got quarantined.

My only issue is the format on my kindle was awful. No space between sonnets, and it’s not even listed in the table of contexts for easy reference. You should put that.

But learning about the sonnets specifically, almost almost read like a textbook. I don’t mind it, but some people might. It’s easy to think only Shakespeare wrote sonnets, or that only he wrote them in that manner.

Thank you NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for the arc of the book! This is great book to read in bites, to absorb a sooner or 3 at a time.

Just fix the format on kindle please!

Thank you ver much for the ARC.

My first experience reading Shakespeare's sonnets and I absolutely loved. Very comprehensive, informative and beautiful collection that showcases the immense amount of work from it's editors. Really enjoyed!

I think this book would be a fantastic introduction to sonnets because of the great explanation/description of the poetry form along with the beautiful examples from Shakespeare. Along with the original text of the sonnets are notes about the language and translations in modern English to help make the meanings even clearer.

This year I have been reading more poetry.  Poetry lends itself to this time when there is leisure (at least for me while I go nowhere basically) to read and reread a poem in order to "get" it.  This collection is most welcome and part of a new ambitious project for me. 

Of course everyone has heard of Shakespeare.  Dip into the many sonnets, some of which may be familiar and many of which may not.  All are worth some of your time. 


Along with the sonnets, there is a good introduction in this book which can be read in any order or dipped into.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a lovely edition! After having slogged through so many boring introductions to Shakespeare editions, this one was really great! Informative, straight-forward and very illuminating. The layout of the poems is different from many other editions but very helpful- the editors specify what number the sonnet would be in the Quarto, but also provide context on every page. The endnotes provide short summaries of the poem in simplified English, which is great for a high-school classroom, but not in a way that is intrusive or prohibitive for a higher-level Shakespeare or poetry course. This is a very well-designed edition, and I really enjoyed reading it!

This is honestly the best. Such a wonderful collection for everyone to have, the notes were so helpful as well! Excellent!

I love how this book didn't just list down Shakespeare's sonnets and bound it into a book. A lot of effort has been spent to make this the book that it is. The introduction prepares the readers for what is in store for the rest of the book and each sonnet is broken down for analysis. I can imagine any English major poring over this book, just basking in the glory that is Shakespeare's writing.

This collective edition was so very concise that I was blown away by the immense attention to detail and facts added. This was a very thorough collection that helped me see Shakespeare in a new light.

Apart from the fact that all the Sonnets are arranged ina chronological manner, the authors also compiled:
1. The introduction by the editor really helped me see Shakspeare beyond the stereotype he has been cast in after years and years of (really helpful) work by various scholars.
2. notes following each so that new readers (and even old ones, to be honest) of Shakespeare get to know more about this man behind the grandeur of his works.
3. basic know-hows about sonnets and what they are etc. It was really informative.
4. elaborate explanations for the sonnets. moreover, modern translations were also added and it was just so cool!
5. glossary was also added and it was superb because most words are not what we would use in a modern way and so it was really helpful!

I also think that the cover was just fantastic and really eye-catching with its elegance. I loved it and read it slowly over a couple of weeks. I think every English literature student, aficionado, and poetry lover should read this!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so much more thorough than I expected!

The book goes into depth about what is considered a sonnet and why each is included or others are excluded. There is also a lot of explanation of interpretations and language. The sonnets themselves don't actually begin until almost 50 pages in - there's a lot of information included!

There's also footnotes and a modern "translation" included with each sonnet as well as what piece the sonnet it from. It's really packet with information! The sonnets themselves are usually only a few lines and then there's explanations and glossary definitions.

While not entirely what I expected, but this book was interesting and gives you a lot to think about.

All the Sonnets of Shakespeare edited by Paul Edmondson and Stanley Well is a Cambridge University Press publication. Edmondson is Head of Research and Knowledge and Director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Wells is the Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. He is also the general editor of the Oxford and Penguin editions of Shakespeare.

Most people are familiar with Shakespeare's sonnets, and many have had to read or possibly recite them for an English class at some time.  What many may not know is that Shakespeare used sonnets in his plays.  Romeo and Juliet's first meeting is in the form of a sonnet. The introduction to the second act is also a sonnet.  Shakespeare used sonnets to set the feeling for a scene.  Poetry reinforces the acting.  

This edition comes with a detailed introduction that is also well cited.  The introduction explains the sonnet form and its history.  Following the introduction is a chronological presentation of the poems.  Many dates are not exact but fit together by the best records available.  The sonnet is presented in its best form (changes are listed in the appendix).  Below the sonnet is a sentence or two explaining the poem which is helpful to the reader.  What is even more helpful is the translation of words and their present connotations. "Spirit" had a very different meaning in 16th-century poetry than it does today. I also wondered if the high school student had any idea of what he or she was reciting when reading "If thy soul check there..."  These tools provide an excellent resource to better understand the poems.  If further clarification is needed there are clear prose paraphrasing of all the sonnets in the appendix.  

An excellent collection of Shakespeare's sonnets with supporting material to make all the poems clear and understandable in their original context.

Name: All the Sonnets of Shakespeare
Author: William Shakespeare, Paul Edmondson, Stanley Wells
Genre: Classics, Poetry
Review:
This book is a collection of sonnets from the works of William Shakespeare. The sonnets are arranged in a chronological order, along with some notes for the readers.
The introduction by the editor breaks all the myths about William Shakespeare's sonnets and gives us a new perspective and understanding of the sonnets.
I really liked that it has a glossary for words in the poems, which gives us a better understanding of the sonnets and saves us the trouble of googling the word for its meaning.
I am not a big fan of William Shakespeare, but I have an appreciation for his writings. The first thing that made want to read this book was the beautiful cover and its author.
This books gives the readers a new insight and appreciation for William Shakespeare. This lyrical book is amazing and much recommended for all the classic readers, poetry lovers and Shakespeare enthusiast.

For Further Reading:
The Entire Works of William Shakespeare
Sonnets of William Shakespeare
Love Sonnets of Shakespeare