Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a collection of short stories inspired by different Shakespearean works. Some of these translations are brilliant. I highly recommend the short story of The Merchant of Venice for the classroom. It's powerful, We see from Shai (Shylock)'s view the generational trauma and daily trauma of anti-semitism that can drive a person to extreme measures. Instead of the "pound of flesh," Shai's legal contract demands that Antonio have his anti-semitic tattoo dug out if he fails to repay the loan. There's also an interesting little twist at the end. The Romeo and Juliet and MacBeth adaptations could work well in a class for a comprehension review or just so students get the gist of the story. Some like The Tempest are just fun, but don't really provide an overview of the play. A few of them unfortunately read like an incomplete fan fiction. For lovers of Shakespeare and Language Arts teachers, this is a worthwhile read.

I was super excited for this one after the Poe collection a few years ago, but this one just didn't work as well for me. I might try it again in the future, perhaps it's just not right for now.

As with most anthologies I've read, this was full of a Lot of Misses unfortunately. I don't want to review every single one, so I'm just making a few lists.

Favourites:
Taming of the Soul Mate by K. Ancrum (The Taming of the Shrew)
I Bleed by Dahlia Adler (The Merchant of Venice)
Elsinore by Patrice Caldwell (Hamlet)
Lost Girl by Melissa Bashardoust (The Winter's Tale)

I liked this but am unfamiliar with the original play:
The Tragedy of Cory Lanez: An Oral History by Tochi Onyebuchi (Coriolanus)

Honestly not a fan but fine I guess:
Severe Weather Warning by Wibbroka (The Tempest)
Shipwrecked by Mark Oshiro (Twelfth Night)
King of the Fairies by Anna-Marie McLemore (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
We Have Seen Better Days by Lily Anderson (As You Like It)
His Invention by Brittany Cavallaro (Sonnet 147)
Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow by Kiersten White (Romeo and Juliet)
Dreaming of the Dark by Lindsay Smith (Julius Caesar)
Out of the Storm by Joy McCullough (King Lear)

I am offended as a fan of this play:
Some Other Metal by A. R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy (Much Ado About Nothing)
We Fail by Samantha Mabry (Macbeth)

I’m a big fan of YA retellings and this anthology of Shakespeare retellings does not disappoint. Filled with a great selection of authors, readers will enjoy these even if they haven’t read the original material.

That Way Madness Lies is everything I wanted in a YA collection of Shakespeare adaptations and more. Would I have anticipated that Coriolanus would make for an enthralling urban thriller? Nope, but here I am, riveted. My favorite part of this collection is how distinct each story is from one another, both in genre and in tone. I would read this 100 more times, and love it each read through.

I love a Shakespeare adaptation, and Adler is very good at both writing and compiling some fantastic ones. A real dream team in terms of both the plays chosen and the authors who reimagined them.

I enjoyed these retellings, some of the original works I was not familiar with so those were harder to appreciate I think. I think it would be fun to compare retellings with movies and the original stories. I love the diversity present in the retellings, I think it makes it much more relevant for a classroom.

THAT WAY MADNESS LIES is an enthralling YA short story collection of Shakespearean retellings. With many notable authors on the docket, the book is divided into comedies, a sonnet, tragedies, and late romance. Each story has its own flavor, as per the different inspirations and the different authors. Similarly, the variety means there will be stories to suit different readers throughout.

Some of the stories really blew me away, and I would have loved to have read a full novel in their worlds. For instance, "Severe Weather Warning" inspired by The Tempest features a depth of character that I really enjoyed with a character dealing with her feelings about her sister, the boy who was her first kiss, and the tornado watch that is preventing her from taking her sister to the airport. I also really enjoyed "Elsinore," a story inspired by Hamlet with vampires. I'm a big fan of Twelfth Night, and I also appreciated the story inspired by it, "Shipwrecked," and I would totally love to read a whole book about Vi.

The book also contains excerpted texts from Shakespeare that add to the overall inspiration of each story and fun for fans of the Bard. Some short stories also include an author's note which provides additional context and was really interesting. There are dark stories, light stories, compelling stories, and plenty to enjoy throughout. I would highly recommend for fans of Shakespeare and short story collections. THAT WAY MADNESS LIES is a delightful and enthralling new collection.

A wonderful anthology for fans of Shakespeare, and also for those who have never read any of his works. Each story brings something fresh and unique to the old classics and I found it perfect for reading slumps.

I have stepped away from reading much YA, but this title is so good. Dahlia Adler's take on the Merchant of Venice is so amazing and there are many other great retellings, but...that one is just the best. I cannot recommend this enough.

That Way Madness Lies is a solid short story collection of 15 mainly contemporary Shakespeare retellings. There are multiple genres present from science fiction to fantasy to magical realism. Some have new characters or new settings, while others go directions you don't quite expect. All in all, a very fun short story collection. There are even current pop culture references thrown throughout. Highly recommended to YA readers or teachers trying to interest teens in Shakespeare!

Thoroughly enjoyable collection of Shakespeare's stories, reimagined for a modern young adult audience. The authors take the most essential elements of each tale and emphasize the timelessness of human behavior. The genres range from realistic to fantasy to science fiction and effectively include a wider range of personal identities in the character lists. Highly recommended for ages 13 and up, especially to anyone who teaches Shakespeare's plays.

A fantastic anthology of short stories inspired by Shakespeare, with a collection YA authors almost uniquely suited for the task. I expected Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka's contribution to be wonderful (and it was), just as I expected to love the stories from Joy McCullough, Melissa Bashardoust, Mark Oshiro, Patrice Caldwell, and others. I was not disappointed. Moreover, I was surprised—not just be how great these stories were, but with the ways the authors played with their takes on the originals, including the formats they chose. I love that Joy McCullough, a playwright, formatted her homage King Lear here as a play.

My greatest surprise was Kiersten White's version of Romeo and Juliet, which was told entirely through texts. I was so fascinated that I read nearly the entire thing out loud to a friend over the phone because I couldn't get over how funny and clever and tragic it was—just like the original. I'd love to see 9th grade classes read this story alongside the play.

As with many anthologies, some of these stories were less successful for me than others—in part because of the writing, in part because of my varying levels of familiarity with the original text. Overall, a super enjoyable reading experience.

I received a digital advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Short story collections are hard to rate and not usually my favorite. I am wildly impressed with authors of short stories - I feel like it's so hard to build a vibe and create character connections and reader empathy within such a small period of time. They usually fall flat for me. However, That Way Madness Lies is a brilliant way to create a short story collection that is engaging and lands. Each short story takes it's inspiration from a writing of Shakespeare, modernizing and bringing a new perspective to the well known tales. There's a wide array of styles, from oral histories to stories told only through text message to more traditional narratives. Some stories are fantasy, some magical realism, and some contemporary. I enjoyed such a showcase of writing talent and reading fresh takes on well known stories is always a winner in my book. Would recommend to those who enjoy short stories, modern retellings, and unique writing styles.

Did I like this anthology series? Yes. It wasn't as good as His Hideous Heart, at least to me. I don't know if this is the material being worked with - I'm not a massive Shakespeare fan but I like his work usually - or just the way that some stories went, but it felt like too little time spread over too many stories. The worst of this was the all-text entire retelling of Romeo & Juliet.

That Way Madness Lies turns Shakespeare on his head while still maintaining the spirit of his stories. I look forward to pairing these stories with the text of the plays when I'm working with students!

I loved this collection of short stories based on Shakespeare plays - the writing was so fun. Highly recommend for any library. It will help students and teens set Shakespeare - especially his lesser known plays - into a modern environment. Kind of like what 10 Things I Hate About You and She's the Man did.

Essentially a bunch of fanfiction AUs, this is a fun collection for Shakespeare fans who want more diversity in their modern retellings.

While the quality of the stories varies from author to author, I’m putting this at a solid 3 stars because most of the stories do depend on you being familiar with the original Shakespearean version; I found myself lost at times.

I enjoyed this anthology. I would like to say it definitely differed from story to story on how much I liked it. Some were hits, some were misses, and some were just eh. If you're a Shakespeare fan and a lover of YA, I would definitely recommend this just for fun.

Book: THAT WAY MADNESS LIES: 15 OF SHAKESPEARE’S MOST NOTABLE WORKS REIMAGINED Edited by Dahlia Adler

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Release Date: March 16, 2021
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN-13: 978-1250753861

Numbered Pages: 321
Short Stories: There are 15 Short Stories Total, 4 of Which Are Written by Authors in the Melanin in YA Database

Design: Devan Norman
Jacket Design & Hand Lettering: Jon Contino

Purchase: Bookshop I Barnes & Noble I IndieBound I Amazon
Add it to Goodreads: Here

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Synopsis:

A midnight dance in a gym. A cast party amongst the stars. An ode to a fallen rap legend.

Contemporary audiences have always craved reimaginings of William Shakespeare’s classic works. Now, today’s best writers for teens take on the Bard in these fifteen whip-smart and original retellings!

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Dedication: “For Micah, whose stories are only just beginning”
End of Book: About the Authors, About William Shakespeare, Acknowledgements

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K. Ancrum
Author: K. Ancrum
Short Story: “The Taming of the Soul Mate” – Pages 45-63
Shakespeare Work Reimagined: The Taming of the Shrew (Comedy)

Genre: Speculative
Setting: Engagement Party
Tense: Past Tense
Point of View (POV): Third Person
Themes/Subjects: Love, Soulmates, Fate, Freedom, Tradition, Independence, Identity, Social Roles & Expectations

Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):

Katherine – College Freshman

Lucentio – 17-years-old, Bianca’s Soulmate, tall, dark-gray hair (p. 49)

Sabrina – College Freshman, Katherine’s Best Friend, gray curls (p. 46)

Bianca – Katherine’s Younger Sister, Lucentio’s Soulmate, white-gray hair (p. 48)

Janet – Sabrina’s Choice of a Potential Soul Mate for Katherine

Petrucio – Lucentio’s Friend, dark and shiny hair, eyes the same hue but lighter (p. 52), curly hair (p. 56)

For Readers Who Enjoy: The One (Netflix), Black Mirror Episode 404 “Hang the DJ,” The Adjustment Bureau

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Lily Anderson
Author: Lily Anderson
Short Story: “We Have Seen Better Days” – Pages 89-109
Shakespeare Work Reimagined: As You Like It (Comedy)

Genre: Contemporary
Setting: Camp Arden
Tense: Past Tense
Point of View (POV): First Person
Themes/Subjects: Love, Secrets, Rivalry, Forgiveness

Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):

Rosalinda “Rosie” – braided pigtails (p. 96), red dyed hair (p. 98)

Dad / Duke Castillo – Camp Director, Rosie’s Father

Celia “Cece” – Rosie’s Older Cousin by 2 Years, sharp toenails (p. 90), hair in space buns (p. 91)

Orlando Cohen-Kersey (Formerly “Orly,” now “Lando”) – Rosie’s Friend, 1 year older than Rosie, Tall, light-skinned, Black, owlish glasses, dimples (p. 91), afro (p. 92),

Ollie – Orlando’s Older Brother

Mom – Rosie’s Mother

Madison Poffenberger – Camper

Tinsley Poffenberger – Camper

Rachel – Camper

Fun Fact:

There are pop culture references to PERCY JACKSON, Jordan Peele, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, and Jurassic World.

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Patrice Caldwell
Author: Patrice Caldwell
Short Story: “Elsinore” – Pages 252-274
Shakespeare Work Reimagined: Hamlet (Tragedy)

Genre: Paranormal
Setting: April 1892 English Country Estate “Elsinore”
Tense: Present
Point of View (POV): First Person
Themes/Subjects: Madness, Death, Justice, Revenge, Social Status, Politics, Deceit, Monsters

Format: Epistolary

Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):

Lady Anne – 17-years-old, The Late Duke’s Daughter

Camilla Whitbeck – Lady Anne’s Best Friend

Duchess Penny Taylor / “Mother” – Lady Anne’s Mother, Duchess of Elsinore, Black, American

Lord Andrew Taylor – Lady Anne’s Uncle Turned Stepfather, Duke of Elsinore, English

Papa – Lady Anne’s Father

Samuel “Sam” Whitbeck – Camilla’s Brother, green eyes (p. 264)

Mama – Camilla & Samuel’s Late Mother

Reginald “Reggie” – Jester

Fun Facts:

There are pop culture references to Grace van Helsing and Sherlock Holmes.

This short story is followed by an Author’s Note.

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Tochi Onyebuchi
Author: Tochi Onyebuchi
Short Story: “The Tragedy of Cory Lanez: An Oral History” – Pages 223-238
Shakespeare Work Reimagined: Coriolanus (Tragedy)

Genre: Contemporary
Setting: Long Beach, CA
Tense: Present
Point of View (POV): Told through interviews conducted by the Narrator
Themes/Subjects: Community, Fame, Reputation, Hip Hop, Politics, Class, Identity, Masculinity, Humanity, Rivalry

Triggers: Violence (Stabbing), Death, Homophobia

Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):

Cameron Marcus / Cory Lanez – 17-year-old, Rapper/Singer, Queer, Family roots in Zimbabwe (p. 231)

Terence Stevens – CitiZens Rap Group Member, Childhood Friend

Herbert McKenzie – CitiZens Rap Group Member, Childhood Friend

Menachem Adler – Cameron’s Childhood Friend, Producer, Jewish

Violet Marcus – Cameron’s Mother

Van Nathan Marcus – Cameron’s Father, member of the Black Panther Party

Titus Lawrence – Former Member of the Piru Street Bloods

Cornelius Thompson – Former Member of the Piru Street Bloods

Adrian Young – Senior VP of A&R at Volscian Records

Tyson “Aufset” Aufson – Rapper, Cameron’s Friend & Unconfirmed Love Interest

Vera Gibson – Cameron’s Partner and the Mother of Cameron’s Son

Mutasa – Cameron’s Son

Julius Brown – Former City Councilman

Silas Vale – Local Law Enforcement Community Liaison

Fun Fact:

There are pop culture references to Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Motown, N.W.A., Rick Ross, Jay Z, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, E-40, The Game, Rosa Parks, Serena Williams, ScHoolboy Q, Bryson Tiller, JID, Burna Boy, DJ Khaled