• Podcast
    • Podcast Episodes
  • CWK LIVE
  • News
    • Conventions & Events
      • Star Wars Celebration
      • Galaxy’s Edge & The Disney Theme Parks
    • CWK Show News
    • Disney+
    • Star Wars Animation
    • Star Wars Films
    • Star Wars Publishing
    • Star Wars Toys & Collectibles
  • Reviews
    • Book Reviews
      • Audiobook Reviews
      • Comic Book Reviews
    • Film Reviews
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Television & Streaming Reviews
      • Disney+
      • Star Wars Rebels Talking Points
      • Coffee and The Clone Wars
    • Theme Park Events & Experiences
    • Toys & Collectibles Reviews
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Shop
  • Join The CWK Alliance
  • Dan Z Media.com
  • About Dan Zehr & CWK
Coffee With Kenobi
Coffee With Kenobi
  • Podcast
    • Podcast Episodes
  • CWK LIVE
  • News
    • Conventions & Events
      • Star Wars Celebration
      • Galaxy’s Edge & The Disney Theme Parks
    • CWK Show News
    • Disney+
    • Star Wars Animation
    • Star Wars Films
    • Star Wars Publishing
    • Star Wars Toys & Collectibles
  • Reviews
    • Book Reviews
      The Fallen Star By Claudia Gray Book Review

      The Fallen Star By Claudia Gray Book Review

      Review: "Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage" by Justina Ireland

      Review: "Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage" by Justina Ireland

      Review: "Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi" by Charles Soule

      Review: "Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi" by Charles Soule

      Star Wars The High Republic Review

      Star Wars The High Republic Review

      • Audiobook Reviews
      • Comic Book Reviews
    • Film Reviews
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Television & Streaming Reviews
      • Disney+
      • Star Wars Rebels Talking Points
      • Coffee and The Clone Wars
    • Theme Park Events & Experiences
    • Toys & Collectibles Reviews
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Shop
  • Join The CWK Alliance
  • Dan Z Media.com
  • About Dan Zehr & CWK
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Pinterest
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
William Shakespeare’s The Merry Rise of Skywalker Book Review
Home
Book Reviews

William Shakespeare’s The Merry Rise of Skywalker Book Review

July 28th, 2020 Coffee With Kenobi Book Reviews, Star Wars Reviews 0 comments

The final entry in Ian Doescher’s William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series, The Merry Rise of Skywalker, is released today and is the final chapter of Doescher’s take on the Skywalker saga. Like the previous eight iterations of the New York Time’s Best Selling author’s interpretation of Star Wars, the book converts Star Wars into Shakesperian iambic pentameter. Not an English major? No problem! Ian has you covered, with the right amount of complexity and accessibility that his award-winning books are known for.

The secret recipe to Ian Doescher’s success lies in his attention to detail. For instance, almost every line in The Merry Rise of Skywalker is ten-syllables long. Think about that for a moment: Doescher is re-writing The Rise of Skywalker in Shakesperian style, staying true to the spirit and essence of these beloved characters, and keeps the lines to ten-syllables long. It truly is staggering.

He also incorporates several stylistic choices to engage and entertain the most nuanced of literary critics. For instance, every moment of dialogue from the Resistance’s best pilot, Poe Dameron, incorporates prose or poetry from the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Whether you have read the complete works of Poe, read “The Tell-Tale Heart” in high school, or know what a raven is, Doescher is ready to entertain, enlighten, and have you smiling.

And the best part is, you do not need to be a fan of Shakespeare or his style to enjoy The Merry Rise of Skywalker. Because for Doescher, it is all about the characters. What Shakespeare did better than anyone was to bring the audience along as we would walk in the footsteps of these larger than life icons of the stage. And in Doescher’s hands, the same is true of his take on The Rise of Skywalker. He interprets the grunts and growls of Chewbacca, gives insightful internal monologues from Rey, General Leia, and perhaps most importantly, Ben Solo after his turn to the Light. To be honest, it’s needed, and give more depth to these characters in Episode IX.

The Merry Rise of Skywalker is a brilliant look into the soul of these iconic Star Wars characters, providing more nuance, dept, and context for the narrative of the last chapter in the Skywalker saga. It’s beautifully well-written, humorous, and is an insightful critic of the mythology we know and love. While I am disappointed we will not get more of Doescher’s take on the Star Wars saga, The Merry Rise of Skywalker is the perfect capstone to the work of this modern-day literary genius. I could not recommend this more highly.

5 out of 5

Purchase your copy of The Merry Rise of Skywalker here

Note: A big thank you to Quirk Books for providing an advanced copy to review.

 

Powered by Sidelines

Hello there!

Sign up to receive Coffee With Kenobi's weekly newletter for the latest podcast, video, and blog updates!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Tags
  • Book Review
  • Dan Z
  • Ian Doescher
  • quirk books
  • The Rise Of Skywalker
  • William Shakespeare's Star Wars
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Star Wars Dark Legends Book Review
Previous article Book/Audiobook Review: 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Expanded Edition by Rae Carson

Coffee With Kenobi

This is the podcast you're looking for!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Posts

Conventions

VIDEO: Coffee With Kenobi at Indiana Comic Con LIVE

Join Dan Z, Cory Clubb, and Tom Gross as they take Coffee With Kenobi on the road—with special guests—to...
Star Wars Films

The Rise of Skywalker Review

NOTE: While this is a review of The Rise of Skywalker, it does not contain any spoilers regarding plot or...
Film Reviews

The Force Awakens Review

After an, at times, almost agonizing wait for the next cinematic installment in the Star Wars saga, The...
Join The CWK Alliance & Listen to CWK Pour-Over
Join The CWK Alliance & Listen to CWK Pour-Over
Become a Patron!
Book Your Disneyland Trip with Mouse Fan Travel
Book Your Disneyland Trip with Mouse Fan Travel
Purchase Dan Zehr’s Star Wars Books
Purchase Dan Zehr’s Star Wars Books

This site is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

  • CWK’s Hall of Fame
  • Disclaimer
  • Back to top
© Dan Z Media, LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
Produced by Mip Themes