CUP unveils ‘major’ new book on what Shakespeare was like by scholar Wells

Cambridge University Press (CUP) has signed a new book by award-winning Shakespeare writer and scholar Sir Stanley Wells, honorary president of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and general editor of the Oxford and Penguin editions of Shakespeare. 

Emily Hockley, senior commissioning editor in literature, theatre, and performance, acquired world print and digital rights to What Was Shakespeare Really Like? directly from the author. It will be published in September 2023 with a foreword by Stephen Fry.

Arising from a lifetime of studying, teaching and writing about Shakespeare and his works, the book presents Wells’ unique, provocative and authoritative views about Shakespeare, the publisher says.

The synopsis adds:“It considers how did Shakespeare think and feel? What motivated him? What made him laugh? What were his attitudes to sex and love? What were his religious beliefs? How revealing are the works themselves about Shakespeare’s personal attitudes to life? How valid is it to read Shakespeare’s own sonnets for insights into his character?”

A final chapter in the book reflects on Wells’ Eight Decades Living with Shakespeare and CUP says the book is also intended as a celebration of the author’s "distinguished career and unparalleled contribution to Shakespeare studies".

Wells was knighted in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to Shakespeare scholarship and in the same year he was awarded the President’s Medal by the British Academy "for his lifetime service to the study, knowledge and enjoyment of William Shakespeare". In 2010 he was awarded the Sam Wanamaker Award by Shakespeare’s Globe, for “work which has increased the understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare”.

Hockley said: “We’re so thrilled to be publishing a new book by Stanley Wells. The depth and breadth of his engagement with Shakespeare’s work over many decades is unrivalled and here he provides a unique insight into the personality and turbulent human experience behind the plays and poems. It’s a refreshing, pithy and provocative read – Stanley wears his immense learning lightly and offers us unexpected answers to the title’s question.”

Writing in his foreword to the book Fry said: “It is, I think, incontestable to claim that no single person in history has done more for the study and appreciation of Shakespeare than Stanley Wells. Actors, directors, producers, lecturers, teachers, students, and all who want to know and understand more, will hug this book to them.”