I've always wanted to read The Comedy of Errors, but Shakespeare is super hard for me to get through. I thought this edition was the perfect bite size, easy to read version. The illustrations were super cute and I think this book and the others in the series is a great way to get young people excited about some guy that lived over 400 years ago and the stories he wrote!

Another great Shakespeare retelling with wonderful illustrations at key points!

I think this is my favourite so far even if it was slightly frustrating and had me yelling at the page! I love the way the essence of the play is kept despite the simplified language to make it easier to understand and I think it’s going to make Shakespeare fun for quite a lot of kids!

Great simplified version of the classic play. Really useful for my English class.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

I really enjoyed Arcturus' series of abridged Sherlock Holmes stories for young readers, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Arcturus have launched a series of abridges Shakespeare tales as well. While Charles and Mary Lamb's classic adaptations will always be my number one choice for introducing young readers to the Bard, I will definitely recommend this new series as well!

This is a very nice re-telling of The Comedy of Errors, one of Shakespeare's most underrated comedies in my opinion. Twin brothers, both named Antipholus, were separated shortly after birth, along with twin brothers both named Dromio, who are servants to their Antipholus masters. One Antipholus and Dromio pair lives in Syracuse, and the other in Ephesus. When Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse arrive in Ephesus, all hell breaks loose with two pairs of identical twins in the same city. Initially, the newcomers from Syracuse are taken aback at how everyone seems to already know their names in Ephesus. But then each Antipholus mistakes his the wrong Dromio for his own, and utter confusion and chaos reign. To add to the hilarious mess, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus brings her husband's identical twin brother home and locks out her real husband, much to his horror. (Poor Dromio of Syracuse is also mistaken for his own twin, and claimed by the kitchen maid as her husband!) Matters get worse when Antipholus of Ephesus is arrested for refusing to pay for a gold chain which he never received, as it was actually given to his identical twin. The stakes are raised by the existence of a draconian law dictating that anyone from Syracuse who is found in Ephesus must be put to death, due to the longstanding hostility between the two cities. Will the poor Antipholi and Dromios be able to sort out this terrible mess of mixed-up identities and safely re-unite with their long-lost twin brothers? Young readers will enjoy the superb comic scenes unfolding one after another, and I hope this series will spark children's interest in the wonderful world of Shakespearean drama!

Nice little retelling of The Comedy of Errors for kids, full of quirky black and white illustrations. The lighthearted plot involves not one, but two sets of long-lost identical twins who coincidentally happen to end up in the same city and are constantly being mistaken for one other.

Havoc and hilarious double mix-ups naturally ensue, with comedic results such as accusations of marital infidelity and arrest for apparent refusal to pay for an expensive piece of jewelry that has already been delivered. In the end, all confusion is cleared up and a joyous family reunion occurs. This simple yet powerful story will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC!

This was such a fantastic read. The characters were perfect and I could not put it down. I love everything Shakespeare.

My thanks to Arcturus Publishing for a digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Shakespeare's Tales: The Comedy of Errors’. It has been retold by Samantha Newman and illustrated by Ceej Rowland.

This is part of a series of Shakespeare’s plays retold and adapted for younger readers aged 7+.

The story involves two sets of long-lost twins encountering each other in the same town on the same day. This results in all kinds of mix-ups.

The theme of mistaken identities is a staple of Shakespeare’s comedies. I have a shocking confession - that although I know many of Shakespeare’s plays, this was my first encounter with ‘The Comedy of Errors’.

As a result even though this book is intended for children, I found it an accessible introduction to the text that has encouraged me to seek out the complete play.

I was pleased to see that the publishers prefaced the story with a note to parents advising that while they have been sensitive to the fact that Shakespeare often incorporated difficult themes and have adapted the plays with a younger readership in mind, that children might be encouraged to read the stories aloud with a trusted adult, who can then address any concerns brought up by the narrative.

Overall, a lively retelling of this classic tale, accompanied by charming illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

Aside from recommending this book and series to friends with children and grandchildren, I am interested in seeking out other books in the series for myself.

Sam Newman retells Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” for young readers, with illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

Egeon and Emilia give birth to twin boys at the same time as their neighbor also births identical twins. But when the neighbors decide they are too poor to care for twin babies, Egeon and Emilia offer to take them and raise them. However, when they are caught in a terrible storm at sea, the two are separated, each carrying two babies.

Eighteen years later, Egeon travels with his son Antipholos and servant Dromio to search for the rest of his missing family, entering dangerous enemy territory. What follows is an incredible series of unfortunate events — a comedy of errors — that leads to mistaken identity, petty behavior, revenge and eventually reconciliation.

Told in five short acts, the author does a good job of retelling a classic Shakespeare tale in a way readers of all ages will understand and enjoy.

The publisher does include a note indicating Shakespeare’s works can contain mature themes so adults should read these stories with their children.

Five stars out of five.

Arcturus Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

A good rendition of the text with excellent footnotes that actually appear at the foot of each page. So it is easy to interpret the text through the notes and commentary as you read. A comprehensive introduction relating technical, critical and historical aspects of the play is great for students. The text is clear and of a reasonable size and the narrow cover format makes it easy for even small hands to hold. So overall a great version for either study or performance.
(Thanks to Net Galley for this Book).

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

OK, this was just the funniest and most chaotic ever. Two twins, split due to an accident at sea (with each set getting the same name), what happens when both are at the same place in the same time but don't know each other? Chaos. Sweet sweet chaos and I was just laughing my butt off. Of course no one cares to listen to the guys, everyone thinks they are just rambling mad (or in case of the boys thinking everyone is stark mad). I loved seeing the guys try to figure it out, but getting really frustrating. The ending was fab. I really loved the way this was written and the illustrations were great. I think this will be come a hit with everyone. Not just kids, but adults as well. Shakespeare isn't the easiest to get through at times, and this one makes it fun.

I’ve always loved this tale from Shakespeare and it makes for really entertaining reading. It truly is a comedy of errors as the mix ups of a double pair of twins cause havoc around the city and bounce from one unfortunate error to another!

It’s one of Shakespeare’s greats and it’s such a wonderful idea to adapt it for younger audiences and make them not accessible for little readers. Shakespeare is rapidly falling out of view for younger generations and introducing these into the bookshelves of younger children is a great idea. It was great fun to read!

They contain some fab illustrations, keep the bones of the original tale whilst being amusing and funny in good measure. It’s a short read and not overwhelming so a wonderful introduction to this famous playwright.