Her Infinite Variety: Stories of Shakespeare and the Women He Loved
Berkman’s first book is quite simply a celebration of the women in the world of William Shakespeare. With very little known about his life, this collection of ten short stories presents narratives from his mother and his wife, as well as some of his unforgettable characters. Taken as a whole, they illustrate how Shakespeare may have been influenced by those women he loved – and who loved him.
Traveling from Elizabethan London to Denmark and Scotland, readers will be drawn into the relationships he experienced and thrill at the enduring love shared with his wife. In a light-hearted story entitled “Magic Wand,” the wood fairy Titania flits around Shakespeare as he writes and reminds him how much he loves women and of their importance in his life. Another story, “The Scottish Wife,” gives insight into the devious and ambitious mind of Lady Macbeth. This marvelous collection reads more like a novel due to the interspersing of chronological tales with character-driven stories. With her imaginative approach, Berkman has created a charming and sensitive portrait of the women in Shakespeare’s life.
