Book excerpt: This volume includes the classic Shakespeare play Hamlet uniquely adapted within the original blank verse. The effect is language that is more accessible and maintains the beauty of classical style poetry, bringing the traditional charm and grandeur of the Renaissance into the present. Also included is an episode from the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. Published around the same time and with a plot that contains striking parallels to Hamlet, this Chinese fairytale adventure acts as a delightful key to unlocking the connections across generations and cultures. Enjoy!