Jillian Mandelkern

This is clearly written literary criticism that will gently challenge students and teachers of Modernist literature or fans of any of the referenced authors to pay closer attention to their reading.

Price's writing is clever and her tone accessible, but her tightly woven, erudite references may interest only the most devoted bibliophiles. Scholars who can appreciate Price's meticulous research into a narrow sliver of study will be the best audience.

This highbrow yet accessible analysis of a genre dedicated to "outrageousness" and "lowbrow ways" will appeal to history, literature, and pop culture buffs in addition to studious devotees of the domain.

Readers who are more interested in a Bill Brysonesque treatment of the bard and his "greatest hits" will take a pass on this one. Boyd's line-by-line analysis of Shakespeare's lyrical mastery and his exploration of its connections to evolutionary and psychological theories will be best appreciated by higher-level students of the field and committed Shakespeare aficionados.