I have two “grand” Shakespeare Editions both presented to me by my mother – Diane Wyles – 25-years apart! The first was in 1992 – purchased from a local WH Smiths in a place called ‘Tiverton’ in East Devon (I believe during the time that my Irish grandmother – Gladys Kilmurray – was very ill and when her British daughter and American grandchildren were visiting the UK from Seattle, US) – whilst the second was acquired from The Works in Torquay High Street in 2007 (five-years after my family had uprooted and migrated to the South Coast). Both are superb editions with the first being easy to carry around whilst the latter is a very large, impressive and “Grand” Limited Library Edition – designed as a “Reference” copy only NOT to be borrowed or moved about (it is far too heavy for that)! The first is compact – whilst the second is lavishly illustrated and easy to read.
I am a working-class person from a working-class family who learned (through the auspices of British ‘Socialism’) how to “read” and “write”! We used to live in the slums of Leicester and the East End of London – But Hitler’s bombs during WWII drove use to Oxford – and that is the only reason I happened to be born in that greatest and most beautiful of cities! Although I spent some of my childhood there – I mostly festered in the post-industrial (and inbred) nightmare of a Devonshire town. It was only when my schooling was moved to City of Exeter (which has a special place in my heart) that I learned how to read and write – and take care of myself. British Socialism saved me from destruction and has helped my family survive – and we are not alone. Shakespeare does NOT belong to the bourgeoisie who currently monopolise his reputation and interpretation. Karl Marx wrote very highly of him – and as I am able to read, write and “think” – I to think highly of this unusual Englishman!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 