Shakespeare by Ian Doescher
The galaxy far, far away — reimagined in the timeless verse of the Bard. Iambic pentameter meets lightsabers, droids, and the Force in this acclaimed literary mash-up series.
- Faithful to both the Star Wars saga and Elizabethan dramatic form
- Rich illustrations and theatrical stage directions throughout
- Perfect for fans of literature, sci-fi, and inspired storytelling
Explore Shakespeare by Ian Doescher
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope
The original Episode IV retold in authentic Shakespearean verse — complete with soliloquies, choruses, and the drama of the original trilogy brought to life on the page like a stage play of old.
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William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: The Empire Striketh Back
The saga continues in verse. Darth Vader’s revelations, the ice planet Hoth, and the swamps of Dagobah — all rendered in the cadence of iambic pentameter with wit, depth, and theatrical flair.
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Each volume of the William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series is structured as a five-act Elizabethan play, mirroring the dramatic conventions of the Globe Theatre era while honoring every plot beat of George Lucas’s original films. Ian Doescher weaves authentic Early Modern English — thee, thou, dost, hath — into dialogue that feels both period-correct and playfully modern.
Stage directions guide the reader through iconic scenes: the twin-sun sunset on Tatooine becomes a moment of lyrical soliloquy; R2-D2, speechless in the films, is granted an inner voice in verse; and Darth Vader’s menace is amplified through the formal gravity of iambic pentameter. Original woodcut-style illustrations throughout each volume evoke the look of historical First Folios while depicting stormtroopers, the Millennium Falcon, and the Death Star.
Whether read aloud, performed among friends, or enjoyed quietly on the page, these books reward both literary appreciation and Star Wars fandom in equal measure.
How to Read This Book
Use this five-step guide to review Shakespeare by Ian Doescher and make an informed choice from the available product information.
- 01
Choose Your Volume
Start with Verily, A New Hope if you are new to the series — it introduces Doescher’s style with the most familiar story. If you are already deep in the Star Wars lore, any volume stands alone beautifully. The prequel volumes reward those who appreciate tragedy and dramatic irony.
- 02
Set the Scene
Before you open the first act, revisit the film it adapts — even briefly. Recognizing where Doescher diverges from, and where he faithfully echoes, the source material makes the literary craft even more satisfying and rewarding to follow.
- 03
Read Aloud in Verse
These books are written to be heard as well as read. Try reading key speeches aloud — especially the soliloquies of Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader. The iambic pentameter rhythm becomes natural quickly and deepens the emotional resonance of every scene.
- 04
Explore the Footnotes
Doescher’s footnotes and stage directions are half the delight. They reveal where he drew from authentic Shakespeare texts, explain choices of verse structure, and occasionally wink at the reader with gentle humor. Do not skip them — they are part of the experience.
- 05
Continue the Saga
Once you finish the first volume, the next comes naturally. Collect the full trilogy, then venture into the prequel volumes. The William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series rewards readers who follow the complete arc — watching Doescher’s craft deepen with each successive book.
Shakespeare by Ian Doescher — Reader Reviews
A Genuine Literary Achievement
Doescher does not simply swap Star Wars dialogue into old-fashioned language. He constructs authentic five-act dramatic structure, assigns proper soliloquies, and gives each character a consistent poetic voice. R2-D2’s inner monologue alone is worth the price of the book.
— Verified Reader, Star Wars & Literature Fan
Perfect for Reading Groups and Classrooms
We used Verily, A New Hope in a high school English class alongside A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Students who had never connected with Shakespeare were suddenly engaged — the familiar story gave them an entry point into the verse form they might never have found otherwise.
— Educator & Book Club Organizer
A Gift That Gets Passed Around
Bought this for a friend who loves both Shakespeare and Star Wars — she read it in two sittings and immediately ordered the next volume. The illustrations in the Elizabethan woodcut style are gorgeous, and the whole package feels like a genuinely special object on the shelf.
— Gift Buyer & Series Collector
See Shakespeare by Ian Doescher in Action
Watch Ian Doescher discuss the inspiration behind the William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series and read passages aloud in full Elizabethan verse.
About the Author — Ian Doescher
Ian Doescher is the author of the William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series and the Pop Shakespeare series. A Portland, Oregon writer with a deep love of both classic theater and modern pop culture, Doescher has created one of the most distinctive literary mash-up series of the past decade.
His work demonstrates that the dramatic conventions of the Elizabethan stage — soliloquy, aside, chorus, five-act structure — map surprisingly well onto the epic storytelling of George Lucas’s galaxy far, far away. The result is books that delight Shakespeare scholars and Star Wars devotees in equal measure, and that have introduced a new generation of readers to the pleasures of verse drama.
Doescher lives in Portland with his spouse and two sons, and continues to expand both the Star Wars and Pop Shakespeare series. His books are available individually and as collected sets.
Visit Official StoreFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Shakespeare to enjoy these books?
Not at all. Doescher’s verse is accessible to readers with no prior experience of Elizabethan English. The familiar Star Wars story provides a comfortable anchor, and readers often find that the books increase their appreciation for Shakespeare naturally over the course of reading.
Which volume should I start with?
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope is the ideal starting point. It introduces all of Doescher’s stylistic choices — the verse form, the soliloquies, the stage directions — using the most universally known chapter of the Star Wars saga.
Are all six Skywalker Saga episodes covered?
Yes. Ian Doescher has written volumes covering Episodes I through VI of the Skywalker Saga, each adapted as a standalone five-act Elizabethan play. They can be read in any order, though reading them in Episode order provides the richest experience of the overall arc.
Are these books appropriate for younger readers?
The series is well suited to middle-school age and above. Many educators use the books in English literature curricula as an engaging bridge to Shakespeare study. The content reflects the mild action and drama of the original films.
Is there an audiobook version?
Several volumes in the series have been released in audio formats, performed with theatrical voices suited to the dramatic verse. Check the store listing for the most current audio availability for each title in the collection.