William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Last year I read the first book in this series “William Shakespeare’s Verily, A New Hope”. It was a wonderful and fun read and I already knew I just had to get the rest of the series. I already own the original trilogy now and can’t wait to dig into the rest soon! But first, let’s take a look at The Empire Striketh Back! My favourite entry in the series when it comes to the movies, so does it hold up in this version?

Han: “I tell thee, droid: assail me not with odds!”

Since the Shakespearean language is often very “Yoda-like” I was curious how exactly Ian Doescher would portray the little green bastard in this book. I was kind of hoping that among all the other characters Yoda would speak like a normal person, but instead Doescher chose to let Yoda speak in haikus. I was kind of hoping something else, but still the parts with Yoda were wonderfully done!

One of the main reasons I love The Empire Strikes Back so much is that it doesn’t have a happy ending. Luke finds out Darth Vader is his father (and becomes quite unhanded to boot!), Han ends up as a Popsicle, and the rebel’s cause seems in big trouble. What’s not to love?

Leia: “O, I do love thee wholly, Han.”
Han: “I know.”

The epic start with the battle of Hoth and the walkers is done greatly too, with the walkers even having dialogue, I couldn’t help but laugh when I read through the battle. It was done remarkably!

AT-AT 1:
“My friends, we have had quite enough of talk;
The battle is upon us, let us go.
And ye who doubt, I pray remember this:
Although we are but AT-ATs gray and plain,
We have a noble task to undertake—
Our might Emperor’s reign to protect,
The great Darth Vader to obey and aid,
And Admiral Piett to serve with pride.
So shall an AT-AT swoon before the fight,
Or should our legs be shaken ere th’assault?
Have we been made to cower? I say nay!
An AT-AT should be made of sterner stuff.”

The illustrations in the book are lovely too. They really tie the script together and offer wonderful alternate art versions of the movie stills in Shakespearean style, like the images on the covers of the books.

I really had a good time reading this adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back and I can’t wait to continue my Shakespearean journey with each of the other episodes!

Vader: “No, I am thy father!”
Luke: “Nay, ’tis not true! It is impossible!”
Vader: “Pray, search thy feeling, Luke. Thou knowest it is true.”
Luke: “Nay!”

Final score:

Cover art: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Paper smell: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Print/lettering: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Originality: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Happy reading!

-Jeffrey

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