February 2024

  

Today the sun is shining in my little part of the world on this frosty February morning so I do not have a February face…full of frost and storm and cloudiness. I hope there is sun in your part of the world. But still our thoughts go to 

the Ukrainians, to Gaza. One day, I hope to be able to quote something about peace, but again, sadly, I repeat what I have repeated for far too long:

‘O war! thou son of hell’ O Putin! O Netanyahu! Thou sons of hell! Our thoughts and support are still needed to the people of Ukraine, and the people of Russian who hate this war, and now the people of Gaza, and the people of Israel who hate the war. Protest in any way you can! And don’t give up hope. ‘True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.’

In this time of turmoil and hope I give you this familiar promo for the book Shakespeare calling – the book. Indie authors like me always need support, even now when book signings and lectures can again be scheduled. Only on the Internet can I reach people like you, who are interested in Shakespeare would like to support the Shakespeare Calling project. I do so hope you will help me by ordering the book online. Any sales I make of this book will go directly to Doctors without Borders for their work in Ukraine and Gaza as long as the war lasts. Just let me know and I’ll send the money forthwith. You can also order directly from me. Just write me an email. Thank you.

Anyone from Ukraine – send me an email and I will send you the book free of charge. Anyone from Palestine – send me an email and I will send you the book free of charge. I am also sending contributions to Doctors without Borders and other organisations who are helping the Ukraine and Gaza.

The book is available for those of you in Great Britain and parts of Europe on this site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/9163782626/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1514378301&sr=8-1

 Also available on http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Calling-book-Ruby-Jand/dp/9163782626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436073737&sr=1-1&keywords=Ruby+Jand+shakespeare+calling

Or in Sweden

http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789163782626/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

or Adlibris. Or contact the publisher info@vulkan.se

 I would be thrilled to get an email from you if you bought the book. rubyjandshakespearecalling@gmail.com

 Shakespeare sightings:

• The novel The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich, a character’s grandmother had been brought from her tribal reservation to the Carlisle school for Indian children and been taught, among other literature, Shakespeare.
• In the novel Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland, each chapter for the character Jane is headed by a quote from Shakespeare.
• Romateatern on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea is not producing a Shakespeare play this summer and they might never again because the board of directors has resigned. No reason given, on the Culture News, anyway.
• In the novel The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds, the funeral director Mr Ray, tells about the funeral of an actor who arranged for his actor friends to attend the funeral as characters he had played, including an unnamed Shakespeare character.
• In the novel Drifters by Kevin Emerson, one of the main characters is a high school actor and spends a week at a summer Shakespeare camp. 

Films with a Shakespeare connection seen this month - see reviews on https://rubyjandsfilmblog.blogspot.com/ 

• Only God Forgives - Kristin Scott Thomas is in Richard III.  
• I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Stanley Tucci is in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
• The Father - Anthony Hopkins is in Titus and A Midsummer Night’s Dream Re-Told. Rufus Sewell is in The Taming of the Shrew Re-Told.
• Carolina - Julia Stiles in is 10 Things I Hate about You, O, and Hamlet. Alessandro Nivola is in Love’s Labour’s Lost.
• Martian Child - Sophie Okonedo is in The Hollow Crown. 
• Saving Grace - Brenda Belthyn is in Henry Vi Part One, King Lear. Martin Clunes is in Shakespeare in Love. Phyllida Law is in Much Ado about Nothing, The Life and Death of King John.
• The Incredible Hulk - Tim Roth is in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
• Devil’s Playground - Jaime Murray is in The Taming of the Shrew Re-Told. 

 

Further since last time:

• Progressing: rehearsals and costumes for our local theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (En midsommarnattsdröm).

 Posted this month:

• This report

 Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/