Let’s Booktalk: Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner

Growing up can be tough. Graduating high school can seem like the perfect escape. But, there is no real escape when your name is Shakespeare.

“It’s hard to imagine what my parents were thinking when they decided to name me Shakespeare. They were probably drunk…”

Shakespeare is a senior in high school, and like most high school seniors he is marking off the days until graduation. “Even though we don’t graduate until the middle of June, the sense of impending freedom has begun to sweep through the ranks of the senior class.” Between his parents, who are arguing with one another or criticizing his life choices, his violent younger brother Ghandi, and navigating the social scene that is high school; Shakespeare finds escape in his writing, much like his namesake.

So, you tell me, what’s in a name?