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Ron Destro is a playwright and novelist. He received the Kennedy Center New American Play Award for his stage play HIROSHIMA, for which Yoko Ono wrote the original score, for its off-Broadway run. He and his debut novel, THE STARRE, THE MOONE, THE SUNNE, along with its audiobook narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi, were named Best New Author, Book of the Year 2nd Runner-Up, Audiobook of the Year, and Hawthorne Prize Finalist. His writing mentors include Pulitzer Prize-winner Tad Mosel, Jack Gelber, and Robert Hedley at the Univ. of Iowa’s Writers’ Program.
The Starre, the Moone, the Sunne.
The Shakespeare Authorship Question for Absolute Beginners, Lazy Louts & Knotty-Pated Knaves.
Purchasing links below.
The Starre, the Moone, the Sunne.
The Shakespeare Authorship Question
for Absolute Beginners, Lazy Louts &
The Starre, the Moone, the Sunne
Marvelously amusing,
deeply passionate,
brilliantly entertaining!
Steve Cuden, Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical
AWARDS:
WINNER
BOOK OF THE YEAR
2nd Runner-Up
Historical Fiction Co
WINNER
GOLD MEDAL
AUDIOBOOK
OF THE YEAR
Historical Fiction Co
WINNER
BEST NEW AUTHOR
Audio Book
Reviewer’s Award
WINNER
GOLD MEDAL
BEST FICTION AUDIOBOOK
Independent Publisher
Book Awards
FINALIST
HAWTHORNE PRIZE
American Wiriting Awards
FINALIST
BEST FIRST NOVEL
FINALIST
BEST HISTORICAL FICTION
Indie Book Awards
SHORTLISTED
Chanticleer
Mystery & Mayhem Awards
SHORTLISTED
Flash 500
5-STARS
Readers’ Favorite
Roll over, Harry Potter!
William Niederkorn, New York Times
In 1624 London, a brave printer is executed, a portly poet is kidnapped, a Stratford-upon-Avon grave is emptied, King James is put into a panic, many swashes are buckled, and things are never as they seem, all because brave Nicholas and clever Valentina are about to discover and reveal the true identity of “William Shake-speare.”
This is a timely tale that touches on the powerful love of fathers, the perils of the plague, the joys of turnips, and the mysterious life and tragic death of the Bard of Avon. It is a (mostly) true story filled with suspense and humor.
Available in paperback, ebook & audiobook
narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi.
Contempo Publishing.
AWARD-WINNING NOVEL.
Purchasing links below.
“A joy to read!”
Sir Derek Jacobi
“Roll over, Harry Potter!”
Wm Niederkorn, New York Times
“Marvelously amusing… deeply passionate…
brilliantly entertaining!”
Steve Cuden, Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical
Online Reviews:
On the shelves at Barnes & Noble, Daytona Beach.
Podcasts & Interviews on the book:
BOOKSTORE1 SARASOTA BOOK TALK.
HISTORY BARDS PODCAST.
SHAKESPEARE OXFORD FELLOWSHIP.
(a spoiler in this one)
SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL INTERVIEW.
The Shakespeare Authorship Question for Absolute Beginners,
Lazy Louts & Knotty-Pated Knaves
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK.
“Ron Destro is our insightful, often hilarious tour guide into the mysteries of Shakespeare’s identity. Without strain he takes us through all aspects of the so-called Authorship Question. The tour even includes a spirited dialogue between the longstanding titleholder, William Shaksper of Stratford-upon-Avon, and the leading candidate to replace him. After sailing through Destro’s pages, guided by his friendly, informative voice, it comes as a shock to realize the amount of knowledge we’ve acquired along the way.”
- Hank Whittemore, author, The Monument, 100 Reasons Shake-speare was the Earl of Oxford.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has a huge amount to say to those of an enquiring mind. The intention is put clearly, without being simple or condescending, and is something that all ages can read and enjoy. This book will inspire a new generation to examine the SAQ controversy and find the truth.”
- Richard Clifford, actor and director, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing.
“Great fun! Knowledgeable and entertaining.”
- Bob Meyers, Past President, Shakespeare Oxford Fellowship.
“Beautifully done. So clear and fascinating. It is essential reading.”
- Amanda Eliasch, poet and filmmaker, The Truth Will Out.
PRAISE FOR DESTRO’S ARGUMENT.
“I have been a friend of Ron Destro for some time, and can confirm his great gifts as a writer, director and educator. His research on this controversial subject is as extensive as his knowledge is broad.”
- Michael York, actor, Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret.
“Ron, I’ll spare you the details, but Bill [Shaksper] deeply resents your insinuations. However, carry on. It’s great to have a passion of any kind.”
- Charles Grodin, actor, The Heartbreak Kid, Midnight Run.
“I have little patience with [Shaksper doubters] and find myself maddened and bewildered by their hopeless attempts to suggest that the asuthor of the canon was anyone other than William Shakespeare of Stratford… preposterous, snobbish and bizarre.”
- Stephen Fry, maddened actor, V for Vendetta, Gosford Park.
“Extraordinary, detailed and exhilarating. I am truly enthralled by Ron’s noetic and percipient knowledge.”
- Derran Charlton, Honorary Member, Shakespeare Authorship Roundtable.
“A sheer delight. The myriad of proofs and the logic, all delivered with charm and enthusiasm… Sincere, insightful, knowledgeable and stimulating.”
- Sandy Gordon, City College of New York.
“Five years of Shakespeare studies down the toilet!”
- Perceptive lecture attendee.
Click below to
see & hear Chapter 1 narrated by
Sir Derek Jacobi.
“Wit, intrigue, mystery, passion and literary magic! It’s a great romp.”
- Paul Nicholson, Exec Director Emeritus, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
“Poetic, humorous, shockingly original and controversial.”
- Malcolm McKay, director, Shakespeare’s Globe & RADA
“So Shakespearean in its storytelling, language and humor.”
- Robin Maxwell, bestselling author of
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
“Shrewd surprises, wry humor and historical detail.”
- Michael Kinghorn, former Literary Manager, Guthrie Theater
Please note: while The Starre is available at Amazon and other booksellers, authors and publishers are better rewarded, at the same price to you, when purchased directly through the author website.
PAPERBACK:
To buy a paperback from anywhere in the world,
click the link to the right.
a portion of the sales benefit the nonprofit Oxford Shakespeare Co.
US Price:
$16.99 +
$2.99 USD shipping
or international equivalent.
EBOOK:
To buy an ebook,
click the link to the right.
US Price:
$11.49
Remember to include your email address.
AUDIOBOOK:
To buy on Amazon Audible, click the link
to the right.
Comments on the Audiobook,
narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi.
“Ron Destro’s narrator is endowed with consistently ingenious dialect, and Derek Jacobi has a field day in the audiobook exercising his sublime elocutions on the clever word bending.”
- William Niederkorn, The New York Times
“It is rare that the audiobook’s reader, Sir Derek Jacobi, is not so much narrating the story as offering a full blown comedic-dramatic performance, sending author Ron Destro’s delightful characters and breakneck plot exploding from the earphones. It is a match made in Heaven.”
- Robin Maxwell, bestselling author of
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
The Shakespeare Masterclasses
