On August 13, 2026 the Folger’s virtual book club returns with a discussion of The Fraud by Zadie Smith. To prepare for the discussion, we have pulled together a list of resources related to the historical context of the novel.
EXPLORE Shakespeare in the Victorian era
- Shakespeare Unlimited, Episode 156: The Victorian Cult of Shakespeare
- Art to enchant: Shakespeare and Victorian illustration
- Actors Ellen Terry, Henry Irving, and Victorian Shakespeare
LEARN about the history of Jamaica and the Caribbean
- Sweet Blood: A Play in Progress
- Shakespeare Unlimited, Episode 35: Shakespeare and the Caribbean
- Collection Connections: ‘Black Cake’ by Charmaine Wilkerson
DISCOVER Charles Dickens’ connection to Shakespeare
- A tale of three playbills: The Lighthouse, The Frozen Deep, and The Merry Wives of Windsor
- “What the Dickens”: How Shakespeare haunts “A Christmas Carol”
We would like to thank the following organization for its generous support of this program
Join us for a future event
Inventing the Icon: How Shakespeare Became "Shakespeare"
Inventing the Icon: How Shakespeare Became "Shakespeare"
Teachers, join us for a free, one-hour professional development session with Shakespeare scholar Paul Menzer.
Wed, Oct 14, 2026, 8pm ET
Reading Like Writers: The Folger Method and Student Writing
Reading Like Writers: The Folger Method and Student Writing
Teachers, join us for a free, one-hour professional development session on the Folger Method and student writing.
Wed, Nov 4, 2026, 8pm ET
Folger Book Club: 'Mona Acts Out' by Mischa Berlinski
Folger Book Club: 'Mona Acts Out' by Mischa Berlinski
In our November selection, a Shakespearean actor looks back on her life in the theater as she traverses present-day New York City one Thanksgiving morning.
Thu, Nov 5, 2026, 6:30pm
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