Nicolas Shakespeare is a writer of intellect and grace.

This new non-fiction book sees him holed-up in Tasmania, his chosen home, where he discovers other Shakespeares: not at their keyboards, but wiring houses, fixing leaks and laying bricks. He makes it his business to call them up, to become acquainted.

The other N Shakespeare - Nevin - rides a Suzuki GSXF. His father Gavin admits that English was a subject he failed at school. Neither he nor Nevin has taken much interest in genealogy. “Once they go,” says Nevin, “it’s just a heap of old photos. It’s just history.” Nicholas Shakespeare thinks otherwise.

scotsman.com