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Midsummer's Bottom Paperback – April 19, 2018

by Darren Dash (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 87 ratings
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The Midsummer Players stage an outdoor version of A Midsummer Night's Dream every year. The actors are dreadful and audience members almost never attend more than once. Except for...

...the fey folk!

All of the fairies named in the play are obliged to attend every performance, due to a deal that they struck with a mischievous Master Shakespeare. In an attempt to break up the Players on the eve of their twentieth anniversary, Oberon and Puck hire a human trickster to infiltrate the actors' ranks and set them against one another by focusing on secret attractions and grudges that have been lying dormant up to now. Sparks will fly, and everyone will come to blows, but it's all executed with a wink and a grin, and there will be more smiles than tears by the end. At least, that’s the plan...

This comedic fantasy is for lovers of Shakespeare, chaos and fairies everywhere.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

"A clever and kinky theatrical romp with a big heart." Kirkus - a Recommended Read.

"I think I’ve found my favorite book of 2018. Midsummer’s Bottom is Darren Dash at his best and most inventive form." Scare Tissue.

"Midsummer's Bottom is one of the most entertaining novels of the year... filled with magic, mayhem and good old-fashioned storytelling that will hook readers from the very first page. Light-hearted and humorous escapism doesn't get any better than this." Rising Shadow.

"This unique tale is that rare reimagination of elements of a classic story that captures all the comedy, drama, and emotional satisfaction of its original and in some ways exceeds them." US Review of Books - Recommended read.

"Darren Dash has masterfully combined Shakespeare's style and greatness with his own amazing poetic agility to create an absolutely delightful tale that will make you laugh until you cry. I was skeptical of a 'retread' of Shakespeare, but this is very cleverly done and quite entertaining. Bravo!" Readers' Favorite - 5 star review.

"Midsummer's Bottom delights with Shakespearian couplets and a cacophony of human foibles that smash up to a satisfying ending. Dash has created a stellar cast of full, engaging characters. Tightly-written and imaginative, Midsummer's Bottom glides the reader through a wonderful story towards a rewarding, and unexpected, end." Self-Publishing Review.

"Shakespeare fans in particular will find the atmosphere and humor exquisite. While they stay true to some of the Bard's ironic contentions and satirical approaches, they also add embellishments unique to Darren Dash's style and contemporary approach to Midsummer's spectacles." Midwest Book Review.

"Midsummer's Bottom is a laugh out loud comedy, a rollicking romp that will leave you with a warm, satisfied feeling long after you finish." Rachel Hobbs, author - 5 star review.

"I loved the diversity. Bisexual, gay, questioning, straight, cross-dressing: there was a little of everything in this small cast, and the representation without shame, without it feeling forced, was wonderful." Kelly Smith Reviews - 5 star review.

"Midsummer's Bottom warmed my heart and confirmed one thought in my mind, that was a distant whisper until now - Darren Dash can do anything." The Literary Connoisseur.

"Midsummer's Bottom is funny, fantastical, and tremendously thoughtful... thrilling, suspenseful, and surprisingly risque." Book Blog Bonanza.

"A charming, funny romp full of a host of quirky characters." Banshee Irish Horror Blog.

"Midsummer’s Bottom is a swiftly paced tongue-in-cheek romp packed with bawdy humour and fantastical charm." Books, Films & Random Lunacy.

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  1. Print length
    458 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 19, 2018
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 1.04 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1717200214
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1717200211
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 19, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 458 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1717200214
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1717200211
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.69 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.04 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 87 ratings

About the author

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Darren Dash

Darren Dash

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Darren Dash is better known as Darren Shan, under which name he has sold over 25 million books worldwide, mainly in the YA market. While Darren is still in love with the world of YA and as active on that front as ever, he is now also exploring the darker world of the night with his adult works, as Darren Dash.

Darren's real name is Darren O’Shaughnessy. He was born on July 2, 1972, in London, but is Irish (despite the strong Cockney accent that he has never lost) and has spent most of his life in Limerick in Ireland, where he now lives with his wife and son.

Darren went to school in Limerick, then studied Sociology and English at Roehampton University in London. He worked for a cable television company in Limerick for a couple of years, before setting up as a full-time writer at the age of 23. Darren was 17 when he finished his first novel. (It has yet to be published, but hopefully he'll get around to rewriting and editing it into shape for a future Darren Dash release.) For the next several years, sandwiched between university and work, he wrote a book a year, experimenting with different ideas, genres, lengths and styles. When he started writing full-time, his output shot up to 5 to 6 books per year, and although that has dipped in recent years, he has still been an incredibly prolific author, releasing 49 books between February 1999 and December 2016.

All of his early books were adult-oriented, and his initial breakthrough was with an adult book, in February 1999, called "Ayuamarca" (later republished as "Procession of the Dead" under the Darren Shan banner), the first of a trilogy of books known as "The City". That was followed by "Hell's Horizon" in February 2000. Then, several years later, when the first two were re-edited and re-released, he published the third book, "City of the Snakes". All of these came out under the Darren Shan name, as did a one-off thriller with supernatural elements called "Lady Of The Shades." But Darren never felt comfortable releasing his adult work under the same name as his YA work, and decided to create a new pseudonym for his more mature novels in 2014 -- which led to the birth of Darren Dash.

A big film buff, with a collection of nearly five thousand movies on DVD, Darren also reads lots of books and comics, and likes to study and collect original artwork, especially comic art, modern art, and sculptures. Other interests include long walks, watching football (he’s a Tottenham Hotspur and Ireland fan), listening to pop and rock music, theatre, worldwide travel, sampling the delights of both gourmet cuisine and finger-licking junk food, and dreaming up new ways to disturb and entertain his readers!

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4.3 out of 5 stars
87 global ratings

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5 out of 5 stars
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Nothing really bad to say about the quality or shopping experience (the pages do seem a little thin as I saw in another review before purchase but not problematic). Currently reading this enjoyable book by Darren Shan.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • User
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book if you love scandals.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very chaotic throughout. But the overall message is love prevails! The sex scenes go a little too far, but the lesson learned was worth the read. I personally don't read romance novels, but I'll try anything Darren publishes. My head was spinning throughout the whole book. I love writers that try new genres. Darren did pretty well with this one.
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  • Owl
    5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED IT!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Another truly one of a kind masterpiece by Darren Dash! I would highly recommend “Midsummers Bottom” to older readers around 17 and up. It doesn’t get too crude with the details but it’s also no children’s book as I’m sure you can tell by looking at the cover. I think the cover goes very well with the storyline though. If you look up images of the characters “Oberon and Titania” from the play that the group is performing, you will find the the cover matches that style perfectly.

    It is a good bit different from his other books. It’s an enjoyable and light read but certainly NOT boring. I’m convinced after years of reading Darren’s books that the man couldn’t write a boring book if he tried! The characters are hilarious and fun to follow. I love books in which the point of view changes so that you aren’t just getting the thoughts and feelings of one main character. This way you see all the different sides of every conflict.

    Without giving too much away, the story is about a group of people who put on one of “Shakespeare’s” plays every year called “A Midsummer Nights Dream”. I put quotes around Shakespeare because he didn’t actually come up with the idea himself. Real fairies gave him the idea for it. But in doing so, they struck a deal with him in which they thought they made out with the better half. But Shakespeare had tricked them so one of the fairies goes in search of a human agent of chaos to cause havoc among the group, trying desperately to break them up so that they will no longer have to witness the disaster that is “The Midsummer’s Players”.

    All in all, I would give “Midsummers Bottom” a five out of five star rating. The plot was gripping. I loved it and will definitely be reading it again in the future.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Marina E. Michaels
    2.0 out of 5 stars Unlikable main character
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Decently written story of a criminal we're supposed to like. But I can't like someone who does wilful, destructive harm and shows no remorse.

    The first action the main character (MC) takes is to release a computer virus within his employer's corporate network. The MC chortles as he walks off the job, fancying himself a freedom fighter freeing his co-workers.

    He then steals a manager's car and totals it. We're supposed to think that's okay, too, because the manager makes a lot of money. Funny reason to harm someone. If the manager had been sadistic or psychopathic, that would have been an understandable motivation, though still not a good reason. It just shows how shallow and unworthy the MC is.

    I tried reading further; in fact, I skimmed a lot of the book to the end. But I can't like a malicious, lying person who justifies their criminal acts by saying their victims deserved it. (For ten years, he's been sponging off friends, lying, stealing, etc.)

    Let's look a little deeper by taking one of the MC's actions and let it stand in for them all. I'm sure the author simply knew so little about computer viruses that he didn't know what he didn't know. But he should have researched enough to know that what he's presenting as harmless fun is far from harmless. It deeply harmed those co-workers.

    Initially, I thought the MC would meet his comeuppance or redemption. But not only does he never suffer consequences, he never feels remorse for what he did. I can't like someone with no moral compass, no empathy, no awareness, and no compassion.
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  • Brandon Nobach
    5.0 out of 5 stars Darren Dash Spins a Magical Tale
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Darren Dash spins a tale filled to the brim with twists and turns as the magic of Feyland is spread throughout the words. He crafts a masterpiece that is different from much of his other work as the Master of Horror. This comedy driven piece leaves you wondering throughout how it will all end!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Aryd'ell Hotelling
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly delightful in every way
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Whether you know the Dream well, or this be your first dime, you have only to dive into these waters, for a rollicking great time. Kudos, Darren Dash, for now you may rest, knowing this work will always shine the best.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Salena
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing bad to say
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Nothing really bad to say about the quality or shopping experience (the pages do seem a little thin as I saw in another review before purchase but not problematic). Currently reading this enjoyable book by Darren Shan.
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    Salena
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Nothing bad to say

    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2019
    Nothing really bad to say about the quality or shopping experience (the pages do seem a little thin as I saw in another review before purchase but not problematic). Currently reading this enjoyable book by Darren Shan.
    Images in this review
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    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Emma Streets
    5.0 out of 5 stars first class read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This isn’t usually my type of book but I had so much fun reading this one I thought it was put together so well and had a fantastic cast of characters all so different and interesting.
    I feel like I’m a little biased on this on I’ve read and loved the writing of Darren Shan for the last 12 years and in recent years his Darren dash books.
    His writing is flawless and gripping and he can weave a story so fascinating you can’t put it down.
    I don’t know a lot about a midsummers night dream but I feel like I’ve learned a lot about it.
    This book has it all fey folk, drama, dark comedy, some steamy scenes, and a bit of the classic
    Stuff.
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  • Eva Lang
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining book
    Reviewed in Germany on September 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Yet again an amazing book by Darren!
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  • Chris Cool
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly crafted characters and storyline
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Easily one of the best books of 2018. I love Midsummer’s Bottom. You can always count on Darren Dash to publish highly crafted and well thought out characters and storyline. It’s highly entertaining, I just couldn’t put it down.
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  • Zotwot
    4.0 out of 5 stars Different from the author's other work but equally enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    So far Darren Dash has released three very different novels and this fourth is even further away from his young adult Darren Shan persona.

    Whilst I enjoy Shakespeare's work, A Midsummer's Night Dream is not a play I am familiar with. The author assured me on Twitter that this would not be a problem but I began to worry when the book began and I found myself reading a conversation between a group of fairies in iambic pentameter. Fortunately the next chapter changes style completely and we get an excellent set-up.

    The idea here is brilliant. Shakespeare did a deal with the fairies who appear in the play and they have to attend every performance of the play. One group of players who perform it every Midsummer are particularly awful and so they hire troublemaker Del Chapman to cause mischief and ensure the players are disbanded once and for all.

    Much of the book then follows the rehearsals for the play as Del causes all sorts of trouble. Dash gives us a brilliant cast of characters who are all really well constructed. The author is talented at creating characters but this is perhaps is first book where the story is character-driven rather than plot driven. A diverse range of believable characters fall out and in love with each other, with the assistance of some interference from Del.

    The book features a lot of sex which is where the adult nature of this book comes in. Very few of the books I read have any sex scenes at all and this one has lots. I didn't really enjoy this aspect of the book and I wasn't convinced that some of them had much value to the plot. This though perhaps says more about me than the book itself though.

    The final section see the final performance and is particularly fine as all the character interactions come to a fore. It's really enjoyable as it follows the idea of the plot but also expands it, showing Del to have a heart too. There's also some great detail as Dash shows us the thoughts of specific members of the audience- I loved the bits about the boy genius who rules his parents lives.

    I felt like I certainly would have gained more from this had I been familiar with the play but could enjoy it nonetheless. Dash manages to share the plot of the play through what the actors are doing in rehearsals and on stage with plenty of quotes too. This works well but it's no substitution for the play itself. It became clear to me that the events of this story reflect the events of the play. It's almost a modern interpretation of the same story with the play-within-a-play being A Midsummer's Night Dream itself, which is a very pleasing notion.

    There's a bit of fairy mysticism but really this is a great character piece using the Shakespeare play as inspiration. Very different from anything else the author has done but just as enjoyable as his other work.
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  • Caroline
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I started reading Darren Shan’s work as a child and immediately fell in love with it. I am now enjoying his books for adults with as much glee. They are always page turners that I cannot put down !
    Report