Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of King John
Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

King John

by William Shakespeare
Aggregate Editorial Score40/100
#414of 99,626 books
Kirkus Reviews
Published 1700English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that King John (1700) by William Shakespeare continues to receive. Published in 1700, King John by William Shakespeare is a landmark work of literary fiction that explores the complexities of human experience with depth and nuance.

Book Details

AuthorWilliam Shakespeare
Published1700
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
Editorial Score40/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United Kingdom →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1700, William Shakespeare's King John is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with the human condition gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 40/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. Readers coming to King John for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of the human condition is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, William Shakespeare occupies a significant position. King John is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Kirkus Reviews
notable · national
170040
✍️
About the Author
William Shakespeare
United Kingdom
View Author →

William Shakespeare is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of classic literature.

Happy Employees
The Management Companion
Happy Employees
What Evolution Tells You About Leading People
Lead with human nature, and your team won’t just perform — they’ll thrive.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is King John about?

King John by William Shakespeare is a celebrated work of literary fiction published in 1700. It is widely regarded as an important contribution to its genre, exploring themes that resonate with readers across generations.

Who wrote King John?

King John was written by William Shakespeare, first published in 1700. William Shakespeare is recognized as a significant author in the field of literary fiction.

When was King John published?

King John was first published in 1700. It has since become a well-regarded work in the literary fiction genre, read by audiences around the world.

Where can I buy King John?

You can buy King John on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is King John?

King John is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is King John from?

King John originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇬🇧Books from United Kingdom🇬🇧 United Kingdom literature📅1700s BooksPublished in the 1700s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time