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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this ages ago in the original language, French... but it still stands as one of my favourite stories. It's sad and touching, but really it's Cyrano that I love the most. I wish everyone could meet the Cyrano that I met. Rostand brought to life this truly beautiful, intelligent, sincere character who made me laugh and cry. Even if you can't read it in French, I'd say pick it up in English... surely Cyrano's unique character will shine through and, like me, you might be glad that you had the opportunity to encounter this proud, large-nosed poet.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finally got to read the script of one of my favorite plays! I still enjoyed reading it, but watching it is waaaaay better. I guess the voices I hear while I read don't make the cut =P
I first came across the Cyrano de Bergerac play through the 1987 film, "Roxanne," starring Steve Martin as C.D. Bales, a firefighter based on Cyrano de Bergerac with his funny-looking nose and poetic personality, while Daryl Hannah played Roxanne. I always appreciated the humor, but yet the sweet charm that Roxanne had to offer. At some point I knew I needed to get around to reading the play and now I found that great opportunity to do so. I appreciate the play for is merit and feel that it is an important play to examine, but by no means do I find this to be the "perfect play." I feel that there are moments that, while accurate to the necessary extent, are a bit aged. The biggest example being the fact that Cyrano and Roxane are cousins. While the two were cousins in real life, this has been deemed as a fictionalized account that is meant to concentrate on Cyrano's admiration for Roxane and how he helps the man she is in love with, Christian de Neuvillette, to pursue her. While Cyrano is unattractive and has a peculiar looking nose, Christian is not a great speaker, especially around women. On the contrary, Cyrano is very well-spoken and has a terrific way with words, while Christian is incredibly attractive. The two decide to team up to help Christian pursue Roxane, much to the dismay of Comte de Guiche, who wants Roxane for himself.
One of the familiar aspects from the film adaptation, Roxanne, that caught my attention was the 20 Nose Insults that took place in the film. Cyrano recites this at the beginning of the play and it only solidifies how much I admire his character. While he is confident when he needs to be, he is not the kind of person that is going to take credit or seek out special treatment for his deeds, and this is a trait that I highly admire about him. I think this makes the play much more enjoyable to read, even if his backdrop and the sequence of events are not great.
The reason I bumped this play from what I was planning to give it at 3 1/2 stars to 4 stars is because I feel people should read this play. Cyrano de Bergerac is such a charming figure in literature, whether this fictionalized version or the real-life figure in which he is based, and that carries a great amount as far as the flow of the play is concerned. While Christian does not necessarily possess a great deal of dimension and Roxane only carries as much as a general female figure would carry in the 1600s, Cyrano's actions really flesh out that admiration and compassion for one another and provide it with all the greater emphasis. After (or before) you read this play, I would look into acted adaptations of this play, but I would highly encourage you to check out Roxanne the movie. This film is faithful to the core of the play, even if it changes some of the specific details.
One of the familiar aspects from the film adaptation, Roxanne, that caught my attention was the 20 Nose Insults that took place in the film. Cyrano recites this at the beginning of the play and it only solidifies how much I admire his character. While he is confident when he needs to be, he is not the kind of person that is going to take credit or seek out special treatment for his deeds, and this is a trait that I highly admire about him. I think this makes the play much more enjoyable to read, even if his backdrop and the sequence of events are not great.
The reason I bumped this play from what I was planning to give it at 3 1/2 stars to 4 stars is because I feel people should read this play. Cyrano de Bergerac is such a charming figure in literature, whether this fictionalized version or the real-life figure in which he is based, and that carries a great amount as far as the flow of the play is concerned. While Christian does not necessarily possess a great deal of dimension and Roxane only carries as much as a general female figure would carry in the 1600s, Cyrano's actions really flesh out that admiration and compassion for one another and provide it with all the greater emphasis. After (or before) you read this play, I would look into acted adaptations of this play, but I would highly encourage you to check out Roxanne the movie. This film is faithful to the core of the play, even if it changes some of the specific details.
I definitely really appreciated this book, because it takes you in a tremendous adventure fulfilled of a love conquest and it's absolutely lovely. I have after seen the French movie which was also very nice! Une belle lecture!
Wow!!! Maintenant je me trouve stupide d’avoir tant attend pour lire ce livre. Magistral! L’écriture est fantastique. Je l’ai lu en deux après-midi, je tenais à le lire à voix haute, je préférais donc attendre d’être seul chez moi pour ne pas avoir l’air d’un idiot et je voulais avoir suffisamment de temps pour lire, au départ je voulais lire un acte par séquence de lecture, mais finalement j’ai lu les cinq actes en deux séquences. L’écriture est d’une maitrise à mon avis inégalée dans tout ce que j’ai lu de ma vie, certes c’est du théâtre donc l’emphase est mise sur la prose, mais le rythme, surtout lu à voix haute, le style, les rimes, tout simplement fabuleux. Et non seulement la prose est belle, l’histoire est excellente, une histoire d’amour fort touchante, mais aussi de l’action, de l’humour, de la nourriture et que dire des personnages. Un classique qui mérite amplement sa place et que je recommande à tous sans hésiter, surtout si vous lisez le français évidemment, j’ignore à quoi peut ressembler la traduction anglaise. Brillant! Sublime! Un classique personnel que je me promets de relire!!
This was so good!! I had been wanting to read Cyrano de Bergerac for a while now, and I don't know what took me so long. The text is not long and the story is interesting and honestly so damn funny. Cyrano is a great protagonist and the reader is instantly drawn to his personality and wit. Every single word that he says is pure gold.
The love story was beautiful and heartbreaking. I had no idea what was going to happen, so it caught me by surprise. I love the trope of a ghostwriter who is also in love with the person receiving the letters, so it was very entertaining. I also love to go back and see how many modern love stories were inspired, or were actually retellings of this play.
The love story was beautiful and heartbreaking. I had no idea what was going to happen, so it caught me by surprise. I love the trope of a ghostwriter who is also in love with the person receiving the letters, so it was very entertaining. I also love to go back and see how many modern love stories were inspired, or were actually retellings of this play.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced