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autogeek's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the unabridged audiobook version of this book without commentary from Audible. The audiobook was a performance of this play with Sir Ian McKellan playing the lead.
After having listened to a couple of Shakespeare plays with an accompanying commentary and having immensely enjoyed them, I decided it was time to try out one without commentary. That was a bad decision on my part. I would have given this book two stars even, but I'm sure part of the reason I didn't enjoy it is my inability.
The language, as usual with Shakespeare, is quite archaic and convoluted. Add to that inconsistent volume levels for parts of the dialogue rendering them nearly inaudible, the play is very difficult to understand. Even when I did understand, I wasn't fully able to appreciate it since, either it took too much effort to just understand it in the first place or because there was no context provided. The plot of the play is good, but I understood more of the play from the plot synopsis on Wikipedia than from the audiobook.
In summary, if you have already read or listened and understood this play, then this audiobook version of the performance might be suitable for you. If you are listening to it for the first time however, I would strongly recommend a version that has an accompanying commentary.
After having listened to a couple of Shakespeare plays with an accompanying commentary and having immensely enjoyed them, I decided it was time to try out one without commentary. That was a bad decision on my part. I would have given this book two stars even, but I'm sure part of the reason I didn't enjoy it is my inability.
The language, as usual with Shakespeare, is quite archaic and convoluted. Add to that inconsistent volume levels for parts of the dialogue rendering them nearly inaudible, the play is very difficult to understand. Even when I did understand, I wasn't fully able to appreciate it since, either it took too much effort to just understand it in the first place or because there was no context provided. The plot of the play is good, but I understood more of the play from the plot synopsis on Wikipedia than from the audiobook.
In summary, if you have already read or listened and understood this play, then this audiobook version of the performance might be suitable for you. If you are listening to it for the first time however, I would strongly recommend a version that has an accompanying commentary.
swmiswmi's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's very Shakespeare-y
aruejohns's review against another edition
3.0
The first time that I saw the Tempest performed, I was in fifth grade and had very little idea what was going on for most of the play. However, reading the play as a college student, I got a lot more out of it than I was expecting. Although I normally have trouble reading plays, I understood and enjoyed the Tempest and even managed to remember some of the characters' names. I also read a few, but not all, of the companion texts in this version and enjoyed the different perspectives that they provided to the text itself.
nebje's review against another edition
3.0
La obra está bien. Introduce magia en un universo realista, lo cual le da un toque especial a la obra. Pero sín más. No me ha aportado lo que Shakespeare suele aportarme.
pachypedia's review against another edition
4.0
Creo que, para cualquier actor de teatro, el personaje de Ariel es un caramelito.
kenziecus's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
4.0
Caliban é de longe meu personagem favorito. Um texto fascinante, que remete a muitas interpretações. Bom demais.
stellamartiinezz's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5