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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
"What if we dared to have that kind of confidence? What if we dared to tell our versions as though we knew they'd last, we believe they'd be the ones people would hear for centuries to come?" -Juliet-
A group of ill-fated female Shakespearean characters tell their own stories through verse and a play-like structure, and then retell them as they would like them to be. An absolutely fascinating way to rewrite centuries old stories of some of the most well-known tragedies, recentered on women and their experiences.
A group of ill-fated female Shakespearean characters tell their own stories through verse and a play-like structure, and then retell them as they would like them to be. An absolutely fascinating way to rewrite centuries old stories of some of the most well-known tragedies, recentered on women and their experiences.
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really cool concept, very well executed. A quick but powerful reading, high-school-me would've loved this & adult me does too.
My favorite quotes:
“Broken people can be loved.”
“Not all stories can be told. Some are so dark and twisted, their telling would undo the world. But that doesn't mean she can't share who she is, what she's been through, who she'll be, if given the chance.”
“Each considers how these acts of violence against their bodies were acceptable to the world, while their desires were not.”
“Broken people can be loved.”
“Not all stories can be told. Some are so dark and twisted, their telling would undo the world. But that doesn't mean she can't share who she is, what she's been through, who she'll be, if given the chance.”
“Each considers how these acts of violence against their bodies were acceptable to the world, while their desires were not.”
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
this made me feel such a range of emotions, i'm kind of emotionally spent in the absolute best way. a real review shall be coming, but this is a new favorite
What if Juliet, Cordelia and Ophelia could rewrite their stories to their liking? That’s the conceit of the novel written in verse. Stricken is the men and the patriarchal undertones of many of the Bard’s plays. I liked the reimaginings of these popular stories I thought it was refreshing to see a different path for these heroines.
My only draw back was that some of the interstitials were a little too cutesy on the nose.
My only draw back was that some of the interstitials were a little too cutesy on the nose.
I really enjoyed this book. In the same way Shakespeare retold stories of his time, the author reinvents Shakespeare’s plays in the voices of the leading ladies who reclaim their desire, power, and the right to tell their stories. Recommend for all my English teacher, friends, and Shakespeare enthusiasts
This book hooked me from the beginning and did not let me go. I loved every page and stayed up past midnight to finish it. As someone who loves Shakespeare but always was troubled by the fates of many female characters in his work, this book struck a chord.
I loved all the of principal characters, but Ophelia hit closest to home. I recently played Polonius in a production of Hamlet that focused on the queer elements of the play and Ophelia was one of my favorite characters in that production. Over and over again we reflected on the fact that Ophelia and Queen Gertrude never got to tell their own stories. To hear her perspective in this book brought me back to that production.
While this book is certainly heavy, there are also comedy. Cordelia, Juliet, Ophelia, and even Lavinia had moments of humor and levity especially when they are communicating with each other.
Joy McCullough did such an amazing job with this book! 10/10 do recommend.
I loved all the of principal characters, but Ophelia hit closest to home. I recently played Polonius in a production of Hamlet that focused on the queer elements of the play and Ophelia was one of my favorite characters in that production. Over and over again we reflected on the fact that Ophelia and Queen Gertrude never got to tell their own stories. To hear her perspective in this book brought me back to that production.
While this book is certainly heavy, there are also comedy. Cordelia, Juliet, Ophelia, and even Lavinia had moments of humor and levity especially when they are communicating with each other.
Joy McCullough did such an amazing job with this book! 10/10 do recommend.