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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I thought this was an interesting take on Shakespeare's plays, and I liked how it turned them more feminist in a really unique way. It was really fun to see the characters interact, and it was also fun to see the specific characters he chose, since I've read all three of the plays that Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia are in.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was pretty good. It had a good cast of characters and was a short but fresh read and spin on the classic tragedies. I liked the character dynamics, and as a theatre nerd, I appreciated this book. Definitely worth reading!
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In the room beneath a stage trapdoor, Shakespeare's female characters wait. 4 tragic teens - Cordelia, Ophelia, Lavinia, and Juliet - begin a conversation about their fates while the other women listen in. As they discuss their dissatisfaction with how the Bard told their stories, they tell their stories how they SHOULD have been.
I loved the shifting between the different characters. Each had a distinct voice and it was fun watching them interact. I especially loved how the four teen girls interacted with one another.
I loved the shifting between the different characters. Each had a distinct voice and it was fun watching them interact. I especially loved how the four teen girls interacted with one another.
This was a BoB read and I am obsessed! I love a good Shakespeare retelling and this was such an interesting/feminiat take on that. Women from The Bard’s tragedies all wind up in a stage trap room purgatory. They tell their stories and then decide to rewrite them. Most of this was written in verse or in a play format so it was a really fast read.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book so much. As a theatre kid, I sincerely hope that this is turned into a play for the stage because I think it would be so powerful live.
If you’ve read Shakespeare’s works and been upset with a portrayal of one of his female characters, please consider picking up this book. It allowed me to resonate with and see myself in these characters that deserved more.
My only qualms are that there were times where things were inserted into the writing to make it feel YA. I wish that it would have been written for adult audiences and some of the less mature language would have been taken out.
If you’ve read Shakespeare’s works and been upset with a portrayal of one of his female characters, please consider picking up this book. It allowed me to resonate with and see myself in these characters that deserved more.
My only qualms are that there were times where things were inserted into the writing to make it feel YA. I wish that it would have been written for adult audiences and some of the less mature language would have been taken out.
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
I restarted and listened to the audiobook. I will say I enjoyed the look a lot more listening to it. The narration was spot on. There were times I laughed out loud. The narrator for Juliet nailed the spoiled brat tone that comes off of Juliet. The story reminded me of Six the Musical except it was all about the tortured, tragic ends to Juliet, Ophelia, Lavinia and Cordelia. Juliet wants them to “change their endings” however the others know that it’s not possible. The “bard” wrote their endings and there’s nothing to change that fact no matter how much Juliet wants it. Very interesting take on these four tragic heroines. Definitely one to listen to. It was like listening to four teens having a conversation with the occasional interruption from the off stage narrator.