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bardicbramley's review
4.0
- 'Ello, wha' fresh 'ell is dis?
Is dis a virus which mi ah see before mi? -
What a treat!
A collection of poetry inspired by Shakespeare's soliloquies, written for a modern audience in Jamaican Patois.
The introduction, written by the editor rather than the author, is pretty long. I would basically call it Act 1 of the whole book. But is it also very interesting, so it can be forgiven. It is definitely a very useful tool for any teachers who might pick up this book with the intention of using it with young people (some of the poems are definitely more secondary school level).
The poems themselves were amazing. As someone who is not particularly versed in Jamaican Patois, I found myself rediscovering my love for Shakespeare through it; that feeling of unravelling the text and it's meanings. I surprised myself with the amount of words I actually did confidently know, whilst other words or alternative spellings were easy to pick up through the text - just like Shakespeare.
I would love to hear these poems as an audiobook or in a production to fully enjoy them, just as with any Shakespeare.
Is dis a virus which mi ah see before mi? -
What a treat!
A collection of poetry inspired by Shakespeare's soliloquies, written for a modern audience in Jamaican Patois.
The introduction, written by the editor rather than the author, is pretty long. I would basically call it Act 1 of the whole book. But is it also very interesting, so it can be forgiven. It is definitely a very useful tool for any teachers who might pick up this book with the intention of using it with young people (some of the poems are definitely more secondary school level).
The poems themselves were amazing. As someone who is not particularly versed in Jamaican Patois, I found myself rediscovering my love for Shakespeare through it; that feeling of unravelling the text and it's meanings. I surprised myself with the amount of words I actually did confidently know, whilst other words or alternative spellings were easy to pick up through the text - just like Shakespeare.
I would love to hear these poems as an audiobook or in a production to fully enjoy them, just as with any Shakespeare.
jenniferw88's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
mekeisha's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
booksnbubbly7's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
nadia's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This collection was a lot of fun! I think the most fun I've had reading through a book of poems?
As somebody who is used to hearing Patois, it was generally easy to read and the comic effect was heightened.
I thought there would be more direct parallels/links between specific Shakespeare scenes and the scenes in this poem, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the scenarios presented.
Also, there's a great introduction by Karina Lickorish Quinn, which I recommend reading at the end!
As somebody who is used to hearing Patois, it was generally easy to read and the comic effect was heightened.
I thought there would be more direct parallels/links between specific Shakespeare scenes and the scenes in this poem, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the scenarios presented.
Also, there's a great introduction by Karina Lickorish Quinn, which I recommend reading at the end!
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