Reviews

All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare

krep___'s review against another edition

1.75

The language is a delight, brimming with fine turns of phrase.  I think I may have spotted some attempt at humor in a couple spots, but this is not one of Will's funny Comedies.  The story itself is disappointing.  The charismatic heroine, a commoner, is granted by the King the right to pick the man of her dreams as her husband.  The Count, who is a shallow, obnoxious snob who won't stoop to have her, thumbs his nose at the marital directive from the King (like that could happen) and runs off so he can womanize more freely.  Even the guy's mother thinks he's a jerk.  No one bothers to tell her her affection is misplaced, and she doesn't ever even speculate on that possibility.  Our heroine tricks him into sleeping with her using the old concealed identity ploy, gets pregnant, forcing him to be married to her in more than name only.  His character is given not a moment to reform, for the curtain is falling, and he has time to offer only a token statement of devotion.  It's a train wreck that we see coming and are powerless to stop.  Nobody dies, so it can't officially be a tragedy, but it might as well be.

michael5000's review

3.0

The one with the girl doctor who heals the king and gets to pick whoever she wants for a husband, except that her chosen fella puts up a bit of a resistance. The Taming of the Dude.

dizzymisslizzie's review

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

doruga's review against another edition

3.5

If you ever feel bad about stealing a concept from a book youve read just remember shakespeare himself stole from the decameron and got away with it. 

_emma_rose_'s review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This isn't my favorite Shakespeare play I've read, but I enjoyed it! It had some particularly nice quotes. I did have a bit of trouble following the plot, so I wish I had read a summary beforehand to have a better grasp of the language, but that was my bad.

renstrange's review

funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

definitely not my favorite shakespeare 

charlottesometimes's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

avery_madison's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

roseofmay's review against another edition

adventurous funny

4.0

lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition

5.0

All's Well that Ends Well is dubbed 'a problem play' in the introduction, because it's neither tragedy, comedy nor history. However, the wordplay is so excellent, and the gender role reversals very interesting.

Full review to come soon.

This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews