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tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
I had a rollercoaster of emotions when it came to this book.
First I was excited forgetting that it is a story told in poems. Then I was skeptical when I realized it was a story told in poems. Then I was totally into it before finding myself to be confused. I went back and forth between understanding and confusion and despite not following along with the story 100% of the time I found it very powerful and ultimately enjoyable.
I feel like reading it again would help fill in some blanks and better connect the dots. But even without complete clarity I was able to follow along and feel the story. I enjoyed reading a story that revolves around topics that I am personally unfamiliar with but told in a way that is relatable. I want to read it again so I can appreciate it more.
But where i stand right now is that i liked it. Also, I liked the references to Romeo and Juliet. Which is a story that I enjoy and I really liked reading this modern version of it.
First I was excited forgetting that it is a story told in poems. Then I was skeptical when I realized it was a story told in poems. Then I was totally into it before finding myself to be confused. I went back and forth between understanding and confusion and despite not following along with the story 100% of the time I found it very powerful and ultimately enjoyable.
I feel like reading it again would help fill in some blanks and better connect the dots. But even without complete clarity I was able to follow along and feel the story. I enjoyed reading a story that revolves around topics that I am personally unfamiliar with but told in a way that is relatable. I want to read it again so I can appreciate it more.
But where i stand right now is that i liked it. Also, I liked the references to Romeo and Juliet. Which is a story that I enjoy and I really liked reading this modern version of it.
kaylarage's review against another edition
2.0
The idea of this story is interesting enough, highlighting the fact that the themes of Shakespeare's play is universal and timeless (that somebody is always at war with someone else and that teenagers are dumb and impulsive), but the execution is just...not. It would have been much better as an actual novel rather that not-good, trendy, and pretty juvenile poetry.
moserk's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Setting aside my thoughts on the setting and the author's handling of a modern-day Romeo & Juliet but with an Israeli girl and Palestinian boy, this still missed the mark and fell incredibly flat for me.
I found the split POV difficult to follow (if not for the audiobook, I undoubtedly would have misinterpreted Jamil's sections as Ronit's words and vice verse) but appreciated the use of ghazal poem structure (although, I understand this requires at least a 5 couplet structure, and note that Ronit's first ghazal is only 4 couplets).
It's a 1-hr read if you feel called.
I found the split POV difficult to follow (if not for the audiobook, I undoubtedly would have misinterpreted Jamil's sections as Ronit's words and vice verse) but appreciated the use of ghazal poem structure (although, I understand this requires at least a 5 couplet structure, and note that Ronit's first ghazal is only 4 couplets).
It's a 1-hr read if you feel called.
erincataldi's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book was amazing! A modern day re-telling of Romeo and Juliet with a Palestinian Boy and an Israeli girl falling for each other in Israel. It's written in verse and intended for teens, but honestly this whole book just fell short for me. The poetry was clunky rather than fluid, they were using cell phones to communicate, and honestly it was more about their differences than their love. I feel like this book was aimed to get teenagers to learn about the conflicts in Israel, but it didn't do anything for the heart of the story, the romance, the Romeo and Juliet vibe. Great concept, just sad it fell short of the mark. If you really want to check it out though it is a SUPER quick read and can be gotten through in an hour.
hannadekoning2001's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed by this book. I really liked the concept: a retelling of Romeo and Juliet where the main characters live in Israel and Palestina, they fall in love, but, because of the conflict between their countries, they can't be together.
This book was extremely short, and there were only a few characters. I found the way that this story was narrated really confusing. I listened to this as an audiobook, so that might have something to do with it.
I also thought the characters weren't really fleshed out throughout this novel, so I didn't feel connected to them. The families of the two lovers are not supportive at all (I know this is also the case in Romeo and Juliet, but I hoped for a little more development) and all you hear from them is just being sad or angry because of their 'relationship'.
I did think this book was pretty cute, so that's why I'll still give it 2 stars, but other than that, I wasn't impressed.
This book was extremely short, and there were only a few characters. I found the way that this story was narrated really confusing. I listened to this as an audiobook, so that might have something to do with it.
I also thought the characters weren't really fleshed out throughout this novel, so I didn't feel connected to them. The families of the two lovers are not supportive at all (I know this is also the case in Romeo and Juliet, but I hoped for a little more development) and all you hear from them is just being sad or angry because of their 'relationship'.
I did think this book was pretty cute, so that's why I'll still give it 2 stars, but other than that, I wasn't impressed.
kenza_ysfi's review against another edition
Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing this book after reading most of it (more than 70%).
Reasons:
- The writing isn't for me. I did not enjoy the way it is written at all.
- This is a retelling of Romeo and Juliette. The story takes place in current Palestine/Israel and it is a good idea but the love story wasn't well built and I just couldn't feel the characters emotions. I feel so bad about it...
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
“I have wings on the back of my shoulders and I’m ready to fly.”
fiareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin is a new world retelling of the greatest classic love story, Romeo & Julliet. Ronit, an Israelis girl who met Jamil, an Palastenian boy as Ronit’s Abba supplying medication to a clinic where Jamil’s Abi served.
Initially, I thought this is a novel, but it is a poem story of them. It describes a little bit of history of the war and the atmosphere of the daily life. I can sense that the writer try to be neutral, not to side of either Israel or Palestine. Most of it is how Ronit & Jamil grew feeling towards one another and how their situation complicate things.
They had to hide their relationship from the family and sneaking out to meet. When their parents found out, they planned to run away to a place where love is not forbidden between them.
One may think that this is just a fiction but somewhere in this part of the world, story of Romeo & Juliet happens among us. In a different version, in different era, with different challanges. To the other Romeo & Juliet, if it is worth it, hope you find happiness in each other ❤️
emilymorgan02's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping for more...the writing was better than I expected, but the storyline could easily become confusing and it was hard to get a good grasp of the characters. Novels in verse have to be done really well to capture character, tone, emotion, and all the things people love in both novels and in poetry. This was fell a little flat for me.