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philtatos 's review for:
Speak Easy, Speak Love
by McKelle George
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (my very first one, too!) via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
Speak Easy, Speak Love is a delightfully clever and entertainingly hilarious adaptation. It took me a while to get into the flow of the story, but once I was comfortable with the pace and the writing, I got addicted. The dialogue had me grinning from ear to ear. Chock full of witty banter and not to mention, the numerous nods to the original repartee in the play. It's probably my favorite thing about the book.
Even though I already knew what was basically going to happen with the major plot points and everything, the author still managed to surprise me for the most part. Changes were made, but hell, I absolutely love them. Most notably, the characters have more depth, with their own motivations, aspirations, and backstories. You know, aside from falling in love. While the book is definitely more character driven than anything, these new additions work to propel the story forward. It also serves John's character, in particular, especially well. In this version, he is more than the bitter bad guy doing despicable things just because he can. Also, as someone who severely dislikes Claudio, I am very much grateful for what George does with his story.
The relationships are all so endearing! Beatrice and Benedick's will always be my favorite, but the others came pretty damn close. And it isn't just the romantic relationships that I've fallen in love with, but the friendships and the tandem of the entire cast. These characters adore each other and care for each other so much, it's heartwarming!
Despite the changes, the book manages to retain the spirit of the original play. Those who consider themselves fans will definitely appreciate the references, and those who have never even touched the play will probably end up wanting to check the original one out. No doubt I'll be ordering a physical copy for myself. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year!
Speak Easy, Speak Love is a delightfully clever and entertainingly hilarious adaptation. It took me a while to get into the flow of the story, but once I was comfortable with the pace and the writing, I got addicted. The dialogue had me grinning from ear to ear. Chock full of witty banter and not to mention, the numerous nods to the original repartee in the play. It's probably my favorite thing about the book.
Even though I already knew what was basically going to happen with the major plot points and everything, the author still managed to surprise me for the most part. Changes were made, but hell, I absolutely love them. Most notably, the characters have more depth, with their own motivations, aspirations, and backstories. You know, aside from falling in love. While the book is definitely more character driven than anything, these new additions work to propel the story forward. It also serves John's character, in particular, especially well. In this version, he is more than the bitter bad guy doing despicable things just because he can. Also, as someone who severely dislikes Claudio, I am very much grateful for what George does with his story.
The relationships are all so endearing! Beatrice and Benedick's will always be my favorite, but the others came pretty damn close. And it isn't just the romantic relationships that I've fallen in love with, but the friendships and the tandem of the entire cast. These characters adore each other and care for each other so much, it's heartwarming!
Despite the changes, the book manages to retain the spirit of the original play. Those who consider themselves fans will definitely appreciate the references, and those who have never even touched the play will probably end up wanting to check the original one out. No doubt I'll be ordering a physical copy for myself. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year!