Sheila's Reads

I enjoyed this book. I expected a rehashing of Shakespeare play in novel form. That is not what I got. This is richer and fuller giving not only Romeo and Juliet's story but more background into their families' feud. There is more about Paris here. Juliet is a strong woman. Romeo is more dreamer than realist. Opposites certainly attract here. The parents, especially Juliet's, are more fleshed out. They are typical parents though her father is harsher than expected with an only daughter. Romeo's parents are more like Romeo, more idealistic be and willing to comply with the town leader's orders. The friars are more prominent as is the nurse who is not as flighty as we expect.

The reading by Richard Armitage is excellent. He does all the voices and pulls it off. I especially liked the author's notes at the end, read by the author. He gives a history of the story of Romeo and Juliet beginning with the first recorded version back in the 1400's then through Shakespeare. He also gives some details he used in his story.

This story, though known to us, is worth a listen. It has all and more of the intrigue from Shakespeare's play.