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    Romeo and Juliet
    Romeo and Juliet
    Romeo and Juliet
    Audiobook2 hours

    Romeo and Juliet

    Written by William Shakespeare

    Narrated by Albert Finney

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Albert Finney, Claire Bloom, Edith Evans and Hilton Edwards perform an unabridged version of Shakespeare's tradegy about two young lovers whose deaths unite their feuding families.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSaland Publishing
    Release dateJan 12, 2011
    ISBN9781908338990
    Author

    William Shakespeare

    William Shakespeare is the world's greatest ever playwright. Born in 1564, he split his time between Stratford-upon-Avon and London, where he worked as a playwright, poet and actor. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two, leaving three children—Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. The rest is silence.

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    Reviews for Romeo and Juliet

    3.5/5

    8,059 ratings90 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The First Folio edition has it all! It is so interesting to see what has been cut through the years. Still my favorite Shakespeare!
    • 4/5
      Romeo and Juliet- Manga Classics – by William Shakespeare, by Stacy King, Crystal S. Chan (Adaptation), Julien Choy (Art), Akanovas (Lettering), Jeannie Lee (Lettering)There is no need to go into the synopsis or plot of one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. We all know the basics of this story by now. Many have read the play in school or have seen a stage or movie adaptation at one point. So, I think it is safe to skip the analysis. For me, Manga is something I flat out ignored for years because I presumed without ever giving it a fair chance that it would not be something I’d enjoy. Then I discovered it was often geared towards teens or young adults, which was yet another strike against it. But, by sheer accident, I discovered Manga covered a lot of areas, and was much more complex than I’d given it credit for. Having gotten to an age where I’ve dipped my toes in many different genres, and sub-genres, I find that the ‘I’ve outgrown this’ or ‘aged out of’ attitude closes off many unexplored avenues and because I like to think I’m open minded, I’ve begun to reconsider areas I’ve previously closed off. As a result, I’m having a lot of fun learning about Manga, Graphic Novels, and Comics. Much to my surprise, I’ve found a nice selection of classic stories, in Manga/Graphic Novel format. After recently reading a memoir by Olivia Hussey, the actress who portrayed Juliet in the famous Zeffirelli 1968 film, this play was on my mind quite a lot. So, when I noticed this Manga version on Netgalley, it grabbed my attention immediately. For anyone who may be thinking the dialogue is 'updated' with more modern dialect, you’d be wrong. This is the same script you’d find in the original play- except there are no stage directions. Instead, those are replaced by images, which works out much better than I’d have imagined. The artwork is spectacular, as is the adaptation. Obviously, a great deal of thought went into how to present this classic in Manga form, and I’d say it came off beautifully. Granted, I’m still a novice at this, but I was pleased with the presentation. I did have a few technical issues, since this one is not in Kindle/ MOBI format. I had to use Adobe Edition, which is a pain, and the scrolling was terrible, especially since, of course it’s back to front. Several times my screen jumped to the end of the book and caused a great deal of frustration.Shakespeare is still difficult to read and adjusting to this format made it an even bigger challenge. It took me a good long while to get through it. (If anyone has a suggestion on how to make this less daunting- please feel free to offer me some suggestions.) However, despite the heaviness of the drama, and the extra effort it required to read the book, I was impressed, and enjoyed reading this classic with the well-drawn illustrations and art work which certainly enriched and enhanced my experience.Despite the disdain of melodrama- I liked all the angst between Romeo and Juliet- but not that sad ending! It still makes a great cautionary tale- even after all these years. 4 stars
    • 3/5
      There's only so much you can take reading old English before your mind starts to wander.
    • 5/5
      This review is for the Frankly Annotated First Folio Edition, with annotations by Demitra Papadinis.The layout of the book is fantastic, making it easy to keep your place in the play when checking on the notes. The notes themselves are fantastic, going in depth and not leaving out the dirty jokes. A thoroughly enjoyable and educational edition!
    • 4/5
      "Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo?"

      *rolls eyes*

      I've seen way too many skits/parodies for this, and I perfected the plot even before I read the unabridged manuscript. The 1968 movie version (which we were all forced to watch for English Class *cringe*) did feature two very good-looking leads, but basically, I didn't have any respect for two shockingly young idiots who killed themselves for [puppy] love.

      Until...

      We were forced to make a play for this. I wasn't a happy camper, especially since I was pushed into making our script. Why should we make a play for this, when we already know what's going to happen? Talk about milking it. I don’t think there’s a person who has never heard of Romeo and Juliet. Granted, we were given freedom to change the ending, but aside from that, there is no element of surprise.

      What I didn't count on was that the element of surprise, was my new-found respect for Will Shakespeare.

      I have to hand it to Shakespeare: he’s a brilliant writer, not only because of the things he writes of, but because of the way he writes them. The words flow wonderfully. It was then that I understood why we had to learn Shakespeare in school: reading his works is a celebration of words.

      Taken out of context, Romeo falling in love with Juliet just after he was dumped by Rosaline, induces one to roll one’s eyes. But damn, did you read what Romeo says about Juliet?
      “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.”

      A lot of people dissent: This is a romantic story; No, it is not. Whatever it may be, I do believe that Romeo and Juliet’s passion is touching, and in the first few acts, enviable. There are way too many lines between them that I love!

      I also believe that it is a cautionary tale. That it was intended to be a tragedy, for R & J to act stupidly because we act stupidly in love, too. And so enter Friar Lawrence to deliver us a most important speech:
      These violent delights have violent ends
      And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
      Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey
      Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
      And in the taste confounds the appetite.
      Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.
      Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.

      Thank God for sparknotes, seriously, for this interpretation: These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow.


      Romeo and Juliet made me look at Shakespeare in a whole new light. It made me realize that Shakespeare really is a writing genius. I have a long way into fully appreciating him, since R & J is the only play I’ve read. I do think there will come a time when I will finally muster up the motivation to read through another Shakespeare again.
    • 4/5
      Note: this is only four stars compared to other Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is not the best play he ever wrote, but it is far and away better than almost anything else in the English language.
    • 4/5
      4.25 StarsA fanciful retelling of Romeo and Juliet in Manga format. Emotive artwork and much of the dialogue is in true Shakespeare form. A nice addition to the Manga Classics series. Keep up the good work! For classics and adaptation fans.Net Galley Feedback
    • 5/5
      The definitive edition of this play for 21st century academics. Weis is an intelligent editor who shows an objective viewpoint when looking at textual cruxes, and really provides a decent overview of the scholarship on the text. Perhaps the introduction doesn't cover the text in a literary analysis sense, but I suppose there are more highschool-oriented texts out there for that. Very good, and - while not perhaps in my Top 5 of the current Arden series - an example of what the Arden editions aspire to be.
    • 5/5
      A first-class presentation of this Shakespeare play. The cast includes Kenneth Branagh, Samantha Bond, Judi Dench, John Gielgud, Richard Briers, Derek Jacobi and Simon Callow.
    • 3/5
      A classic book that has been rehashed and regurgitated ad nauseum for almost 500 years, it's little surprise why screenwriters and book authors keep on basing stories from this tragic love story of two innocents from warring families that outright detest each other.

      Now, I know, every high school in English majority nations have plastered this author's books as the best pieces of literature of all time. For better or worse, I was not raised in a country where English is the official language and never really grew up with his work. When I finally did get a chance to read this story (translated to Spanish), maybe it was the translation that lost some of the poetic lyricism, but I found the book very hard to follow.

      I probably also felt disconnected with it because the book was written such a long time ago that the phrases used seem out of style or hard to understand. It really bogged the immersion and fun factor and made it a bit of a chore to read.

      Still, the plot is great, but I would have probably enjoyed it more if there was a more modernized and less poetic version of the prose to aid in my commoner ears.
    • 3/5
      An accessible version of Romeo and Juliet with gorgeous artwork by Jane Ray. This version includes lines of the play, definitions of various words and explanatory intros for each scene. A good supplementary version to introduce the play or to add to your understanding of the original.
    • 1/5
      The only shallow, boring, and vacuous work of Shakespeare I’ve ever read. Frankly it sends a bad message that heartbreak is the end of the world. Unlikeable, boring, self-absorbed characters.
    • 4/5
      “These violent delights have violent endsAnd in their triump die, like fire and powderWhich, as they kiss, consume”This is probably Shakespeare's best-known plays but like probably the majority I hadn't previously read it. I actually find this a hard book to review simply because I knew what was going to happen beforehand so there were no real surprises.For that reason alone, maybe I'm being a bit harsh with my rating. But I have to say that it failed to really grab me. You simply have to stand back and admire the writing, many of the quotes are familiar to us and have passed the test of time but having now read this, I personally feel that 'King Lear' is still Shakespeare's greatest tragedy.“Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”
    • 2/5
      My least favorite so far by Shakespeare, only one worse is a Mid Summer-night's Dream, ugh. I like the concept of this story, but can't understand why she didn't just run away when he was exiled? I mean it's not like that was too far of a stretch? She had given/done everything else in her power for him.
    • 1/5
      Romeo and Juliet are quite possibly my least favorite romantic couple of all time. I can appreciate this as a classic, but cannot quite summon any genuine affection for it. I occupied my time reading this book by attempting to ship Juliet and Friar Laurence, although there is very limited textual support.
    • 3/5
      It's all been said.
    • 4/5
      I think this play is still quite relevant today. Very satirical. Romeo and Juliet obviously didn't have an absolute comprehension of love, which turns modern audiences away.
    • 5/5
      I think this play is strongly moving and powerfully evocative.Shakespeare's trademark lyrical prose and impressive poetry are bedewed throughout the piece.This play needs to be updated from 1611 English to 1982 English.
    • 5/5
      Worth reading for the balcony scene alone.
    • 2/5
      I always want to smack everyone for being so stupid.
    • 4/5
      Having to do an essay about it made me appreciate it more. It’s a very humorous tragedy.
    • 4/5
      Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare. Folger Shakespeare Library. 1992. As I said above, this was a book club selection. Cannot remember when I last read this play, but I loved reading it this time. How can I forget how much I love Shakespeare?!! After I read the play, I found a BBC Radio production with Kenneth Branagh playing Romeo and Judie Dench playing Nurse! I really enjoyed reading along as I listened and got more out of the play the second reading. I sort of wanted to listen to it again, but instead decided to watch Zeffierlli’s movie and am so glad I did. A great way to enjoy Shakespeare!
    • 5/5
      This play is censored in the US by ignorance; we’re it not, it would not be taught, since I.i. refers to erection, the Elizabethan word, “stand,” here pinned upon. Complete review to follow: only this note on the BEN Italian prose edition. The pun on “stand” is not rendered.
    • 3/5
      Like most, I imagine, I was forced to read this in high school (freshman year, specifically). I was no fan of Shakespeare at the time, though I've since come around somewhat. While I've not read it since, I've no real desire to. They're just a couple of horny teenagers thinking they're experiencing true love and all that. For that reason, this work does not entertain me as one might want. However, I do appreciate what it's lent to our culture, and specifically to derivative works. Without this book, we would not have West Side Story, which I do happen to be fond of.
    • 3/5
      I would've given a star for the crazy plot. But then again, that's what makes this unforgettable. The story's crazy. Also, Shakespeare's as smooth as usual, especially in the language of love. I can see why this has become a classic.
    • 4/5
      It was pretty good but some parts were confusing.
    • 5/5
      As long as you remind yourself that this is teen melodrama and not tragedy the essential vapidity of the central relationship and the frustratingly buried deeper and more complex relationships--actually all Romeo's, with Mercutio but also Benvolio, Tybalt, the priest--don't get in the way of good tawdry enjoyment. Now I think about it, Romeo's like a cryptohomoerotic sixteenth-century Archie.
    • 3/5
      It's okay. And I love the Queen Mab speech. And look, Shakespeare's SHAKESPEARE. Man knows how to write. And I get that it's not a love story and that Shakespeare knows this. Just. Everyone in this story needs to calm down like forty notches. It's histrionic. And I love Catcher in the Rye, so when I say something's histrionic, I mean it.
    • 4/5
      I like the nurse. I still don't think these dumb kids loved" each other."
    • 2/5
      READ IN ENGLISH

      I suppose this is an absolute must-read for everyone who has ever been to high school. I read it in my fifth year and actually I really couldn't understand what gave this story it's marvelous reputation.

      May Contain Some Spoilers!

      Maybe it was more normal in those days, as I'm not the slightest a professor when it comes to both English Literature/Plays and English History, but it seems at least a bit weird, to run away and kill yourself over someone you've only just met and everything. Yes, there is of course a lot of drama in it, and presumably it is better to see it on stage than to read it, but I had expected more from this story, as it is so extremely famous!