Bionic Jean’s review of Romeo and Juliet > Likes and Comments
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Jean, You are fond of writing long reviews. To tell you the truth, I did not read the full review. I read only the quotes and I relived the entire play. For I had read the play few times and I loved it. Will read the entire review later.
LOL! Then I am pleased I chose quotes which you found apt, Dhanaraj!
When a book merits five stars, then I try my best to write a review which will do it justice, in tribute :)
Hahaha! Would you believe I found "To be or not to be, that is the question," within the Goodreads list of quotations from this play, Chris?
Go on - have a look! :D
Jean the review is magnificent you write with eloquence and passion on a play that must have been reviewed a trillion times, yet you have captured the the esscence of Shakespeare in yours. The quotes you have picked are perfect. x
Aw, thanks Tracey. You're right, it probably has been reviewed many, many times, yet it can say different things to every one of us, can't it? I'm so pleased to be reading Shakespeare again :)
I like the history you give here, Jean. Very informative.
How long does it take you to write a review? They are often long and detailed and good that I realize how much time and effort you put into them. Thanks for that.
It is so nice of you, Susan, to say that you appreciate my reviews! Thank you very much!
This one took me three days, although I did do some reading too :) I am finding that writing a review really helps me to consolidate my thoughts, and remember the book. I hate to think how many books I have read over the years and just have no memory of!
If others enjoy them too, that is really lovely :)
Thank you to Cheryl too :) Background history can really add to the enjoyment sometimes, can't it.
Great review, Jean. It is interesting to remember that Juliet was only 13; modern renditions of this play always have her cast as older than that.
They were literature's doomed young lovers.
For the uninitiated, reading Romeo and Juliet along with a study guide often helps decipher Shakespeare's language, in my opinion. Your provision of background history was excellent.
Yes, it's difficult to find young leads capable of enunciating clearly enough for Shakespeare. It's interesting to think that originally all the parts would have been played by men anyway...:D
I read the play this time on a tablet. I haven't had this one for very long though, so didn't feel confident enough to switch to the dictionary at the end for fear of losing my place! I think if you're English anyway (as I am) then the language is not too difficult, except for odd words which we no longer use. It isn't middle English after all. I have more problems with unfamiliar dialects. I was thrilled to discover a "highlighting" facility though! Perfect for recording the quotations I wanted to remember :)
And thank you, Bette :)
Brilliant review Jean! I relived the play all over again! And I love the background information you present.
Again, a great review which I really enjoyed, and learnt from.
Referring to your last paragraph, it's possibly best of all to read the play carefully first, then see a performance (as long as you know the story already). Then you get the best of both worlds?
Jean, this is such a fantastically well-written and well-informed review! Thank you so much for it! I've never read the play before (the only Shakespearean play I've ever read is Macbeth and it was in my high school days, so I only have a hazy memory of it). But the 1968 film starring Olivia Hussey as Juliet and Leonard Whiting as Romeo and the song "What is a Youth" made such an indelible impression on me. Now having read your review, I'm itching to read the play :-)
That's a lovely thing to say Alice, thank you so much! One of the great things about Goodreads is that we can share our enthusiasms, and I too love reading a review which makes me get out there, find the book, and read it!
I was unprepared for how much I would enjoy reading this play. Yes, I agree, John. I did exactly what you suggest with The Winter's Tale a few years go. I didn't know the play at all, so read it before going to a performance at "Shakespeare's Globe" Theatre. I'm sure I enjoyed it more as a result.
In this case I watched the latest film version (2013) afterwards. This was a breathtaking piece of cinematography, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't quite the same as the stage though. For a start Julian Fellowes had rewritten parts of it!! It all sounded authentic, and I wouldn't have noticed had I not just read it, but improving on Shakespeare! Really? Having said that, the locations were stunning and acting mostly excellent. I too remember the 1968 film, Alice, but am not sure how well it stands up now we are all so used to CGI effects.
It's lovely that this brought it all back for you, Charbel. Thank you all for your encouraging comments, Charbel, John and Alice. It really makes it worth putting the time in :)
Wonderful review! Must re-read this one:)
Thank you so much, Rowena :) I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Thank you very much Stephanie! I hope you do read it again and enjoy it :) Whenever I read a Shakespeare play on the page, I always seem to end up wanting to see a performance of it :D
Lovely review, Jean! Definitely I hope to this classic in the future.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it Alejandro, so I hope you do too :) And thanks!
Quite informative! We did not read any Shakespeare in high school at all, so the only play of his that I have actually read was Richard III far later in life when I went back to university.
I have, however, seen this one performed - by an all-male cast years ago in New York. Only character I can recall clearly from that is The Nurse.
Performed as it originally was, of course! My brother and my husband both went to an all-male school where the female character roles in Shakespeare's plays were taken by boys in their performances. I went to an all girls school - but we chickened out and "borrowed" a few boys for ours!
Once again, an excellent and thoughtful review. For me, Shakespeare’s plays are most enjoyed when performed. If there is an unfamiliarity with language, clues as to meaning can be found in physical expressions and vocal deliveries. I was extremely fortunate in that when I was “forced” to read ROMEO AND JULIET in school, a revival of Franco Zeffirelli’s film version was in the theaters and, though edited, the play was so understandable and enjoyable. I’ve loved Shakespeare ever since and, while I can read his plays and gain insight, I’m most often “moved” when I see them on the stage.
This is such a great review! I’m so glad that you analyzed it so thoroughly and gave us so much extra information! 😂
Jim wrote: "Once again, an excellent and thoughtful review ... I was extremely fortunate in that when I was “forced” to read ROMEO AND JULIET in school, a revival of Franco Zeffirelli’s film version was in the theaters ..."
Oh yes, we went to see that one from school too, and I loved it :) Thank you Jim, and I do apologise for the very late reply!
Rita - that made me laugh - and is the sort of thing I might have done, had we not all gone in the evening :)
Again, apologies, but these two comments didn't seem to come up in my notifications at the time.
Greta wrote: "This is such a great review! I’m so glad that you analyzed it so thoroughly and gave us so much extra information! 😂"
You're welcome Greta! I'm pleased you enjoyed it :)
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Dhanaraj
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Apr 13, 2014 12:22PM
Jean, You are fond of writing long reviews. To tell you the truth, I did not read the full review. I read only the quotes and I relived the entire play. For I had read the play few times and I loved it. Will read the entire review later.
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LOL! Then I am pleased I chose quotes which you found apt, Dhanaraj!When a book merits five stars, then I try my best to write a review which will do it justice, in tribute :)
Excellent good, i'faith. (Wrong play, but never mind.)
Hahaha! Would you believe I found "To be or not to be, that is the question," within the Goodreads list of quotations from this play, Chris?Go on - have a look! :D
Jean the review is magnificent you write with eloquence and passion on a play that must have been reviewed a trillion times, yet you have captured the the esscence of Shakespeare in yours. The quotes you have picked are perfect. x
Aw, thanks Tracey. You're right, it probably has been reviewed many, many times, yet it can say different things to every one of us, can't it? I'm so pleased to be reading Shakespeare again :)
I like the history you give here, Jean. Very informative.
How long does it take you to write a review? They are often long and detailed and good that I realize how much time and effort you put into them. Thanks for that.
It is so nice of you, Susan, to say that you appreciate my reviews! Thank you very much!This one took me three days, although I did do some reading too :) I am finding that writing a review really helps me to consolidate my thoughts, and remember the book. I hate to think how many books I have read over the years and just have no memory of!
If others enjoy them too, that is really lovely :)
Thank you to Cheryl too :) Background history can really add to the enjoyment sometimes, can't it.
Great review, Jean. It is interesting to remember that Juliet was only 13; modern renditions of this play always have her cast as older than that. They were literature's doomed young lovers.
For the uninitiated, reading Romeo and Juliet along with a study guide often helps decipher Shakespeare's language, in my opinion. Your provision of background history was excellent.
Yes, it's difficult to find young leads capable of enunciating clearly enough for Shakespeare. It's interesting to think that originally all the parts would have been played by men anyway...:DI read the play this time on a tablet. I haven't had this one for very long though, so didn't feel confident enough to switch to the dictionary at the end for fear of losing my place! I think if you're English anyway (as I am) then the language is not too difficult, except for odd words which we no longer use. It isn't middle English after all. I have more problems with unfamiliar dialects. I was thrilled to discover a "highlighting" facility though! Perfect for recording the quotations I wanted to remember :)
And thank you, Bette :)
Brilliant review Jean! I relived the play all over again! And I love the background information you present.
Again, a great review which I really enjoyed, and learnt from.Referring to your last paragraph, it's possibly best of all to read the play carefully first, then see a performance (as long as you know the story already). Then you get the best of both worlds?
Jean, this is such a fantastically well-written and well-informed review! Thank you so much for it! I've never read the play before (the only Shakespearean play I've ever read is Macbeth and it was in my high school days, so I only have a hazy memory of it). But the 1968 film starring Olivia Hussey as Juliet and Leonard Whiting as Romeo and the song "What is a Youth" made such an indelible impression on me. Now having read your review, I'm itching to read the play :-)
That's a lovely thing to say Alice, thank you so much! One of the great things about Goodreads is that we can share our enthusiasms, and I too love reading a review which makes me get out there, find the book, and read it!I was unprepared for how much I would enjoy reading this play. Yes, I agree, John. I did exactly what you suggest with The Winter's Tale a few years go. I didn't know the play at all, so read it before going to a performance at "Shakespeare's Globe" Theatre. I'm sure I enjoyed it more as a result.
In this case I watched the latest film version (2013) afterwards. This was a breathtaking piece of cinematography, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't quite the same as the stage though. For a start Julian Fellowes had rewritten parts of it!! It all sounded authentic, and I wouldn't have noticed had I not just read it, but improving on Shakespeare! Really? Having said that, the locations were stunning and acting mostly excellent. I too remember the 1968 film, Alice, but am not sure how well it stands up now we are all so used to CGI effects.
It's lovely that this brought it all back for you, Charbel. Thank you all for your encouraging comments, Charbel, John and Alice. It really makes it worth putting the time in :)
Wonderful review! Must re-read this one:)
Thank you so much, Rowena :) I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Thank you very much Stephanie! I hope you do read it again and enjoy it :) Whenever I read a Shakespeare play on the page, I always seem to end up wanting to see a performance of it :D
Lovely review, Jean! Definitely I hope to this classic in the future.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it Alejandro, so I hope you do too :) And thanks!
Quite informative! We did not read any Shakespeare in high school at all, so the only play of his that I have actually read was Richard III far later in life when I went back to university. I have, however, seen this one performed - by an all-male cast years ago in New York. Only character I can recall clearly from that is The Nurse.
Performed as it originally was, of course! My brother and my husband both went to an all-male school where the female character roles in Shakespeare's plays were taken by boys in their performances. I went to an all girls school - but we chickened out and "borrowed" a few boys for ours!
Once again, an excellent and thoughtful review. For me, Shakespeare’s plays are most enjoyed when performed. If there is an unfamiliarity with language, clues as to meaning can be found in physical expressions and vocal deliveries. I was extremely fortunate in that when I was “forced” to read ROMEO AND JULIET in school, a revival of Franco Zeffirelli’s film version was in the theaters and, though edited, the play was so understandable and enjoyable. I’ve loved Shakespeare ever since and, while I can read his plays and gain insight, I’m most often “moved” when I see them on the stage.
This is such a great review! I’m so glad that you analyzed it so thoroughly and gave us so much extra information! 😂
Jim wrote: "Once again, an excellent and thoughtful review ... I was extremely fortunate in that when I was “forced” to read ROMEO AND JULIET in school, a revival of Franco Zeffirelli’s film version was in the theaters ..."Oh yes, we went to see that one from school too, and I loved it :) Thank you Jim, and I do apologise for the very late reply!
Rita - that made me laugh - and is the sort of thing I might have done, had we not all gone in the evening :)Again, apologies, but these two comments didn't seem to come up in my notifications at the time.
Greta wrote: "This is such a great review! I’m so glad that you analyzed it so thoroughly and gave us so much extra information! 😂"You're welcome Greta! I'm pleased you enjoyed it :)
