The Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson ★ (Hogarth Shakespeare series)

[Blueberry]

The Hogarth series is a modern retelling of some of Shakespeare's works. They currently include The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, and the one this book was based on, The Winter's Tale.
This story had all the classic Shakespeare elements: rage, jealousy, revenge, love, forgiveness. But...I didn't like it. And if anyone has noticed I do like Shakespeare.
I could follow the original Shakespeare storyline here but it just had too much internal philosophising. Babbling on about stuff that made no sense. Except they weren't soliloquies because they weren't aloud but I didn't know who was thinking them. A lot of my reading I did before bed so maybe I was too tired to follow it or to care?
Towards the middle of the book I did like the character interaction (Well, maybe beginning to middle), but by the end there had been added 3 more characters and the bantering back and forth between characters became unenjoyable to me. As all Shakespeare comedies do, it has a happy ending.
This from Wikipedia about The Winter's Tale. "Although it was grouped among the comedies...Some critics consider it to be one of Shakespeare's "problem plays", because the first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending."
This description fits The Gap of Time well.

[Jen]

That's too bad. I really enjoyed the book and thought Winterson was masterful in the way she adapted the play.

[Hope]

Oh no! Being of fan of both Shakespeare and Winterson I was hoping to give this one a try! Have you read anything else by her?

[Blueberry]

No I haven't. This was my first book of hers. But the book has mostly favorable reviews so you may enjoy it, especially if you like the author.

[Jen]

Hope wrote: "Oh no! Being of fan of both Shakespeare and Winterson I was hoping to give this one a try! Have you read anything else by her?"

I gave it 4.5 stars. I love Shakespeare and I love Winterson. I can see how if you are not a fan of her work in general that you may not like this book.

I kind of wish you do read it so I can see what you think. My co-blogger also read it and loved it. I think she gave it 5 stars. She is also a big fan of Winterson.

[Hope]

Good to know Jen! I'll put it on my tbr :-)