I have a little confession…I have NO (none, zero, zip, nada, zilch) interest in reading Shakespeare anymore.
I have read a few of his plays… back in my high school days. You know, when I had to. There was Romeo and Juliet (forbidden love, death), Julius Caesar (betrayal, death), The Merchant of Venice (“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, blah, blah, blah…”), and All’s Well That Ends Well (par-tay!).
And then there are Macbeth and Othello. Two plays I have never read, have no intention of ever reading, but am still curious about, mostly because it seems like you can’t turn a page without running into a reference from them.
So when I saw the novelization of Macbeth was available at Audible, I was all “Sweet!”
And then I listened to it, and I’m all “Not sweet!” There’s sex! And that makes me sound like a literary prude, which I so am not. While I have absolutely nothing against sex in books, I’d been listening to Macbeth: A Novel and trying to envision it being performed, and well, ummm, yeah. That part really didn’t work for me, especially since it was pretty graphic.
Also, I know it’s a novelization, which means things were changed or embellished, and I’m down with that, too, but since I don’t know much of the original story (there’s a king, and some guys who are not the king, and some prophesying by three witches (aka The Weird Sisters (which totally explains the title of a book I read last year)) and some plotting, and then one of the guys who was not the king is now the king, and then things just go to shit after that) it was hard to know what was true to the play and what wasn’t.
In short, not my best idea. Even though I now get who the Weird Sisters are.
Are you sure you don’t like Shakespeare?
Okay, okay, I know most people aren’t really into it. I enjoy him from time to time.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Teaching Notes: Ideas Needed
The only Shakespeare I have ever read is Romeo and Juliet and that was a must for school. I got the bright idea that I would read all of his plays one day, and downloaded The Complete Shakespeare on my e-reader, but so far, I haven’t opened it. I am not sure I ever will, though I would love to be able to say that I have read a few of his plays.
zibilee´s last [type] ..2012 UCF Book Festival Spotlight
Yeah, this probably isn’t for me either.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: The Weird Sisters
I guess in theory I’d like to read Shakespeare to understand some of the basis for other great stories, but in reality I have no interest in it. But lol at this whole post, you are funny.
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last [type] ..The Question Game
I’m anti-Shakespeare too.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Magical March and DWJ Month
I love Shakespeare and I’m fascinated by MacBeth. But his plays should really be seen, not read, imho.
heidenkind´s last [type] ..The Wrong Clothes, the Wrong Man?
I used to like Shakespeare, but haven’t read him in a decade. I should read an old favorite to see how I feel about him now. I have seen quite a bit of Shakespeare performed ove the years and that really is the best way to experience him, I think.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..February’s 5 Word Movie Reviews – Join in & win $ for charity
You would actually think that you wouldn’t have to embellish a lot to turn a play into a novel. All you have to do is add the location descriptions, the character movements, etc – all the stuff that is usually in a book that you don’t bother with in a play. Why would you possibly need to add sex??
Lisa´s last [type] ..Bleak House Readalong – Week One
I am not big into Shakespeare either, but I was trying to change that this year… In January I succeeded and am fizzling out all ready…
Kailana´s last [type] ..Fair Game: An Alpha & Omega Novel (Book 3) by Patricia Briggs
I’m always amazed at where Shakespeare will pop up in recent culture (Sons of Anarchy). But novelization? Looks like someone’s trying to make a buck!
Trish´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon 60 – March Reading Wahoo! And Giveaway!
I LOVE Macbeth – it’s my favorite play by Shakespeare so far. This novel sounds interesting, though I bet the play is better. I agree with someone above that they are better watched, though.
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From everything I’ve heard, you have to see Shakespeare performed BY REALLY GOOD ACTORS to really appreciate it.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.
I’m glad you read it so now I don’t have to. I don’t know why Shakespeare is required in high school. Adults might be more willing to read his works if we didn’t have it forced down our throats as kids.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon: Gratitude and a Question about ARCs
Actually had one of the high school kids tell me that the only thing she really loves is Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. She wanted to know if she could check it out. I said, “Sure, assuming it’s on a shelf here somewhere.” (hey – I was a substitute!) and sure enough, she came back with a tiny green 1959 hardbound copy and told me it was her 5th time to check it out! I was dumbstruck. She really was a cutie. Odd, but very cute.
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