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Romeo and Juliet: A Three-Day Situationship with a Body Count
A Three-Day Situationship with a Body Count
Two teenagers meet at a party. Six people die. Shakespeare called it romance.
This edition keeps every word of the original play and adds the commentary you always wanted in the margins: sharp, funny, and brutally honest about impulsive teenagers, terrible adult supervision, and the most overdramatic relationship in literary history.
Questionable Classics: the books you were assigned… with the commentary you deserved.
Two teenagers meet at a party. Six people die. Shakespeare called it romance.
This edition keeps every word of the original play and adds the commentary you always wanted in the margins: sharp, funny, and brutally honest about impulsive teenagers, terrible adult supervision, and the most overdramatic relationship in literary history.
Questionable Classics: the books you were assigned… with the commentary you deserved.
258 pages, ebook
Published April 15, 2026
About the author
William Shakespeare
24.9k books48.1k followersWilliam Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 Stars
One Liner: Man, this was good!
We all know the classic play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare. What if you can read it with some sassy one-liners and humorous commentary about the drama in it?
My Thoughts
This isn’t a book trying to play a literary critic and dissect a classic play. It’s a compilation of random thoughts that might pop up when we read certain books/plays/etc.
Not all comments are funny, but most of the ones that were meant to be were. Again, a personal preference, so it could be different for you.
It is not all snark and sass, though. The author also points out the use of wordplay by different characters and their distinctiveness. I love the analysis where she shows that Juliet uses language better than anyone else in the play. Given how she doesn’t have any agency, she uses whatever tools she can to handle the situations.
As we reach the darker scenes, the tone also changes, showing what Shakespeare did when structuring the play and how he created such a long-lasting impact.
The commentary is not about insulting the work or poking fun. It is more of a humorous analysis combined with realistic reactions. The author doesn’t just leave it there. She compares people, events, and situations to modern times and exposes the parallels. The note at the end is terrific. It is not about laughing at dramatic teens.
To summarize, Romeo and Juliet*: A Three-Day Situationship with a Body Count is an entertaining and insightful commentary on the play and how it still (sadly) very much aligns with the modern world.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sterling & Stone (Story Merchants), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
One Liner: Man, this was good!
We all know the classic play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare. What if you can read it with some sassy one-liners and humorous commentary about the drama in it?
My Thoughts
This isn’t a book trying to play a literary critic and dissect a classic play. It’s a compilation of random thoughts that might pop up when we read certain books/plays/etc.
Not all comments are funny, but most of the ones that were meant to be were. Again, a personal preference, so it could be different for you.
It is not all snark and sass, though. The author also points out the use of wordplay by different characters and their distinctiveness. I love the analysis where she shows that Juliet uses language better than anyone else in the play. Given how she doesn’t have any agency, she uses whatever tools she can to handle the situations.
As we reach the darker scenes, the tone also changes, showing what Shakespeare did when structuring the play and how he created such a long-lasting impact.
The commentary is not about insulting the work or poking fun. It is more of a humorous analysis combined with realistic reactions. The author doesn’t just leave it there. She compares people, events, and situations to modern times and exposes the parallels. The note at the end is terrific. It is not about laughing at dramatic teens.
To summarize, Romeo and Juliet*: A Three-Day Situationship with a Body Count is an entertaining and insightful commentary on the play and how it still (sadly) very much aligns with the modern world.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sterling & Stone (Story Merchants), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
May 23, 2026
Obviously, reading this based on the commentary and what the stated goal was, not the story of Romeo and Juliet itself. Thank you NetGalley for access to this and these are my honest thoughts
Now, overall, I feel like much of this commentary was helpful. However, there’s another part of me that felt like this was the equivalent of a substitute teacher trying to be cool and relate to their teenage students (picture Lin-Manuel Miranda in that one SNL sketch). Some parts and editorialization were funny, some parts a bit lackluster. But overall,, I enjoyed myself and having a reason to revisit Romeo and Juliet.
***Some of the more helpful analysis/commentary:
-I now understand that R&J’s first conversation is a perfect 14 line sonnet made of back and forth iambic pentameter
-Pointing out Juliet’s more effective rhetoric compared to Romeo’s more lengthy dialogue
-“friar’s plan is the central plan in miniature… The plan doesn’t fail because of bad luck. It fails because it was built on the same foundation of secrecy and control that created the crisis in the first place.”
***Some of the funnier analysis/commentary:
-“Bromeo”
-“Your SI proves you’re ready for this dangerous scheme” as the Friar helps Juliet craft the plan to avoid marriage with Paris
-Pointing out the comparison that Juliet‘s father is planning a wedding while she’s pulling a knife in a church
-“The Nurse is making sex jokes to someone she thinks is sleeping but who appears to be dead”… see him previously pointing out the nurse enjoys sex jokes the same way Michael Scott enjoys a that’s what she said joke
Definitely an easy read, and would be a good jumping point for some discussions and criticism from people who wanted to break down the story even more. Thank you NG!
Now, overall, I feel like much of this commentary was helpful. However, there’s another part of me that felt like this was the equivalent of a substitute teacher trying to be cool and relate to their teenage students (picture Lin-Manuel Miranda in that one SNL sketch). Some parts and editorialization were funny, some parts a bit lackluster. But overall,, I enjoyed myself and having a reason to revisit Romeo and Juliet.
***Some of the more helpful analysis/commentary:
-I now understand that R&J’s first conversation is a perfect 14 line sonnet made of back and forth iambic pentameter
-Pointing out Juliet’s more effective rhetoric compared to Romeo’s more lengthy dialogue
-“friar’s plan is the central plan in miniature… The plan doesn’t fail because of bad luck. It fails because it was built on the same foundation of secrecy and control that created the crisis in the first place.”
***Some of the funnier analysis/commentary:
-“Bromeo”
-“Your SI proves you’re ready for this dangerous scheme” as the Friar helps Juliet craft the plan to avoid marriage with Paris
-Pointing out the comparison that Juliet‘s father is planning a wedding while she’s pulling a knife in a church
-“The Nurse is making sex jokes to someone she thinks is sleeping but who appears to be dead”… see him previously pointing out the nurse enjoys sex jokes the same way Michael Scott enjoys a that’s what she said joke
Definitely an easy read, and would be a good jumping point for some discussions and criticism from people who wanted to break down the story even more. Thank you NG!
March 30, 2026
Advance copy received from Netgalley.
As someone who has always loved Romeo and Juliet, I was really excited to pick this one up, and overall, I had a great time with it. Shakespeare adaptations and commentary can be very hit or miss for me because I’m a pretty big Shakespeare fan, and sometimes modern takes can feel a little too surface-level or like they miss the heart of the original work. That said, Ellis Keen’s take on Romeo and Juliet felt thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly relevant.
While there were definitely a few moments where the commentary didn’t fully align with how I personally interpret Shakespeare or the original text, I still really appreciated the perspective this book brought. It felt less like a dismissal of the classic and more like a conversation with it, which I enjoyed. I especially liked how the author connected the themes of the story to current times and modern relationship dynamics, social pressures, and the way we tend to romanticize intensity.
What worked best for me was that this didn’t feel like it was trying to “fix” Romeo and Juliet, but rather examine why it still resonates, why it’s so often misunderstood, and why people continue to return to it. Even when I didn’t fully agree with every point, I found the discussion interesting and worthwhile.
If you enjoy classics, literary commentary, or re-examining well-known stories through a modern lens, this is definitely worth picking up. It may not have perfectly matched all of my personal views as a Shakespeare reader, but it was smart, compelling, and clearly written with a lot of passion.
I can’t wait to see what Ellis Keen does next!
As someone who has always loved Romeo and Juliet, I was really excited to pick this one up, and overall, I had a great time with it. Shakespeare adaptations and commentary can be very hit or miss for me because I’m a pretty big Shakespeare fan, and sometimes modern takes can feel a little too surface-level or like they miss the heart of the original work. That said, Ellis Keen’s take on Romeo and Juliet felt thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly relevant.
While there were definitely a few moments where the commentary didn’t fully align with how I personally interpret Shakespeare or the original text, I still really appreciated the perspective this book brought. It felt less like a dismissal of the classic and more like a conversation with it, which I enjoyed. I especially liked how the author connected the themes of the story to current times and modern relationship dynamics, social pressures, and the way we tend to romanticize intensity.
What worked best for me was that this didn’t feel like it was trying to “fix” Romeo and Juliet, but rather examine why it still resonates, why it’s so often misunderstood, and why people continue to return to it. Even when I didn’t fully agree with every point, I found the discussion interesting and worthwhile.
If you enjoy classics, literary commentary, or re-examining well-known stories through a modern lens, this is definitely worth picking up. It may not have perfectly matched all of my personal views as a Shakespeare reader, but it was smart, compelling, and clearly written with a lot of passion.
I can’t wait to see what Ellis Keen does next!
March 23, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC of Romeo and Juliet by Ellis Keen (from the Questionable Classics series—aka “the books you were assigned…with the commentary you deserved”) I was expecting something gimmicky, and instead got one of the most genuinely enjoyable ways to revisit Shakespeare.
This edition stays faithful to Shakespeare’s original text while layering in modern, sharp, and often hilarious commentary that actually enhances the experience rather than distracting from it. The updated notes make the language feel immediate and accessible without stripping away its poetry, which is a rare balance to pull off.
The added commentary feels like the inner monologue you wish you had while reading Shakespeare in school, pointing out the drama, the absurdity, and the very real teenage chaos at the heart of the story. It makes you realize just how relatable (and honestly, a little unhinged) these characters are. It is like sitting next to a snarky audience member who keeps leaning over making side comments.
This version transforms Romeo and Juliet from something you had to analyze into something you actually want to read. It is smart, funny, and incredibly approachable. This version is perfect for students, reluctant readers, or anyone who wants to revisit a classic with an additional updated twist .
I would specifically recommend Ellis Keen’s version for anyone who’s ever thought, “I probably would’ve liked this more if someone just explained it like a normal person.”
This edition stays faithful to Shakespeare’s original text while layering in modern, sharp, and often hilarious commentary that actually enhances the experience rather than distracting from it. The updated notes make the language feel immediate and accessible without stripping away its poetry, which is a rare balance to pull off.
The added commentary feels like the inner monologue you wish you had while reading Shakespeare in school, pointing out the drama, the absurdity, and the very real teenage chaos at the heart of the story. It makes you realize just how relatable (and honestly, a little unhinged) these characters are. It is like sitting next to a snarky audience member who keeps leaning over making side comments.
This version transforms Romeo and Juliet from something you had to analyze into something you actually want to read. It is smart, funny, and incredibly approachable. This version is perfect for students, reluctant readers, or anyone who wants to revisit a classic with an additional updated twist .
I would specifically recommend Ellis Keen’s version for anyone who’s ever thought, “I probably would’ve liked this more if someone just explained it like a normal person.”
March 25, 2026
“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
What is there to say about Romeo and Juliet that hasn’t already been discussed at length? I think that’s why I was so drawn to this book because it is the full play plus commentary from Ellis Keen.
Her description - Ellis Keen reads the books you were assigned in high school and says things your English teacher couldn’t was spot on! She had some great commentary that made me laugh out loud or nod my head in agreement.
Things like:
Shakespeare told you the ending before the story starts. That’s not an accident. He doesn’t want you wondering what happens, he wants you watching how it happens.
He literally just said “I’ve never actually been in love before” AFTER SPENDING THREE SCENES CRYING ABOUT ROSALINE. The poetry is gorgeous. The self-awareness is catastrophic.
Tybalt heard someone appreciating beauty and poetry and thought IT’S MURDER TIME.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this advanced reader copy. I think I enjoyed this more now than I did in high school. And in high school we watched all the movie versions (in and outside of school) as well as discussed the book at length for a whole semester.
I’m surprised to see that it is no longer on the curriculum for high schools (at least in Queensland, Australia) maybe they don’t want kids reading a book about a murder-suicide of some barely teenagers.
What is there to say about Romeo and Juliet that hasn’t already been discussed at length? I think that’s why I was so drawn to this book because it is the full play plus commentary from Ellis Keen.
Her description - Ellis Keen reads the books you were assigned in high school and says things your English teacher couldn’t was spot on! She had some great commentary that made me laugh out loud or nod my head in agreement.
Things like:
Shakespeare told you the ending before the story starts. That’s not an accident. He doesn’t want you wondering what happens, he wants you watching how it happens.
He literally just said “I’ve never actually been in love before” AFTER SPENDING THREE SCENES CRYING ABOUT ROSALINE. The poetry is gorgeous. The self-awareness is catastrophic.
Tybalt heard someone appreciating beauty and poetry and thought IT’S MURDER TIME.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this advanced reader copy. I think I enjoyed this more now than I did in high school. And in high school we watched all the movie versions (in and outside of school) as well as discussed the book at length for a whole semester.
I’m surprised to see that it is no longer on the curriculum for high schools (at least in Queensland, Australia) maybe they don’t want kids reading a book about a murder-suicide of some barely teenagers.
May 26, 2026
I absolutely loved the premise of this series. The “Questionable Classics” editions take the books we were all assigned in high school and add margin commentary filled with honesty, humor, and hindsight. Keeping the full original text while adding modern commentary makes the play feel accessible without losing what makes it a classic.
This edition fully embraces how chaotic this story really is. Benvolio being described as the only character with a “functioning prefrontal cortex” made me laugh out loud. The commentary points out all the wild choices: Juliet is only thirteen, Romeo goes from heartbreak over Rosaline to “Juliet is my soulmate” in less than 24 hours, and the friar’s “brilliant” plan depends on perfect timing, flawless communication, zero unexpected complications, and a reliable medieval postal system (obviously doomed).
At the same time, this edition still lets the genuinely romantic moments shine. I loved the commentary pointing out that Romeo and Juliet are literally writing a sonnet together and finishing each other’s sentences in iambic pentameter when they first meet.
I really enjoyed reading this and honestly wanted even more commentary. If Shakespeare felt intimidating in school, this book is accessible and entertaining without losing the original play. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, and Story Merchants for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.
This edition fully embraces how chaotic this story really is. Benvolio being described as the only character with a “functioning prefrontal cortex” made me laugh out loud. The commentary points out all the wild choices: Juliet is only thirteen, Romeo goes from heartbreak over Rosaline to “Juliet is my soulmate” in less than 24 hours, and the friar’s “brilliant” plan depends on perfect timing, flawless communication, zero unexpected complications, and a reliable medieval postal system (obviously doomed).
At the same time, this edition still lets the genuinely romantic moments shine. I loved the commentary pointing out that Romeo and Juliet are literally writing a sonnet together and finishing each other’s sentences in iambic pentameter when they first meet.
I really enjoyed reading this and honestly wanted even more commentary. If Shakespeare felt intimidating in school, this book is accessible and entertaining without losing the original play. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, and Story Merchants for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As an English teacher, I could see myself using segments of this book to break down challenging scenes for my students. There s some good theme work and the language is modern an conversational - with using slang, there is a danger though. I think the language in this addition will probably be outdated in 5 years, so I wouldn't recommend buying tons of class copies. Perhaps an ebook. The humor was actually laugh-out-laugh for me several times, and there were valuable takeaways. However, not all of the commentary actually added anything. There were many long and difficult passages that didn't have summaries, and some scenes where the author was cracking jokes every other line. By the way, a lot of the jokes had the same sentence structure or were repeated... While I felt like it had a human touch for sure, there was sometimes a feeling like it was just what ChatGPT might say in response to those lines. It lost its novelty partway through, and at least for me, I believed that there wasn't as much value adding in section. At least the conclusion for sure was worth it, but sometimes jokes were added just for the sake of trying to be funny, and it did not help the reader understand what is happening nor provide any depth of analysis. I did very much enjoy this read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Full text of Romeo and Juliet with entertaining and thought provoking commentary.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC My review is voluntary
It was fascinating to read the play from the 2o26 perspective. How things have changed. A very long time ago I studied under the academics who were at the time developing the literary theory of Presentism, which changed the way English Literature is taught. None of them, not even our ardent feminist professor, mentioned the issue what is now glaringly obvious. Juliet is a child. This proves their point; that historical text is inevitably shaped by the reader's experience in the present. It is so reassuring to see that young people are being taught Shakespeare with reference to all the awareness of issues that are now being spoken about.
So what of those young people that this book is obviously aimed at? One slight reservation. Teens can be a cynical bunch. Old people are trying to make the laugh is embarrassing. The book has probably been stress tested for this and hopefully they will read it because it is excellent.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC My review is voluntary
It was fascinating to read the play from the 2o26 perspective. How things have changed. A very long time ago I studied under the academics who were at the time developing the literary theory of Presentism, which changed the way English Literature is taught. None of them, not even our ardent feminist professor, mentioned the issue what is now glaringly obvious. Juliet is a child. This proves their point; that historical text is inevitably shaped by the reader's experience in the present. It is so reassuring to see that young people are being taught Shakespeare with reference to all the awareness of issues that are now being spoken about.
So what of those young people that this book is obviously aimed at? One slight reservation. Teens can be a cynical bunch. Old people are trying to make the laugh is embarrassing. The book has probably been stress tested for this and hopefully they will read it because it is excellent.
April 29, 2026
Viewing a classic play through contemporary eyes🎭
3-3.5🌟 stars
It took me a number of days to get through this play as I had to consume it in small bites. My problem was with the original Shakespeare text which, to me, descended too often into gibberish and obscure references lost to the typical modern reader. I'd never read it before and I really think this is a play to be viewed on stage or screen, not read. But Keen did a good job of inserting asides to sum up some of Shakespeare's gymnastic wordplay in a wry way. Just not often enough. That said, if I hadn't had Keen's witty and sarcastic comments I would not have gotten past page five! Romeo, Mercutio and the young men of the play gave me a headache. Juliet is the standout character for the clarity and brevity of her lines.
I also appreciated the Afterword "Aftermath" which made more sense of this tragedy than even the commentary notes.
Thanks to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
3-3.5🌟 stars
It took me a number of days to get through this play as I had to consume it in small bites. My problem was with the original Shakespeare text which, to me, descended too often into gibberish and obscure references lost to the typical modern reader. I'd never read it before and I really think this is a play to be viewed on stage or screen, not read. But Keen did a good job of inserting asides to sum up some of Shakespeare's gymnastic wordplay in a wry way. Just not often enough. That said, if I hadn't had Keen's witty and sarcastic comments I would not have gotten past page five! Romeo, Mercutio and the young men of the play gave me a headache. Juliet is the standout character for the clarity and brevity of her lines.
I also appreciated the Afterword "Aftermath" which made more sense of this tragedy than even the commentary notes.
Thanks to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This edition of Romeo and Juliet pairs Shakespeare’s original text with modern commentary by Ellis Keen, and I found it completely engaging from the first page.
I went through a Shakespeare phase in college and own his complete works, but I haven’t revisited them in years. Reading this made me want to pick them up again—this time with a different perspective.
The commentary woven throughout the text was my favorite part. I’m usually a fast reader and rarely stop to reread passages, but I often found myself going back to sections after reading the notes. They encouraged me to slow down and think more deeply about the language and themes.
Shakespeare can feel like an entirely different language for new readers, so I think this edition would be especially helpful for students. At the same time, it’s just as enjoyable for readers who want to revisit the play with fresh insight.
I went through a Shakespeare phase in college and own his complete works, but I haven’t revisited them in years. Reading this made me want to pick them up again—this time with a different perspective.
The commentary woven throughout the text was my favorite part. I’m usually a fast reader and rarely stop to reread passages, but I often found myself going back to sections after reading the notes. They encouraged me to slow down and think more deeply about the language and themes.
Shakespeare can feel like an entirely different language for new readers, so I think this edition would be especially helpful for students. At the same time, it’s just as enjoyable for readers who want to revisit the play with fresh insight.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I never thought I would be re-reading Romeo and Juliet having had two college courses on Shakespeare.
This book was entertaining to read! I found myself laughing out loud with the commentary and explanations in modern terms. It was refreshing to read someone else's take on such a studied and famous work.
Now, to why I rated it a 4 star. The commentary began to morph into what felt more like a term paper/analysis assignment. It still explains in modern terms what happened in a scene, but in an analytical way, whereas in the beginning of the book it was more translating a scene into funny/relatable terminology.
Also, the ending commentary was exactly like a thesis wrap-up in a term paper. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I had some good laughs and it sure brought up memories of college classes! Now I'm off to watch Romeo + Juliet with Leo and Claire 😄
This book was entertaining to read! I found myself laughing out loud with the commentary and explanations in modern terms. It was refreshing to read someone else's take on such a studied and famous work.
Now, to why I rated it a 4 star. The commentary began to morph into what felt more like a term paper/analysis assignment. It still explains in modern terms what happened in a scene, but in an analytical way, whereas in the beginning of the book it was more translating a scene into funny/relatable terminology.
Also, the ending commentary was exactly like a thesis wrap-up in a term paper. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I had some good laughs and it sure brought up memories of college classes! Now I'm off to watch Romeo + Juliet with Leo and Claire 😄
June 8, 2026
Stars: 3.5
My first play in script is so long. It was a nice change of pacing for reading. Not to mention it has been years since I read this in 10th grade. Lovely memories.
My favorite part does have to be the authors comments through out the play. While some of the comments felt unnecessary or obvious, some made the scenes much better. Especially the rewording of some of the play into current phrasing that those reading it now would understand.
Thanks to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, / My love as deep; the more I give to thee, / The more I have, for both are infinite" - Act 2 Scene 2
This will always be my favorite like in this play.
My first play in script is so long. It was a nice change of pacing for reading. Not to mention it has been years since I read this in 10th grade. Lovely memories.
My favorite part does have to be the authors comments through out the play. While some of the comments felt unnecessary or obvious, some made the scenes much better. Especially the rewording of some of the play into current phrasing that those reading it now would understand.
Thanks to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, / My love as deep; the more I give to thee, / The more I have, for both are infinite" - Act 2 Scene 2
This will always be my favorite like in this play.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
POV: Romeo and Juliet finally has the commentary it deserved.
Ellis Keen turned Shakespeare’s most chaotic love story into something hilarious and ridiculously fun to read. The added commentary had me laughing while also breaking down the scenes in a way that actually makes the story easier to understand.
It’s witty, relatable, and somehow manages to make a centuries-old tragedy feel fresh again.
Honestly? Reading this felt like having a very funny friend sitting next to me whispering, “Okay but why are these teenagers making such terrible life choices?”
Shakespeare… but make it entertaining.
Ellis Keen turned Shakespeare’s most chaotic love story into something hilarious and ridiculously fun to read. The added commentary had me laughing while also breaking down the scenes in a way that actually makes the story easier to understand.
It’s witty, relatable, and somehow manages to make a centuries-old tragedy feel fresh again.
Honestly? Reading this felt like having a very funny friend sitting next to me whispering, “Okay but why are these teenagers making such terrible life choices?”
Shakespeare… but make it entertaining.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hilarious! It’s genius.
Here’s a taste:
“If this random guy I kissed twice is married, I’ll die.” She spoke to him for three minutes.
I don’t care how poetic you think this is, climbing walls to get to someone’s house without their knowledge or consent is stalking.
It’s seriously laugh out loud funny. The wit is relentless, yet the poetry survives. Spoiler alert: The romance does not.
I hope Keen will follow up with the entire Shakespeare folio!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Here’s a taste:
“If this random guy I kissed twice is married, I’ll die.” She spoke to him for three minutes.
I don’t care how poetic you think this is, climbing walls to get to someone’s house without their knowledge or consent is stalking.
It’s seriously laugh out loud funny. The wit is relentless, yet the poetry survives. Spoiler alert: The romance does not.
I hope Keen will follow up with the entire Shakespeare folio!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 21, 2026
I have read Romeo and Juliet since high school and I honestly didn’t get the language at all and I know it was written a long time and it a classic read but this vision of the book was so funny with the author putting her own take on this and how she though how each of the characters in this play on how she portray them. I love she put in some laughing moment because everyone know how this story ends and it so heartbreaking but I’m glad I got to read this classic again and see how other people put their own personal perspective on the story.
April 27, 2026
Confesso que escolhi este livro pois sempre quis ler Romeu e Julieta no formato original. Então, quando vi esta arc na netgalley, aproveitei.
Gostei da abordagem, e dos comentários do autor. No entanto, acho que se perdeu um pouco nas coisas que dizia.
Acima de tudo, é uma história que foi escrita num outro tempo. Claro que romantizamos algo que fez 0 sentido quando analisamos, mas temos que ter em conta a época em questão.
No entanto, foi uma experiência interessante, e quero ler mais clássicos comentados por este autor.
Gostei da abordagem, e dos comentários do autor. No entanto, acho que se perdeu um pouco nas coisas que dizia.
Acima de tudo, é uma história que foi escrita num outro tempo. Claro que romantizamos algo que fez 0 sentido quando analisamos, mas temos que ter em conta a época em questão.
No entanto, foi uma experiência interessante, e quero ler mais clássicos comentados por este autor.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I never thought I would ever reread Romeo and Juliet almost 20 years out of high school. But here we are. Keen’s commentary is hilarious and insightful and brings new light to the obviously troublesome story Shakespeare presented so long ago.
March 26, 2026
This version of "Romeo and Juliet" not only offers the full original text, but also adds modern commentary that gives fun recaps on the the stage play, adds a modern perspective, and some food for thought.
I also really liked the short summary / thesis statement at the end of the book.
I would definitely read other books from the series.
I also really liked the short summary / thesis statement at the end of the book.
I would definitely read other books from the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thanks netgalley and Ellis Keen for the ARC.....
This was a fun read Romeo and Juliet with a fun take from the mind of Ellis Keen, so much fun to read some extra thoughts from one else
I remember reading this classic story years ago. even though it ends in tragedy its worth the read.......
This was a fun read Romeo and Juliet with a fun take from the mind of Ellis Keen, so much fun to read some extra thoughts from one else
I remember reading this classic story years ago. even though it ends in tragedy its worth the read.......
June 13, 2026
Romeo and Juliet is my favorite play, so I was very excited to read this. I really enjoyed the commentary and the explanations of what was going on right before. The only thing I would want would be a little more to the commentary, like explaining things a little more. Otherwise, it was great! I’d love to read more books/plays with this commentary in them!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We didn't study Shakespeare's works at my schools, so my knowledge of Romeo and Juliet, in particular, is only from the Baz Luhrmann film and the jukebox musical (which I love). I'm also intimidated by verse, hence why this book was the perfect way to finally explore the original text.
The commentaries were great. Some were really funny. More importantly, they were informative, nailing the important parts and tackling the text with modern lens (I mean, the subtitle uses 'situationship' right there). I also just loved how it felt like I was reading an annotated book? We've got SparkNotes of the classics out there, sure, but I don't want detailed study guides.
I'm definitely reading more classics if they're done in this way!
We didn't study Shakespeare's works at my schools, so my knowledge of Romeo and Juliet, in particular, is only from the Baz Luhrmann film and the jukebox musical (which I love). I'm also intimidated by verse, hence why this book was the perfect way to finally explore the original text.
The commentaries were great. Some were really funny. More importantly, they were informative, nailing the important parts and tackling the text with modern lens (I mean, the subtitle uses 'situationship' right there). I also just loved how it felt like I was reading an annotated book? We've got SparkNotes of the classics out there, sure, but I don't want detailed study guides.
I'm definitely reading more classics if they're done in this way!
May 27, 2026
This would be perfect for someone reading Romeo and Juliet for the first time, especially a freshman in high school. The notes from the author made me giggle at times but they truly helped understand in basic language what was being said appealing more to the young generation but even fans of the work can find this a quick fun read
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