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Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story
Two perennial classics--William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and the Broadway musical West Side Story --in a single volume!
The tragedy of love thwarted by fate has always intrigued writers. In the sixteenth century, William Shakespeare took this theme and fashioned one of the world's great Romeo And Juliet . In our own time, Shakespeare's drama has been used as a basis for the overwhelmingly successful musical play West Side Story . Though one of these works is set among the nobility of Verona, and the other among immigrant families of New York's West Side, both tell the story of the plight of young star-crossed lovers.
The tragedy of love thwarted by fate has always intrigued writers. In the sixteenth century, William Shakespeare took this theme and fashioned one of the world's great Romeo And Juliet . In our own time, Shakespeare's drama has been used as a basis for the overwhelmingly successful musical play West Side Story . Though one of these works is set among the nobility of Verona, and the other among immigrant families of New York's West Side, both tell the story of the plight of young star-crossed lovers.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1965
27 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
William Shakespeare
27.6k books47k 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 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 24, 2012
It's great to have those two stories in one book, especially if, like me, wanting to compare the two. On top of this, musical theatre libretti are usually rare, so it is special to have the one for West Side Story together with its most important source.
May 8, 2025
I love West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet (West Side Story more so). Average of a 4.5 (WSS is a 5 and R+J is a 4...). Also why is romeo such an idiot?
February 3, 2015
I really don't like Shakespeare. I really, really don't. I also think that Romeo and Juliet are unfathomably stupid characters, and although I applaud Shakespeare for creating such a well-loved and often repeated plot, you would have to pay me to read it again. I read it voluntarily, not for school, and I don't think I will ever change my feelings about it. As for West Side story, it isn't that special. I'm usually a fan of modern adaptations, but I'm not feeling this one.
April 2, 2008
This book was realllyyyy hard to read, and it really dragged on when we read it in class. Has shakespeare ever heard of action?? Really boring and i didnt like it. In the beginning it was ok but it's just too long.
The film is soooooo much better.. it's really sad aswell and i rly like the way they modernised it
The film is soooooo much better.. it's really sad aswell and i rly like the way they modernised it
August 8, 2020
This book has the complete play of Romeo and Juliet plus the book for the musical West Side Story (the stage one--includes stage directions including descriptions of the action of a number of scenes, script and all of the lyrics). It was helpful to read both right in a row to see the original and then the retelling set in 1950s NYC with rival gangs. To be honest, while I think I liked the original movie when I saw it as a kid (not when it was new, of course!) but when I tried to watch the movie a few years I couldn't stand it and had to turn it off. The script is better. I might try the new film version when it makes it to video or TV, but I'm not a huge fan of it. I do like some of the songs and a new film with different choreography and colours, etc, might help since that other one was made in 1961 and I don't care for the cinematography, directing, etc.
For those who don't know West Side Story, the gangs are American teens born to immigrants from Europe vs a group of teens who have come directly from Puerto Rico. Maria (Juliette) has been in the States for a month and works in a dress shop sewing; she is supposed to marry Chino and it's why her brother brought her there, but she doesn't love him. At a dance she meets Tony (the son of Polish immigrants, and "Romeo"). I won't tell you all the ways this story is like and also unlike the original, since that's a spoiler. Suffice to say that it is also a tragedy, although not played out with quite the same results.
For those who don't know West Side Story, the gangs are American teens born to immigrants from Europe vs a group of teens who have come directly from Puerto Rico. Maria (Juliette) has been in the States for a month and works in a dress shop sewing; she is supposed to marry Chino and it's why her brother brought her there, but she doesn't love him. At a dance she meets Tony (the son of Polish immigrants, and "Romeo"). I won't tell you all the ways this story is like and also unlike the original, since that's a spoiler. Suffice to say that it is also a tragedy, although not played out with quite the same results.
May 12, 2011
In the immortal words of Junie B. Jones - Wowie wow wow!!! on Romeo and Juliet. Even though I had to re-read some passages 4-5 times and STILL couldn't figure out what Shakespeare was saying, I LOVED this play. The writing was so absolutely beautiful in spots I had to re-read those just because it was so uplifting. I found myself wanting to know what happened (anyone know where I was in High School??) even though I knew the ultimate end. I didn't love West Side Story. Maybe the music helps this one out?? The one thing I didn't love about either of them, is there is no build up to this consuming love both of the couples share. They see each other once and all of the sudden they're totally committed and in love - would've liked a little more behind that sweet love.
March 21, 2009
I really liked having the Shakespearean classic tragedy and the musical based off of it in the same book. I got to see the parallels more clearly and I loved reading the songs in the book. The stage directions and character insights were well done. Putting the two respective classics side by side strengthens the fact that the story repeats through out time.
November 13, 2014
The rating is mainly for the West Side Story half. Romeo and Juliet is nowhere near being my favourite of Shakespeare's plays, but my favourite musical is and always will be West Side Story!
August 25, 2011
Only read Romeo and Juliet (most of it)--preparation for seeing the play with my family at the Shakespeare Festival. As always his play cut deep, maintain relevance in uncanny ways, and, of course, the beauty of the language.
September 30, 2011
AMAZING.
EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT. WATCH IT, LISTEN TO IT. NOW.
WEST SIDE STORY IS AMAZING, SO IS ROMEO AND JULIET. READ IT NOW. I GIVE IT 5 MILLION STARS!
TONY + MARIA = FOREVER <3 (AND ROMEO + JULIET :)
EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT. WATCH IT, LISTEN TO IT. NOW.
WEST SIDE STORY IS AMAZING, SO IS ROMEO AND JULIET. READ IT NOW. I GIVE IT 5 MILLION STARS!
TONY + MARIA = FOREVER <3 (AND ROMEO + JULIET :)
September 2, 2016
Shakespeare was a great writer and "Romeo and Juliet" is proof of that. The mark of a great writer is his/her ability to keep up discussion and the debate whether Romeo and Juliet were in love or just full of lust is a conversation that keeps on going.
January 21, 2008
this book brought together my love of period elizabethan drama and flamboyant musicals . period
April 2, 2008
romeo and juliet was boring! no offence teachers, but it dragged on, and it was confusing! i took like more then a month to read!
September 11, 2008
I had some trouble really getting into it (I only read Romeo & Juliet). We went to Shakespeare in the Park and that was really fun!
August 18, 2008
I read this in my youth BEFORE I knew they were the same story. It opened my eyes to the timelessness of the story of the power and intensity of teenage romance.
December 16, 2010
I read this edition over and over and over and over again throughout middle and high school.
Loved it.
Loved it.
October 12, 2011
I really don't see what the big deal about this story is. Why is it so famous? So many died! I was surprised that Juliet was fourteen, I had thought she was older.
August 6, 2016
Meh. Romeo and Juliet isn't my favourite really. West side story i didn't enjoy too much either. Studying them was fun but i wouldn't re-read them.
December 22, 2013
I love this novel so much.
I want to be writers like william shakespeare
I want to be writers like william shakespeare
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2015
great comparative edition. 50 years old. great notes!
September 8, 2015
West Side Story: Not my favorite! There are a few funny lines but I can't get past how quickly Tony and Maria fall in love, and the horrible mistakes they make.
June 9, 2017
Two Households, both alike in dignity...
Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale of forbidden love, and what you would do to stay with your 'one true love'. Our story starts in fair Verona, an italian town where an old grudge has resurfaced, making many a hand unclean. The Capulets and Montagues have been at each other's throats for who knows how long, their hatred so fierce that authority figures have to step in. The daughter of the Capulets, Juliet, is just thirteen, but her father dreams of marrying her off to the County Paris in hopes of raising his family's status. So sheltered by the customs of the time, Juliet is just an innocent girl hoping to find true love. Enter Romeo, son of Lord Montague and a helpless romantic. So hung up on over a girl named Rosaline, he shuts himself up in his rooms like a moody teenager. But when his cousin Benvolio coaxes him into crashing a Capulet fiesta, Romeo has no idea that his life will be changed by this party, for better or for worse. With the party in full swing, Romeo catches a glimpse of a girl across the room. When they meet, they fall madly in love with each other, unknowing of the other's family name. When Romeo runs off after the party, Benvolio and his best friend Mercutio try to call him back, but to no avail. The pair meet at Juliet's balcony, where they propose the idea of getting married the next day. At Friar Lawrence's church, the pair are wed in secret, hiding their forbidden love from their parents. Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, spotted Romeo at the party, and is hungry for revenge. But, after brief conversation with Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo walks right into Tybalt's hands. But instead of a fight. Romeo falls to his knees, submitting to Tybalt, who is now his cousin because of his marrige to Juliet. Mercutio, enraged by Romeo's 'vile submission' begins a fight with Tybalt that results in his death. In anger, Romeo kills Tybalt. When the Prince finds out, Romeo is banished to Mantua! He goes to Friar Lawrence, saying that death is better than banishment because he must live without Juliet. The Friar says that Romeo needs to wait awhile until things die down, then he can come back and they will announce their marriage from the rooftops. Meanwhile, Capulet is arranging Juliet's marriage to Paris, which is to happen in a few days. Romeo goes to say goodbye to Juliet, which causes the young capulet to break into a new wave of tears as her love departs. When Lady Capulet tells Juliet of her arranged marriage to Paris in a hope to cheer her up (she thinks Juliet is crying over tybalt's death.), Juliet says no. Her father threatens to kick her off the streets if she does not oblige, so Juliet goes to the Friar in need of a solution. If he doesn't find one, she will kill herself rather than marry Paris. The friar offers her a potion that will make her appear dead for 42 hours. He will send word to Romeo, so he doesn't think that she is actually dead. When she awakens, she will be with Romeo who can whisk her away to Mantua. She agrees, and goes home to her father. She tells him that she will agree to the marriage, which causes Lord Capulet to move it to Wednesday, which would be tomorrow. Juliet takes the potion, causing the entire Capulet family to be distraught over her death. Romeo does not receive the Friar's letter, so he goes to the apothecary asking for a poison to kill him. He goes to the charnel house and drinks the poison with Juliet, after killing Paris who was at the entrance. When Juliet awakes, she sees Romeo and stabs herself with his dagger. In their memory, the capulets and montagues erect a large gold statue of the pair and end the feud. This was a terrific story which I would reccomdend to anyone who is interested in Shakespeare!! Go to this link for my review on the other half of the book, west side story! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale of forbidden love, and what you would do to stay with your 'one true love'. Our story starts in fair Verona, an italian town where an old grudge has resurfaced, making many a hand unclean. The Capulets and Montagues have been at each other's throats for who knows how long, their hatred so fierce that authority figures have to step in. The daughter of the Capulets, Juliet, is just thirteen, but her father dreams of marrying her off to the County Paris in hopes of raising his family's status. So sheltered by the customs of the time, Juliet is just an innocent girl hoping to find true love. Enter Romeo, son of Lord Montague and a helpless romantic. So hung up on over a girl named Rosaline, he shuts himself up in his rooms like a moody teenager. But when his cousin Benvolio coaxes him into crashing a Capulet fiesta, Romeo has no idea that his life will be changed by this party, for better or for worse. With the party in full swing, Romeo catches a glimpse of a girl across the room. When they meet, they fall madly in love with each other, unknowing of the other's family name. When Romeo runs off after the party, Benvolio and his best friend Mercutio try to call him back, but to no avail. The pair meet at Juliet's balcony, where they propose the idea of getting married the next day. At Friar Lawrence's church, the pair are wed in secret, hiding their forbidden love from their parents. Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, spotted Romeo at the party, and is hungry for revenge. But, after brief conversation with Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo walks right into Tybalt's hands. But instead of a fight. Romeo falls to his knees, submitting to Tybalt, who is now his cousin because of his marrige to Juliet. Mercutio, enraged by Romeo's 'vile submission' begins a fight with Tybalt that results in his death. In anger, Romeo kills Tybalt. When the Prince finds out, Romeo is banished to Mantua! He goes to Friar Lawrence, saying that death is better than banishment because he must live without Juliet. The Friar says that Romeo needs to wait awhile until things die down, then he can come back and they will announce their marriage from the rooftops. Meanwhile, Capulet is arranging Juliet's marriage to Paris, which is to happen in a few days. Romeo goes to say goodbye to Juliet, which causes the young capulet to break into a new wave of tears as her love departs. When Lady Capulet tells Juliet of her arranged marriage to Paris in a hope to cheer her up (she thinks Juliet is crying over tybalt's death.), Juliet says no. Her father threatens to kick her off the streets if she does not oblige, so Juliet goes to the Friar in need of a solution. If he doesn't find one, she will kill herself rather than marry Paris. The friar offers her a potion that will make her appear dead for 42 hours. He will send word to Romeo, so he doesn't think that she is actually dead. When she awakens, she will be with Romeo who can whisk her away to Mantua. She agrees, and goes home to her father. She tells him that she will agree to the marriage, which causes Lord Capulet to move it to Wednesday, which would be tomorrow. Juliet takes the potion, causing the entire Capulet family to be distraught over her death. Romeo does not receive the Friar's letter, so he goes to the apothecary asking for a poison to kill him. He goes to the charnel house and drinks the poison with Juliet, after killing Paris who was at the entrance. When Juliet awakes, she sees Romeo and stabs herself with his dagger. In their memory, the capulets and montagues erect a large gold statue of the pair and end the feud. This was a terrific story which I would reccomdend to anyone who is interested in Shakespeare!! Go to this link for my review on the other half of the book, west side story! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 30, 2023
I read Romeo and Juliet for the first time in years. I was doing research for an article on alliteration. Hot take for theatre kids, but this is definitely my favorite Shakespeare show (besides King Lear).
Interestingly, I had a used, censored copy. Shoutout to Scott and Friar Joe for censoring Romeo's Act III Scene III monologue where he laments not being able to sleep with Juliet because of his banishment. It's not really explicit, but maybe the proximity of sex and suicide was too much for them?
I don't think we talk enough about how the Montague and Capulets are fighting for no reason. By the time the play starts, they've forgotten the reason for their quarrel and it isn't until six people (five of them children) are dead that they agree to bury the hatchet. A good point of "the kids suffer and die for the parent's mistakes" that gets lost in all the beautiful lovey-dovey stuff.
Sidenote, does anyone remember making fun of R and J because they fell in love so quickly? I guess in HS English class, we didn't have the self-awareness to see ourselves in them. That's a shame if you ask me...
Anyway, I'm going to watch the DiCaprio movie now because it rocks.
Interestingly, I had a used, censored copy. Shoutout to Scott and Friar Joe for censoring Romeo's Act III Scene III monologue where he laments not being able to sleep with Juliet because of his banishment. It's not really explicit, but maybe the proximity of sex and suicide was too much for them?
I don't think we talk enough about how the Montague and Capulets are fighting for no reason. By the time the play starts, they've forgotten the reason for their quarrel and it isn't until six people (five of them children) are dead that they agree to bury the hatchet. A good point of "the kids suffer and die for the parent's mistakes" that gets lost in all the beautiful lovey-dovey stuff.
Sidenote, does anyone remember making fun of R and J because they fell in love so quickly? I guess in HS English class, we didn't have the self-awareness to see ourselves in them. That's a shame if you ask me...
Anyway, I'm going to watch the DiCaprio movie now because it rocks.
June 8, 2017
I started skimming this book and eventually ended up reading it, alongside Romeo and Juliet. The two books are both very similar, for two "lovers" from completely different sides fall deeply in love, although they aren't supposed to. In West Side story however, the story is about two gang members (both from the Shark “clan” and the Jet “clan”), on opposing sides that fall to a plummeting hill of love, fighting for the ultimate “high status” of the city. The two come from opposite backgrounds, which plays another big role as to why they shant be together. Tony and Maria (the two lovers) somehow form a Romeo and Juliet kind of love, resulting in plenty of unlawful ways (trying not to give spoilers).
September 9, 2022
"I can kill now because I hate now."
Review for West Side Story.
I thought West Side Story was a fun retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Reading this has made me want to watch a stage adaptation of it now. I would have loved to hear the music along while reading the script.
The social commentary was great, particularly its focus on racial prejudices, the detrimental effects of poverty, and conflicts of the law. I found Lt. Schrank's monologue quite interesting. He's a terrible person, but his monologue was so fun to read. Similarly, I enjoyed Maria's monologue near the end.
Review for West Side Story.
I thought West Side Story was a fun retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Reading this has made me want to watch a stage adaptation of it now. I would have loved to hear the music along while reading the script.
The social commentary was great, particularly its focus on racial prejudices, the detrimental effects of poverty, and conflicts of the law. I found Lt. Schrank's monologue quite interesting. He's a terrible person, but his monologue was so fun to read. Similarly, I enjoyed Maria's monologue near the end.
August 13, 2022
A great and fun edition to the classic story of Romeo and Juliet!!
I’ve read Romeo and Juliet before and reading it again I loved it more. I also loved how this book compares and discusses the similarities of both stories. It allows you to understand both stories in a whole new lens. Would recommend to readers to read this book if they enjoy watching the films and have not read Romeo and Juliet. This book is a great start to get into more of Shakespeares works as it also includes annotations!
I’ve read Romeo and Juliet before and reading it again I loved it more. I also loved how this book compares and discusses the similarities of both stories. It allows you to understand both stories in a whole new lens. Would recommend to readers to read this book if they enjoy watching the films and have not read Romeo and Juliet. This book is a great start to get into more of Shakespeares works as it also includes annotations!
May 28, 2025
the ending of west side story (and the entire musical) crushes me every single time I experience it. 😭💔
my first ever read-through of Romeo and Juliet! I actually liked it more than I expected. it's such a well known story, but it was more beautiful and the actions more logical in the context of the original work and its time period.
my first ever read-through of Romeo and Juliet! I actually liked it more than I expected. it's such a well known story, but it was more beautiful and the actions more logical in the context of the original work and its time period.
April 11, 2023
Dieses Buch musste ich in der 8. Klasse lesen und es hat mich unglaublich überfordert. Das Buch ist durch die extrem veraltete Schreibweise, nur sehr schwer zu lesen und meines Erachtens nach ziemlich veraltet. Die Grundstory ist eigentlich genauso schön wie sie traurig und ergreifend ist. Jedoch sind viele Passagen einfach kaum bis gar nicht verständlich. Vor allem für Kinder ist diese Geschichte einfach nicht mehr geeignet.
December 3, 2017
I had to lower the rating because of Romeo & Juliet--not a fan.
June 1, 2018
Good book, started reading and had a hard time putting it down and I recomend watching the musical with it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews