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Romeo and Juliet
This full colour graphic novel presents 'Romeo and Juliet' just as Shakespeare intended in its original and unabridged format. This is ideal for purists, students and readers who will appreciate the unaltered text.
80 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
8 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
John F. McDonald
19 books7 followersI'm a professional writer. I've had 3 novels published, with another due out in September 2009 and two more being written. I've written 2 screenplays - one of which won the IndieProducer Screenwriter Award in Los Angeles in 2009. I've also 'ghosted' books for media celebs, politicians and business-people. I've scripted award-winning TV drama and graphic novels and I've written stage plays which have been performed in London and Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 25, 2022
Primera vez leyendo este clásico (como novela gráfica) y me gustó más de lo pensado.
Romántica, trágica y colorida.
Romántica, trágica y colorida.
January 11, 2026
One of the famous,if not the most famous play William Shakespeare ever wrote. I read it in the original text, which was the archaic English and that did trouble me a lot to understand the meaning of the words and the plot,which in some points was quite overwhelming. However, Shakespeare's brilliant write, the poetic words, the emphasis on values such as romance, love, honor and dedication makes the story interesting and important to read. As the matter of fact about the Graphic Novel, it has beautiful illustrations,it fits to the story and delivers well.
December 29, 2021
I mean, it's just Romeo & Juliet in a bit easier language basically. I loved the art style though. Cute.
July 20, 2023
Hermosa historia de estos dos enamorados ❤️❤️
November 15, 2023
Not a bad adaptation. Definitely not my favorite Shakespeare play though.
August 3, 2011
Reason for Reading: I couldn't resist! This book has everything I love in one book: orphans, mysterious island, vintage photographs, creepy atmosphere and an old house. How could I not want to read it.
Here is a book that once again uses photographs and text together in a unique way. The obscure, peculiar vintage photographs are simply illustrative, but the author has had to write his story around already existing photos which enhance the story to such a degree that the book would not be what it is without them. The notes do say that "with the exception of a few that have undergone minimal postprocessing, they are unaltered." Really only one word sums up this book and that is the eponymous "peculiar" for peculiar it certainly is. This is not a fast paced book, not one that will have you racing to the end for the grand finale which may put some of the intended audience off. However, it is more meandering, taking its time, showing us all the "peculiar" characters, who and what they are, as the story unfolds.
Jacob comes to the island to get over the death of his grandfather who had told him fantastical tales of this place his whole life to prove that it is just an island after all, but he quickly learns his grandfather's tales were true. The story settles in and slowly reveals the secret of the island, the house, the children, Jacob's grandfather, and eventually Jacob's part in it all. A very moody atmospheric story that I quite enjoyed. I loved the characters and as a lover of vintage photos was totally fascinated with the photographs.
My only concern with the book is a certain tone of vulgar language coming mostly from Jacob, the narrator. There is some swearing but it is the vulgar images that certain language convey which is of more concern. The only reason I can think of this use is to show that Jacob is from the here and now, as opposed to the 1940's of the other children, though some of those boys have vulgar turns of phrase as well. I wouldn't recommend the book for younger children. Also, the book ends with the characters all set to take on a new adventure which is obviously a set-up for a second book, which is rather disappointing as I am getting tired of sequels and series these days. Whatever happened to the good ole standalone? However, teens and adults should find a rather spooky read that will keep them entertained.
Here is a book that once again uses photographs and text together in a unique way. The obscure, peculiar vintage photographs are simply illustrative, but the author has had to write his story around already existing photos which enhance the story to such a degree that the book would not be what it is without them. The notes do say that "with the exception of a few that have undergone minimal postprocessing, they are unaltered." Really only one word sums up this book and that is the eponymous "peculiar" for peculiar it certainly is. This is not a fast paced book, not one that will have you racing to the end for the grand finale which may put some of the intended audience off. However, it is more meandering, taking its time, showing us all the "peculiar" characters, who and what they are, as the story unfolds.
Jacob comes to the island to get over the death of his grandfather who had told him fantastical tales of this place his whole life to prove that it is just an island after all, but he quickly learns his grandfather's tales were true. The story settles in and slowly reveals the secret of the island, the house, the children, Jacob's grandfather, and eventually Jacob's part in it all. A very moody atmospheric story that I quite enjoyed. I loved the characters and as a lover of vintage photos was totally fascinated with the photographs.
My only concern with the book is a certain tone of vulgar language coming mostly from Jacob, the narrator. There is some swearing but it is the vulgar images that certain language convey which is of more concern. The only reason I can think of this use is to show that Jacob is from the here and now, as opposed to the 1940's of the other children, though some of those boys have vulgar turns of phrase as well. I wouldn't recommend the book for younger children. Also, the book ends with the characters all set to take on a new adventure which is obviously a set-up for a second book, which is rather disappointing as I am getting tired of sequels and series these days. Whatever happened to the good ole standalone? However, teens and adults should find a rather spooky read that will keep them entertained.
March 23, 2010
Johnathan Dove
Class: 810
3/22/10
READERS RESPONSE:
I have completed the book, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This authentic and tragic story was one of my favorite books yet. It’s been a while since I picked up a love story, so I was surprised at how content I was with reading it. Even though it was written in the most complicating way, it seemed so original and I would hate reading it in any other way.
Romeo and Juliet is about two lovers who come from two separate enemy families. The families were the Montague’s and the Capulet’s. The families really hated each other; they would brawl in public and threaten death upon each other, the hate was so bad that Romeo and Juliet had to have a secret marriage, and Juliet had to fake her death to see her husband. The worst part was that both Romeo and Juliet accidentally killed themselves for each other because of their families.
What I like to point out about the book is the language it uses. Romeo and Juliet is a play that was written by Shakespeare a number of years ago. In that time period, these words were common, and reading now was so new and unfamiliar that at first was almost impossible to read, but as I pushed, words, then sentences and, even paragraphs became easier to read. I remember reading a line by Romeo (Act 1. sc.5): O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn do despair. Honestly, I don’t fully understand this line, but I feel that it is so deep and so lovely.
With that said, Romeo and Juliet was so touching and it is my favorite play. My favorite part of the entire story was the prologue because of the language, and the fact that it explained the whole story. It had so much structure and so detailed that reading it makes you want to act it out on the spot.
Class: 810
3/22/10
READERS RESPONSE:
I have completed the book, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This authentic and tragic story was one of my favorite books yet. It’s been a while since I picked up a love story, so I was surprised at how content I was with reading it. Even though it was written in the most complicating way, it seemed so original and I would hate reading it in any other way.
Romeo and Juliet is about two lovers who come from two separate enemy families. The families were the Montague’s and the Capulet’s. The families really hated each other; they would brawl in public and threaten death upon each other, the hate was so bad that Romeo and Juliet had to have a secret marriage, and Juliet had to fake her death to see her husband. The worst part was that both Romeo and Juliet accidentally killed themselves for each other because of their families.
What I like to point out about the book is the language it uses. Romeo and Juliet is a play that was written by Shakespeare a number of years ago. In that time period, these words were common, and reading now was so new and unfamiliar that at first was almost impossible to read, but as I pushed, words, then sentences and, even paragraphs became easier to read. I remember reading a line by Romeo (Act 1. sc.5): O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn do despair. Honestly, I don’t fully understand this line, but I feel that it is so deep and so lovely.
With that said, Romeo and Juliet was so touching and it is my favorite play. My favorite part of the entire story was the prologue because of the language, and the fact that it explained the whole story. It had so much structure and so detailed that reading it makes you want to act it out on the spot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2016
The complete play is translated into plain English! 'But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun'! This title presents the tragic tale of doomed love, set in Verona, Italy, where the Montagues and the Capulets constantly feud and bring unrest to the city. So how could love possibly survive between this pair of star-crossed lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet? Only Shakespeare could take such a romantic story and turn it into a soul-searching tragedy. This was the Plain Text edition
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April 22, 2009This book was very intreging. I was able to take a look into Shakespere time to see how they talked. I read a beautiful love story about sacrifice, betrayl and tough love. After I read the novel I finally understood what the introduction was talking about. While reading I changed some of the words into modern language and I was able to understand Shakespere language. He actually talked the way we do today.
January 14, 2009
"A pair star-crossed lover..." the beinging quote. Its so sad, tragic, just tragic, and *sniff* so hard to understand. sike! It was a fanstastic book but not something I'd recommend to people unless you like reading in old-english. But you must see that movie with Leonardo DiCaprio! The movie too violent but Leonardo is so gorgeous in that movie!
January 29, 2015
This is one of the many graphic novels of the greatest love story ever told by Shakespeare. The illustrations are bold and detailed with sombre colours, reflecting the historic time in Verona. The text has been reduced and modernised. There are no sonnets, but it is a good start to begin to appreciate the storyline of this complicated and violent drama.
January 10, 2016
3.5 stars:
Its weird. I know that Romeo and Juilet is the classic tale of two love birds and everyone loves this story, but I did not. I thought that the relationship between the two was not romantic, it was rushed and unrealistic. Maybe it's because I read the graphic novel but I really did not find it as crazy good as people say. I did like the rest of the story though.
Its weird. I know that Romeo and Juilet is the classic tale of two love birds and everyone loves this story, but I did not. I thought that the relationship between the two was not romantic, it was rushed and unrealistic. Maybe it's because I read the graphic novel but I really did not find it as crazy good as people say. I did like the rest of the story though.
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November 4, 2008interesting
August 17, 2013
I thought this book was fantastic! Iv never read Romeo and Juliet so I decided to start off with this graphic novel, and I'm happy I did :)
August 27, 2013
Nedá se to popsat. To se musí přečíst.
October 20, 2014
Grafika se mi líbila a děj byl vystižený taky dobře. Je pěkné si přečíst tak známé dílo i ve více oddechové podobě. Velmi rychlé čtení - tak na půl hodiny.
May 3, 2016
This story looks amazing. Its play by William Shakesphere. They fall in love with each other. They were kill themselves.
May 21, 2016
A great and easy way to understand the story of Shakespeare's classics. Lovely illustrations too.
June 18, 2015
It was a violent book it should bea happy ending fo loves sake!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews