Romeo and Juliet: A Novel

De: David Hewson

Narrado por: Richard Armitage

Exclusively written for Audible, only available in audio

"I think Romeo and Juliet is the greatest, most tragic love story ever told. What David Hewson did with this script is so exciting to me. I really love the fact that he followed avenues that Shakespeare suggested but didn't necessarily detail in depth. If you want to immerse yourself in a warm bath of Garganega and the heat of Verona and hear a brilliant story about a young woman who is challenging the restraints of her time, listen to this audiobook, which has romance, poetry, politics, and humor to spare." (Narrator Richard Armitage)

It's a story you think you know: the age-old tale of "star-cross'd lovers"; two families at war; a romance, so pure and absolute, fated for a tragic end. It's a story so thoroughly embedded in our culture, and so frequently retold. Yet, nothing captures the spark, the possibility, and the surprise of Shakespeare's work quite like this....

In Romeo and Juliet: A Novel, author David Hewson reworks and expands on the classic story so that it becomes something richer, something new and entirely its own. Much more than a simple love story, it is a brilliant examination of young versus old, hope against despair, and, for Juliet, the search for individual identity at a time when women were regarded as little more than chattel.

An original production commissioned by Audible, Romeo and Juliet: A Novel marks the second pairing of David Hewson and actor Richard Armitage, whose previous partnership resulted in Audible's 2014 Audiobook of the Year, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel. Hewson's talent for writing for audio is undeniable, and he finds his perfect vocal foil in Armitage, an actor of immense range and absorbing intensity. Together, they bring you a familiar story told in a surprising way - with an ending you might not expect.

Bonus: Audiobook includes an afterword written and narrated by David Hewson.

About the author: David Hewson is a British author of more than 20 works of fiction, including the Nic Costa detective series, set in contemporary Italy, and three novels based on the hit TV series, The Killing. For Audible, Hewson contributed to the serial novel The Chopin Manuscript, winner of the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year. And, with A.J. Hartley, Hewson has adapted Shakespeare twice before: Macbeth: A Novel, narrated by Alan Cumming, and Audible's 2014 Audiobook of the Year Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel, performed by Richard Armitage.

About the narrator: Richard Armitage is a British film, television, theater, and voice actor. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Armitage landed his first leading role in the British television show North & South. Peter Jackson cast Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the company of dwarves in The Hobbit films, bringing him international recognition. Since then, Armitage has appeared in numerous productions, including widely-praised performances on stage in The Crucible and Love, Love, Love, along with acclaimed roles on TV in NBC's Hannibal and Berlin Station on Epix.

©2016 David Hewson (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Consummate actor Richard Armitage narrates this dynamic reimagining of Romeo and Juliet. It's an ideal construct for those reluctant to pursue Shakespeare. In addition to using contemporary slang, the author gives the followers of the Montague and Capulet families street cred: They wear red or blue feathers in their hats. Armitage makes even secondary characters unique, with Romeo's and Juliet's fathers sounding like the bitter old men they are. The standout is Juliet's nurse, who provides comic relief. Chapter transitions are faultless, and descriptions of people and places are stellar. Juliet's social conscience, specifically her desire to teach the peasants to read, adds further depth. Hewson boldly alters the story's conclusion. In an author's note, Hewson explains that Shakespeare was inspired by an Italian play similar to Romeo and Juliet. Hewson adds that to him the story is about the contrast between older and younger generations as they react to change." ( AudioFile Magazine)

Hewson & Armitage - Romeo & Juliet

What made the experience of listening to Romeo and Juliet: A Novel the most enjoyable?

Richard Armitage's amazing voice, of course!

Which character – as performed by Richard Armitage – was your favorite?

No surprise, probably the nurse. Richard Armitage does such a great job with character voices, and especially quirky older ones!

Any additional comments?

Hewson is an amazing writer, and his Hamlet collaboration with Armitage is one of my very favorite audiobooks. Somehow I was not quite satisfied with the ending, perhaps because the original story is almost archetypal to me - it's probably just me, though as it's quite well written. Knowing it's switched up a bit keeps you on your toes while listening, in a way. I like the way Hewson fleshed out the personalities of Romeo and Juliet, and "modernized" them, if you will. Richard Armitage doesn't "read" audiobooks, he "portrays" them! I can read much faster than I can listen to audiobooks, but the way Armitage performs them makes it an experience! (And I could never speed up his reading, that's heresy!) I highly recommend Romeo and Juliet to you!

And Shakespeare ... ?

There are many I am certain who have and who will enjoy this very modernist retelling of one of the great bard's most famous tragedies. I must admit I looked forward to a fleshing out of the characters myself and was interested especially as to whether the author would lean toward the romantic, or the failure-of-child-to-be-obedient moral. It seems he took a middle road and leaned to neither, bringing forward the bitter feud of the families as his main object of interest. His characters were all excellently brought to life, except his Juliet, I think; who was far more fit to be a young woman of the late twentieth century than the late fifteenth where he 'set[s his] scene'. She is the only character I find out of place. Indeed I am not certain Shakespeare would have recognized her, nor would he have appreciated the almost without exception negative view of God and the Christian Church the author sometimes subliminally, sometimes openly inserts whenever possible. In the end, and regardless of the author's excellent ability to give the time, place, and each character full telling, I am happy to recall the original will be that version remembered.

Read to me Richard Armitage...

Pleasantly surprised! I did not realize what I was getting myself into when I downloaded this story. It gave some characters I thought I knew so much more depth. I loved that there was historical value thrown in there also. Oh, and most importantly, I could listen to Richard Armitage read about anything...sigh.

Heartfelt adaptation of a classic love story

Where does Romeo and Juliet: A Novel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's in the top five.

What did you like best about this story?

The story surrounds the fictional characters with actual events, people, and location of the time. It gives the listener a sense of the period. The arts, politics, and scandals embellish Romeo and Juliet(especially Juliet). The overreaction to the breakout of small-pox(thinking it was the plague) highlighted how fear mongering can affect a society. The lovers exhibit the conflicts of the time(even the weather) Juliet is portrayed as a strong young lady with independent thought and wonder. I loved her introspection.The conversations and responses she had with her parents, Romeo,or even the Friar are something you would expect from a modern lady. It was refreshing. I chuckled when Juliet objected about the wedding vow of "obey". It reminded me of a wedding of a colleague in which that vow was spoken(only the bride), and the attendees(especially the women) were taken aback. The elaborate dinner afterwards(8 course meal) and libations calmed the crowd down,so all went well. Also,I will never look at eating an apple the same again thanks to David wonderful scene with Juliet-the apple-Romeo. David wedding night scene was breath taking. I was happy I was home and not driving when these scenes were being spoken. The conclusion of the adaptation was not expected but it was wonderful. It fell in-line with the development of Juliet, and I appreciated it.

What about Richard Armitage’s performance did you like?

Richard's ability to change voices and make the unique is wonderful. I knew which character was speaking, as well as the overall narrator, and not once thought "Richard". His voice is delicious on its own. He transfers that hue to all the characters. I can listen to his voice and walk into a pole..it so mesmerizing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I don't know. There are so many wonderful aspects to this adaptation. I would fail to capture it with a tag line.

Any additional comments?

I wish this adaptation could be compiled into a book. Not only David original work but include all the background material of the time. The arts, scandals, the politics that was such an wonderful part of this story.

I loved this book!

This was a wonderful listen and I thoroughly enjoyed Hewson’s adaptation and Armitage’s reading. I now want to read their collaboration on Hamlet. I subscribed to Audible for just this type of original story telling and books only available through Audible.

Love this adaptation

This was written with a modern understanding of the time period and had elements I really enjoyed imagining.
I will look for more of this authors' work:)
I was hoping for a different story and I got it!

The Hewson&Armitage duo strikes again!

David Hewson gives a renewed and sparkling lymph to the story,Richard Armitage gives literally life to it with his well known acting and,expecially,interpretative skills.A well knit team.Brilliant!

Excellent retelling; perfect performance

Romeo and Juliet was never a favorite of mine. Not sure why actually, but this modern...dare I say feminist. .. retelling has captured me. Juliet's personality is suprisingly layered and quite powerful. Romeo is tender and endearing and tragically inspiring for our central heroine. Mr. Hewson has won a fan and I look forward to enjoying his other works.

Richard Armitage...really need I say more. Just perfect.

Exceptional story telling and performance

What an amazing, beautiful interpretation of a classic. The deeper delve into the world of the other characters provides a fast richer experience. Likewise, the narration is nuanced, pitch perfect and fitting of this incredible work. I'll be looking for works by both the writer and the narrator.

Richard Armitage is in a class of his own.

Richard Armitage has ruined me for other narrators. He elevates any material he touches. Because of his masterful interpretation and deliverance, it is hard to be completely objective when reviewing the story itself. David Hewson, however, by providing flesh for lesser characters and settings, such as Nurse and Mercutio (my favorite performances by Mr. Armitage), aging Juliet to a more palatable 16 and giving her a strong, feminist voice, has infused new life to an old tale without disconnecting it from its roots.