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amn028's review against another edition
2.0
I was expecting something completely different and so I'm not sure if my disappointment was due to that or the book itself. The story was okay and some of the characters were interesting. However, at times it felt like a slog to get through. When it was good, it was really good. The ending was worth the slog through.
skullfullofbooks's review against another edition
It feels empty, almost like the author took the play and just added a touch more to it. There's no real sense of setting or place in time. It might be my fault for not knowing the play it's based on but we hit the section where the 13 year old is flirting with men and saying she's in her 20s and I was like, I'm good. I'll tap out.
ldv's review against another edition
4.0
A very intellectual and elegant re-imagining Merchant of Venice. In this version, the events we know from the play have occurred and Shylock finds himself in the home of a non-religious Jew Strukowotsky (or something like that, I forget how to spell it). Shylock is more or less a household name. However, events extremely like those of Shakespeare's play happen in this version and Shylock gets to comment on the why and how his story unfolded like it did, plus he gets to advise on how he might do it differently if he was faced with the situation again. There are lots of "line dropping" (lines from the play inserted into the novel) sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. The parallel characters all have similar names, so that makes the parallels easy. Plus, if you're Jewish, you'll probably get more out of the discussions about what it means to be a Jew or not, traditions or religions, than I did. I suspect this book is more intelligent than I could discern (mainly for the Judaism discussions), and it uses big words. The writing style is also a bit different, though I couldn't put my fingers on it. I really like this one, but its audience is definitely Shakespeare-lovers.
quercus707's review against another edition
4.0
A good retelling deepens our understanding of and engagement with the original work. This book succeeded. It's not exactly Shylock's side of the story, but it engages you with Shylock's point of view and makes a difficult character much more understandable. Very clever spin on all the characters and the plot points. Portia has been violated, but I'm willing to let that go given how well done the story was.
georgiaand's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ricefun's review against another edition
2.0
I've been looking forward to reading this installment of the Hogarth Shakespeare series since I heard Jacobson being interviewed on Fresh Air several years ago. I've been enjoying reading the modern adaptations that the Hogarth series is commissioning, and really thought that this would be a great opportunity to read an adaptation of a play that I'm less familiar with.
I had a very difficult time making myself finish this book. There were eye-opening portions of the story, and I appreciate the opportunity to experience one snapshot of a current Jewish experience. With that being said, the entire book was so dark and dismal. This certainly may be the reality of some experiences, but I also know both Shakespeare and Judaism are elevated by their ability to incorporate light and lightheartedness into heavy subjects. This just didn't work for me as a great adaptation.
I had a very difficult time making myself finish this book. There were eye-opening portions of the story, and I appreciate the opportunity to experience one snapshot of a current Jewish experience. With that being said, the entire book was so dark and dismal. This certainly may be the reality of some experiences, but I also know both Shakespeare and Judaism are elevated by their ability to incorporate light and lightheartedness into heavy subjects. This just didn't work for me as a great adaptation.
ladimcbeth's review against another edition
2.0
I tried to care, I really did. I just...couldn't. I worked at this book for almost 8 weeks and just couldn't get through it. And in the end I gave up.
thedarmainitiative's review against another edition
1.0
I stopped reading at page 92. I have no idea what the author was trying to say and life is too short to waste trying to figure it out.
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
3.0
As the name suggests, this is a modern author's take on retelling The Merchant of Venice for a contemporary audience. I often enjoy Shakespeare adaptations that are done well, so of course I figured I'd check this one out. Unfortunately, I wasn't as impressed with this one as I'd hoped. Jacobson's take on the story is confusing, incredibly complex, and difficult to wade through. I'm not sure if he intended it as more of an intellectual take than a literary one, but it came across to me as highly inaccessible in the writing style and overall storytelling.
That said, it is a creative take in comparing the original tale to how a similar situation might play out in the modern world. For the concept alone, I do have to give the author some credit. And that's why this pulls three stars from me when I probably would have been inclined to rate it lower based on my overall enjoyment and reading of the book.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review.]
That said, it is a creative take in comparing the original tale to how a similar situation might play out in the modern world. For the concept alone, I do have to give the author some credit. And that's why this pulls three stars from me when I probably would have been inclined to rate it lower based on my overall enjoyment and reading of the book.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review.]