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tina12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lingualibri's review against another edition
4.0
This was excellent. I was actually rather surprised by how much I enjoyed it. In fact, toward the end, I couldn't put it down.
However, there were several parts where I would think, "Why are they being so silly? Oh wait...they're French." or "They aren't very good soldiers. Wait...French." In other words, it lived up to the expectations set for me by the Sesame Street spoof that my dad and I have always loved.
I can't entirely put my finger on the reasoning, but I didn't like the ending very much. Maybe it was the weakness of the female lead or the hero's mockery of death, but the final act didn't have nearly the same kind of excitement as the first four. Nonetheless, it was a very good read. I'm glad I stumbled upon this play.
However, there were several parts where I would think, "Why are they being so silly? Oh wait...they're French." or "They aren't very good soldiers. Wait...French." In other words, it lived up to the expectations set for me by the Sesame Street spoof that my dad and I have always loved.
I can't entirely put my finger on the reasoning, but I didn't like the ending very much. Maybe it was the weakness of the female lead or the hero's mockery of death, but the final act didn't have nearly the same kind of excitement as the first four. Nonetheless, it was a very good read. I'm glad I stumbled upon this play.
minnavsd's review against another edition
4.0
I was fooled when I picked this book up as it was announced as a comedy in the description. I already knew part of the story and, while some of it truly is a comedy... the ending is so heart breaking I found myself sobbing while trying to reach the end of the final act.
The characters are realistic, even if exaggerated in some aspects, but nothing that disagrees with the play tone and story. Still, they're consistent and, until the end, they keep their values and ideas (even if not in a way they do not grow).
The story is beautiful, beautifully done and used for reference in so many modern movies, books and different works of art it is a shame not to be read. The love is intense from all sides and the poetry and rimes... wow. That's how hard I believe is to find a word that describes them.
My only sorrow is that I do not know enough French to read it in the original version.
The characters are realistic, even if exaggerated in some aspects, but nothing that disagrees with the play tone and story. Still, they're consistent and, until the end, they keep their values and ideas (even if not in a way they do not grow).
The story is beautiful, beautifully done and used for reference in so many modern movies, books and different works of art it is a shame not to be read. The love is intense from all sides and the poetry and rimes... wow. That's how hard I believe is to find a word that describes them.
My only sorrow is that I do not know enough French to read it in the original version.
amanca02's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
c1nza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joshknape's review against another edition
5.0
Although I believe I first read Cyrano de Bergerac in another translation (probably Charles Marowitz's), I strongly favor Brian Hooker's English translation, so much that I'm continually annoyed at Anthony Burgess's later translation becoming seemingly more fashionable (not necessarily better). But I feel uncertain of the literal accuracy of Hooker's translation--he was a poet, and may or may not have taken liberties for beauty's sake. It's a translation of Alexandrine verse into blank verse in a different language, by a poet; literal accuracy, inasmuch as it's even possible, wasn't the point. It makes me all the more determined to read the original French when I get around to it. I want to know how closely Hooker captured it.
Despite that the fictional de Bergerac remains a hero of mine, I've also felt less comfortable with his character as I grow older: less able to relate to his egoism, pride and apparent willingness to murder. Killing someone over an insult to one's nose? I can't relate.
Despite that the fictional de Bergerac remains a hero of mine, I've also felt less comfortable with his character as I grow older: less able to relate to his egoism, pride and apparent willingness to murder. Killing someone over an insult to one's nose? I can't relate.
ashtrail's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0