natcommon's review against another edition
5.0
This was so much fun! I’m a fan of Star Wars and William Shakespeare so it was the perfect book for me. I laughed so much and just enjoyed myself.
hstapp's review against another edition
2.0
So I don't know about this book. I found the beginning to be quite boring, but started to enjoy it more toward the ending. There were still a few boring sections in the ending segment, but the characters were beginning to become more distinct. I think that, like with most plays I would appreciate a production of this, while not enjoying it as reading material. That said... Oh my goodness! Look at that artwork! It is so beautiful. Really even if my review puts you of of it, go to the library and look at all the pictures.
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
Oh I just loved this! I nice little added twist to the Star Wars fandom, and Shakespeare. While of course there were some parts that were like REALLY?! Trying a bit too hard, but I still loved it. I really hope this continues into the other episodes of Star Warts. It was nice that there were hints to future/past stories I need more.
tlfuller13's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious! it was very well adapted. i really loved how well put together it was! I do recommend listening to the audio version if you can't get through reading a shakespeare's play, or you have a road trip. it makes it easier to hear the jokes and the cast did a wonderful job.
thechristined's review against another edition
5.0
The first time I saw William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, all I could think was ‘why?’ Why would anyone write that, why would anyone read it. But at the same time, I was also a bit intrigued. As a Star Wars fan who is also an admirer of Shakespeare’s works, how could I not? Each time I saw a copy, my resolve weakened, until last week when I finally decided I had to read it. I am so incredibly glad I did.
The book was very easy to get sucked into – I knew the story so well and everything I loved was there, but with a Shakespearean twist. C-3P0 is ever the worrier and complainer, Obi-Wan is the somewhat mysterious mentor, Darth Vader is a force (no pun intended) to be reckoned with, and on and on. And yet, by writing it this way, Ian Doescher is able to reveal more about the characters using the incredible insight he has, using all of his knowledge from the other five installments of the Star Wars sag, and years of being a fan. The beauty of writing the story as Shakespeare might have is that Doescher is able to reveal the characters thoughts and feelings we can’t see in the movies. Obi-Wan explains why he tells Luke that his father is dead, Luke thinks about the stormtroopers he killed to rescue Leia and escape the Death Star, and Darth Vader comes across as tortured at times rather than truly evil – which is something that his literal mask keeps viewers from seeing even in that pivotal moment in Return of the Jedi.
You can read more of my review at my blog: http://readerlymusings.com/2013/10/21/book-review-william-shakespeares-star-wars-by-ian-doescher/
The book was very easy to get sucked into – I knew the story so well and everything I loved was there, but with a Shakespearean twist. C-3P0 is ever the worrier and complainer, Obi-Wan is the somewhat mysterious mentor, Darth Vader is a force (no pun intended) to be reckoned with, and on and on. And yet, by writing it this way, Ian Doescher is able to reveal more about the characters using the incredible insight he has, using all of his knowledge from the other five installments of the Star Wars sag, and years of being a fan. The beauty of writing the story as Shakespeare might have is that Doescher is able to reveal the characters thoughts and feelings we can’t see in the movies. Obi-Wan explains why he tells Luke that his father is dead, Luke thinks about the stormtroopers he killed to rescue Leia and escape the Death Star, and Darth Vader comes across as tortured at times rather than truly evil – which is something that his literal mask keeps viewers from seeing even in that pivotal moment in Return of the Jedi.
You can read more of my review at my blog: http://readerlymusings.com/2013/10/21/book-review-william-shakespeares-star-wars-by-ian-doescher/
s4llym4nder's review against another edition
5.0
"“[Luke, holding stormtrooper helmet.] Alas, poor stormtrooper, I knew ye not,/ yet have I taken both uniform and life/ From thee. What manner of a man wert thou?/ A man of inf'nite jest or cruelty?/ A man with helpmate and with children too?/ A man who hath his Empire serv'd with pride?/ A man, perhaps, who wish'd for perfect peace?/ What'er thou wert, goodman, thy pardon grant/ Unto the one who took thy place: e'en me.” ― Ian Doescher, William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope
Being both an avid Shakespeare and Star Wars fan, this book was perfection! From R2D2's cunning and loquacious asides to Han's heart-wrenching identity crisis in perfect iambic pentameter, Doescher's masterpiece is 3,076 lines of absolute gorgeousness. Highly recommended.
Being both an avid Shakespeare and Star Wars fan, this book was perfection! From R2D2's cunning and loquacious asides to Han's heart-wrenching identity crisis in perfect iambic pentameter, Doescher's masterpiece is 3,076 lines of absolute gorgeousness. Highly recommended.
kschlegel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.75
rebekahology's review against another edition
4.0
Alas, more merriment thou couldst not find in any other tome, more so than this one. 'Tis a veritable delight to peruse.
mpedone's review against another edition
3.0
An impressive undertaking, to take a classic sci-fi film and rewrite the entire movie as a Shakespearean play (almost all action becomes dialog), in true iambic pentameter. What could be a silly experiment is actually an earnest effort, as Doescher notes the similarities between the Star Wars narrative and the structure of Shakespeare's plays. The chorus feels a bit overused. It begins to feel a little like a crutch, or an easy way out to describe a chunk of action, but I can understand why he used it this way. Aside from that, the only thing that stopped me from devouring the book in one sitting was the sing-song nature of the iambic pentameter, though I found this could be combatted by reading aloud. I am extremely far from an expert on IP, but I don't feel as though the bard's works come off this way, but again, this could just be me.