Book Review: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights

by Chloe Gong (YA Gong)

 

This is a noir, mafia/gang retelling of Romeo and Juliet that will break the mold. Not only is it a noir and mafia/retelling it’s set in Shanghai in the 1920’s. Russians play the Montagu’s and the Capulets are Chinese. Our star-crossed lovers join forces to discover what mystery disease is plaguing the citizens of Shanghai. It’s filled with mystery, Shakespeare Easter eggs and historical subplot along with a side of romance and bildungsromans.

 

I listened to the audio version which I would also recommend. The audiobook features Cindy Kay, a conscientious narrator, who makes sure the different languages she uses are pronounced with accuracy. Shanghai-nese, Cantonese and Russian in addition to British accents and Russian accented English are portrayed clearly and beautifully. Wonderful immersive read!

 

(Would recommend if you like Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim or Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco.)

 

( official Chloe Gong web site )

 

Recommended by Caitlin L.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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DVD Review: All is True

All is True
directed by Kenneth Branagh (DVD All)

As a fan of both Kenneth Branagh and the works of William Shakespeare, I had to see the film All is True in which Branagh plays Shakespeare in his later years. The film looks at the period of time after Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre burns down and he returns home to his family in Stratford-upon-Avon. Relationships with his wife and daughter are difficult; he has spent little time with them as he became the world’s greatest playwright. The film features an incredible cast including Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen. Definitely worth seeing!

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Hamlet, and Henry V, both starring Kenneth Branagh.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official All is True web site ]

Recommended by Kim J.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Much Ado About Nothing (on DVD)

Much Ado About Nothing
directed by Joss Whedon, from the play by William Shakespeare [DVD Much] 

Director Joss Whedon is perhaps best known for his scifi/fantasy-genre works, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and its spinoff Angel), Firefly, Dollhouse, and the first two Avengers films teaming up the various Marvel Comics superheroes.

For this 2012 version of the Shakespearean classic romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, Whedon takes a break from his action-adventure roots, but pulls in all of his actor friends from his various genre productions for major roles in this marvelous romp. Alexis Denisof (who played Wesley on Buffy and Angel) is Benedick, while Amy Acker (who starred as Winifred/Illyria on Angel, and Dr. Saunders on Dollhouse, not to mention as Root on the entire run of the non-Whedon series Person of Interest) is Beatrice. Other family faces in the cast are Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle), Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Reed Diamond (Designated Survivor), Sean Maher (Firefly), and feature-film newcomer Jillian Morgese as Hero.

Filmed on location at Whedon’s own home, in Santa Monica, CA, this version of Much Ado About Nothing is an updated take on love and relationships, told in the form of two different romantic pairs — one a pair of young and desperate lovers, the other a pair of seemingly bitter opponents, constantly at odds, who have trouble seeing the attraction between themselves. Whedon highlights the fun in Shakespeare’s story, without sacrificing the flowing language of the original. This is a fast-paced romp of a movie, set in a gorgeous home and featuring terrific performances. This feels very fluid, unlike some staged versions of the play, as the actors are given the freedom to move throughout the many rooms of the estate which is the setting. I enjoyed this tremendously…although being a fan of Whedon’s stable of many past actors may have had a part in that! (As a side note — I LOVED the soundtrack to this film and bought it off iTunes right after seeing the movie!).

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Henry V, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, Hamlet with Branagh, or Branagh’s own film version of Much Ado About Nothing] [Also available in traditional print format.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Much Ado About Nothing web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Hamlet (2009) on DVD

Hamlet
by William Shakespeare [DVD Hamlet]

As a fan of all things Shakespeare, I have amassed a collection of Hamlet films over the years with various actors in the lead role. This version by the Royal Shakespeare Company is by far one of the best. David Tennant plays the moody prince alongside acting greats Patrick Stewart and Oliver Ford Davies. Tennant's portrayal of the "mad" prince is brilliant. Stewart is superb in his dual roles as both the slain King and his brother, Hamlet's Uncle Claudius. I highly recommend this DVD for all Shakespeare fans. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the other filmed versions of Hamlet, starring Laurence Olivier, Mel Gibson and Kenneth Branagh.]

[Various editions/printings of Shakespeare's original play are available in the libraries' collection.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Royal Shakespeare Company web site ]

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William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, a New Hope

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope
by Ian Doescher [791.437 Doe

May the Verse be with you! This book is a re-telling of the Star Wars story (now known as Star Wars IV, A New Hope) in Shakespearian style, or in other words, written in iambic pentameter form. As a fan of both Star Wars and all things Shakespeare, I found this book to be witty, creative and well written. The author's use of well-known Shakespeare monologues as applied to Star Wars is exceptionally clever. The illustrations are also well done. Quoting the book jacket: "This is the book you're looking for." -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Star Wars by George Lucas (both the book and movie); Vader's Little Princess by Jeffrey Brown; Hamlet by William Shakespeare (and all other plays by Shakespeare as well).]

[ Publisher's official William Shakespeare's Star Wars web page ] | [ official Ian Doescher web site ] 

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Happy Birthday, Will! Review of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Good Sirrahs and Mistresses, Tis the Bard's 449th birthday -- also feted as Talk Like Shakespeare Day. In honor of this momentous event, mayhaps you will indulge in Kim's review of one of the wordsmith's most beloved works: 

A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare [822.33 ShaP7]

A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies and for good reason! I recently re-read this classic in anticipation of attending a performance of the play at one of our local high schools. I had not read this play since college, so it struck me with renewed delight to read the "play within a play." Fairies, confused lovers and sprites abound in this tale where "all's well that ends well." What fools these mortals be! [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Much Ado About Nothing, or any of Shakespeare's other comedies.] -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in a variety of formats.]

[ Wikipedia page for this play ]

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New Customer Review - Hamlet

Hamlet
by William Shakespeare [822.33 Sha]

I believe that the thoughts behind Hamlet last through the ages. In this modern era, most people do not want to tackle items written in the type of English, though I think it is an excellent idea! Hamlet is about a prince's struggle with family. All of us have had family issues at some point in time, so let's not deny that. Anyways, the ghost of Hamlet's father, the king, visited Hamlet in the middle of the night, when he was speaking with a couple of people that lasted through the entire book. In the encounter with his father's ghost, Hamlet learns that his uncle, the current king, poisoned his father in order to take the throne. The issue of love comes in with Ophelia, whom Hamlet loves and Ophelia ends up loving him back. Though the famous "To be or not to be..." speech is very touching and a lot of what it says still is true to this day, it was basically a very lengthy way of dumping Ophelia. Hamlet ended up watching his mother die, after he returned from England, where he was sent, on account of him being "insane." After that, he ended up doing something fatally fun... fencing. Overall, I believe Hamlet to be an intriguing and amazing read, perfect for those hot and humid summer days. -- review submitted by Sarah D. - a customer of the Gere Branch Library

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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

by The Reduced Shakespeare Company

Humorous, bawdy, farcical and highly entertaining, this three-man show attempts to produce all of Shakespeare's plays (and some of the sonnets) in a single, considerably abridged 90-minute performance. The performers are engaging, the writing is witty, and the over-the-top physicality of the show is quite entertaining. I think that viewers who are already familiar with Shakespeare's major works will get more out of this than the unitiated, but even those who say "William who?" will get a kick of this comedy trio. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official Complete William Shakespeare production page on the official Reduced Shakespeare Co. web site ]

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Staff Recommendation - Discovering Hamlet

Discovering Hamlet

by Mark Olshaker [Video 792.02 Ols]

For anyone interested in Shakespeare or in theater, this is a wonderful video that shows an all-star cast rehearsing for a production of "Hamlet." Sir Derek Jacobi directs Kenneth Branagh in this marvelous production, narrated by Patrick Stewart. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library/Reference

[Note: Not released on DVD, this is only available in VHS format.][ unofficial Notes on this production ] [ Internet Movie Database page for this production ]

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Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.