Romeo and Juliet (The New Penguin Shakespeare) [Mass Market Paperback]

William Shakespeare (Author), T. J. B. Spencer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0140707018 | ISBN-13: 978-0140707014

Part of "The New Penguin Shakespeare" series, this text looks at "Romeo and Juliet" with an introduction, a list of further reading, commentary and a short account of the textual problems of the play. The series is used and recommended by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140707018
• ISBN-13: 978-0140707014
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,712,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A heart breaking love story between two lonely youths, May 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (The New Penguin Shakespeare) (Mass Market Paperback)

I had to read this book in school and at first I thought: "I believe in love and all, but how will I understand it?" Well, luckily, we had an updated version that put it in words we knew. And I must say, it really does deserve all the tv references it's gotten over the decades. Not only did I feel my heart break when Romeo died with tears running abundantly down his cheek, and when Juliet awoke hoping to be reunited with her love and instead finding his body on the floor, but I also felt crushed when Mercutio died. He was the one character I felt most similar to. Shakespeare knew how to break your heart right open. Each time I go back to that paragraph where Mercutio refers to Queen Mab and the way she makes dreams and when he talks about reputations being the determining factor of someone's character instead of personalities, I feel even more attached to Mercutio. I'm sure everyone can find someone with similar personality traits if they read Shakespeare. But this truly is one of the greatest love stories and anyone who's lonely and finds themselves wishing for love should read this. Romeo was that same sort of person until he met Juliet. But one has to wonder, was it simply an intense infatuation? This question has been posed before and I'm not so sure it's a wrong question. But perhaps it really was love. Only Shakespeare knows...And he took secrets like those to his grave...I also recommend this to people who have already found love as it is a chilling reminder that love can surpass anything and anyone in love should do anything in their power to make sure that the flame never goes out, even if it means death.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Piece of work, May 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (The New Penguin Shakespeare) (Mass Market Paperback)

Anyone who has not read Romeo and Juliet obviously is not old enough to comprehend the magnitude of this book, or has been living under a rock the past 400 years. this book (like it or not) is one of the greatest pieces of Elizibethian literature the world has ever seen. if anyone disagrees with this fact of life, then they need to read the book and accept the fact that Shakespeare was THE greatest writer of his time, and one of the most famous in all time.Obviously the magnitude of people who have read this book disagree with your opinions, and that is just a common fact of life. Romeo and Juliet is one of the best books i have ever read in my life.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Romeo and Juliet. Need I say more?, March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (The New Penguin Shakespeare) (Mass Market Paperback)

Romeo and Juliet is, without a doubt, one of the best literary works that I have ever read! You can just read it over, and over, and over. It's love-drenched story just makes you want to sob... and may I also recommend the movie! (1996 Version)