Romeo and Juliet: A Novel Audiobook By David Hewson cover art

Romeo and Juliet: A Novel

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Romeo and Juliet: A Novel

By: David Hewson
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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Exclusively written for Audible, only available in audio

"I think Romeo and Juliet is the greatest, most tragic love story ever told. What David Hewson did with this script is so exciting to me. I really love the fact that he followed avenues that Shakespeare suggested but didn't necessarily detail in depth. If you want to immerse yourself in a warm bath of Garganega and the heat of Verona and hear a brilliant story about a young woman who is challenging the restraints of her time, listen to this audiobook, which has romance, poetry, politics, and humor to spare." (Narrator Richard Armitage)

It's a story you think you know: the age-old tale of "star-cross'd lovers"; two families at war; a romance, so pure and absolute, fated for a tragic end. It's a story so thoroughly embedded in our culture, and so frequently retold. Yet, nothing captures the spark, the possibility, and the surprise of Shakespeare's work quite like this....

In Romeo and Juliet: A Novel, author David Hewson reworks and expands on the classic story so that it becomes something richer, something new and entirely its own. Much more than a simple love story, it is a brilliant examination of young versus old, hope against despair, and, for Juliet, the search for individual identity at a time when women were regarded as little more than chattel.

An original production commissioned by Audible, Romeo and Juliet: A Novel marks the second pairing of David Hewson and actor Richard Armitage, whose previous partnership resulted in Audible's 2014 Audiobook of the Year, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel. Hewson's talent for writing for audio is undeniable, and he finds his perfect vocal foil in Armitage, an actor of immense range and absorbing intensity. Together, they bring you a familiar story told in a surprising way - with an ending you might not expect.

Bonus: Audiobook includes an afterword written and narrated by David Hewson.

About the author: David Hewson is a British author of more than 20 works of fiction, including the Nic Costa detective series, set in contemporary Italy, and three novels based on the hit TV series, The Killing. For Audible, Hewson contributed to the serial novel The Chopin Manuscript, winner of the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year. And, with A.J. Hartley, Hewson has adapted Shakespeare twice before: Macbeth: A Novel, narrated by Alan Cumming, and Audible's 2014 Audiobook of the Year Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel, performed by Richard Armitage.

About the narrator: Richard Armitage is a British film, television, theater, and voice actor. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Armitage landed his first leading role in the British television show North & South. Peter Jackson cast Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the company of dwarves in The Hobbit films, bringing him international recognition. Since then, Armitage has appeared in numerous productions, including widely-praised performances on stage in The Crucible and Love, Love, Love, along with acclaimed roles on TV in NBC's Hannibal and Berlin Station on Epix.

©2016 David Hewson (P)2016 Audible, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Witty Royalty

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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, December 2016 - Just as Shakespeare borrowed from Arthur Brooke's The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet as a means to invent a unique dramatization of his own, author David Hewson uses this audio adaptation to explore and expand the various backstories of its characters - their grudges, fears, and motives - allowing previously minor characters to flourish and the stakes to reach an all new high. Actor Richard Armitage makes exhilarating choices in his narration: Juliet becomes a fierce heroine in the throes of an existential crisis; Romeo a soft-spoken emo poet; Mercutio a swaggering bad boy who'd be quite at home in a Guy Ritchie film; and Tybalt a slithering, blood-hungry goon. Taking Hewson's lead, Armitage is more than game to follow these characters to new and unexpected places. And, indeed, this story does not end quite like you'd expect. —Doug, Audible Editor

Critic reviews

"Consummate actor Richard Armitage narrates this dynamic reimagining of Romeo and Juliet. It's an ideal construct for those reluctant to pursue Shakespeare. In addition to using contemporary slang, the author gives the followers of the Montague and Capulet families street cred: They wear red or blue feathers in their hats. Armitage makes even secondary characters unique, with Romeo's and Juliet's fathers sounding like the bitter old men they are. The standout is Juliet's nurse, who provides comic relief. Chapter transitions are faultless, and descriptions of people and places are stellar. Juliet's social conscience, specifically her desire to teach the peasants to read, adds further depth. Hewson boldly alters the story's conclusion. In an author's note, Hewson explains that Shakespeare was inspired by an Italian play similar to Romeo and Juliet. Hewson adds that to him the story is about the contrast between older and younger generations as they react to change." ( AudioFile Magazine)

Featured Article: All the World's a Stage—The Best Shakespeare Plays in Audio


If there’s one writer whose work translates spectacularly to audio format, it’s the Bard. Hearing Shakespeare’s dialog masterfully performed by professionals with the correct emphasis and tone can make all the difference in catching every clever joke and innuendo, picking up on subtle foreshadowing, and sometimes even understanding the plot itself. Here are our choices for the best Shakespeare audiobooks to add to your library today.

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Fresh Interpretation • Detailed Characters • Masterful Voice Acting • Strong Juliet • Historical Context
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This is so very, very good.

A million years ago, when I was a young teenager, I was captivated by the 1968 Zeffirelli film/interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, and very seldom does any production come close to that initial charm. This does. A different forum, I agree, but the combination of Mr. Hewson's interpretation of Shakespeare [he does not follow of the play completely] and Mr. Armitage's superb, wonderful, wonderful narration makes this a five star rating for me.

I've been an Audible customer for almost a decade now, many many books, and more and more I choose the narrator first, the subject second; British narrators first, everybody else second. Add in Shakespearean acting experience for the narrator, and everything comes together.

Highly recommended.

Wonderful, Imaginative

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If you could sum up Romeo and Juliet: A Novel in three words, what would they be?

Innovative, passionate, unique

Who was your favorite character and why?

Juliet, she is the perfect example of a medieval woman born into the rebirth of Europe. How do you shake off tradition and revolutionize? She has to follow the directives of society but this novelization shows the depth of her character. The reading of Richard Armitage captures her pluckiness, desires, and loyalty to her family.

What about Richard Armitage’s performance did you like?

Simple the voices. Each character had their own voice and vocal pattern, which made the story very vivid and almost as if the reader was watching a one man show of the play.

If you could take any character from Romeo and Juliet: A Novel out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably Juliet, mostly because of my fascination with history and gender studies. Also it would be fun to poke her brain about Italian artwork that was referenced throughout the story.

Any additional comments?

The author did an amazing job on his research. His description of the plague and the effect that had on people won me over immediately. This is coming from a history buff and teacher.

Not your English teacher's Romeo and Juliet

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A retelling of arguably the most famous love story in the world, but one that is grounded in the lived truth of its primary actors: adolescents trying to make sense of their own lives in the midst of the swiftly changing world of the early Renaissance.
I thought I knew this story, but its fresh and contextual perspective was like a brand new story. It had my full attention from the first few minutes through to its completion, which I found as satisfying as any of my most favorite tales.
Equally compelling was the narrator's brilliant performance: Armitage Is masterful at every point. The combination of story and performance was so compelling that I began this book late on a Friday afternoon and finished it on the Monday morning commute. This was a joy.

A Real Love Story

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Narration was superb, as it's a trend with Richard Armitage. The style and character development is well done, though the ending left me thinking... wasn't this Juliet stronger, "independent"?. The ending different from what we are used to, was a bit disappointing. I thought sailing across the sea would be an option. Author has also too many preconceived ideas about Catholicism, but I guess that's typical among those who do not know much.

A new husband?

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If you enjoyed the play and always wanted a more in-depth story, I think you will enjoy this beautifully narrated and very engrossing tale. I do not want to give anything away. My only warnings: There is a sex scene that is not graphic but is very sensuous to say the least. The crude parts of Shakespeare that are easy to miss by those not fluent in Elizabethan English are very easy to understand in the modern English novel. If you do not like the crudeness of Shakespeare, you will not like the crudeness in this novel. The nurse is quite vulgar, but funny. Last, although I love to listen to Richard Armitage, his Lady Capulet takes some getting used to. That said, I did love this novel very much and will listen to it again. Bravo.

Wonderful adaption

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Same story that we all know and love! Richard’s performance and David’s words allow you to experience this great story in a new, fresh way and had me smiling, even laughing at times. From the first time you meet Juliet and listen to the conversation between her and her mother, you are drawn back into Verona and just want to stay until it’s inevitable conclusion......thank you for this great story and performance!

Wonderful!

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Perfect re-telling of the original-not Shakespeare's original, but, as the author noted, the original tale from the 13th century, which differs from Shakespeare's slightly. Hewson adds a wonderful twist at the end!

Loved it!

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A favorite version. Made the story come alive. Will look for more by this author.

Beautifully written

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The story is ok. The narrator went overboard IMHO. All the adults sounded as if they were on respirators or nearly dead. Romeo’s tone was too whiny to be likable. Juliet’s tone was too morose.

Didn’t like narrator

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One more fantastic joint work of David Hewson and Richard Armitage. Love every minute of the audiobook. So sad my jorney to Verona is finished but I'm so glad I can return there whenever I wish. And I definitely will! Thank you, David Hewson, Richard Armitage and Audible for the great Christmas gift.

Beautiful adaptation and fantastic narration

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