“Two households, both alike in dignity
In fear Verona, where we lay our scene
From ancient grudge
Break to new mutiny
Where civil blood makes
Civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life….”

Blah, blah, blah, blahbly blah…thus is the opening to one of history’s most well-known tragedies that has spawned hundreds of years’ worth of tropes—Tony & Maria (West Side Story), Jack & Rose (Titanic), Buffy & Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). It’s a story line we know well. It’s a story line that everyone knows so well. So what makes Gareth Hinds version worth picking up and reading?

First off, it is a graphic novel. I didn’t realize how much easier it was to understand the anger, the humor, and all of the emotion in Shakespeare’s words until I could match it with still illustration. Sure, seeing a movie version or a play helps but actors move around. You don’t get to linger on their faces or the expressions. Gareth Hinds’ Rome & Juliet allows the reader to do that. And even with all that time given to linger, concentrate and re-read, the story didn’t lose the gut punch reaction. When Juliet stabbed herself…sheesh!

Secondly, Hinds tried very hard to keep to the iambic pentameter of Shakespeare’s dialogue intact. Now, I can hardly pronounce it and much less explain what it is. But if I understood correctly from Hinds’ foreword, reading the dialogue in this pattern helps the reader appreciate Shakespeare’s “genius.” I do have to agree that this iambic pentameter did make it easier to understand the bantering between characters.

Finally, Gareth Hinds painted this universal story with a multiracial cast. Although he claims it is not a statement about racism or racial conflict, I admit that it was fun to see Romeo rocking the baby dreadlocks—definitely more appealing to the diverse tween and teen patrons that attend my urban public library. So, if you want to recommend an accessible but accurate version of Romeo & Juliet, do recommend Romeo & Juliet adapted by Gareth Hinds.
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Romeo and Juliet with a racially diverse cast but retaining much of the original language, with author's notes at the end that explain the decisions behind this adaptation. If one can't see a performance of the play, this graphic novel style does the next best thing by visually bringing the action to the reader and with it, a clearer understanding of the text. Even better, readers can savor the language at their own pace. ( )

Not so much a re-telling as just a graphic adaptation, I was probably not the best audience for this since I'm not a fan of the source material. The art is nice, and there are a few footnotes and an afterward with some historical information. I'd say this is a good choice for someone who loves Romeo and Juliet or someone who's struggling to parse Shakespeare's language. It uses the actual text (though, obviously, abridged), but the art and the footnotes lend clear meaning to what might be confusing for a contemporary teen. ( )

I found this graphic novel to be much better than the traditional version I had to read in high school. I felt like the images really enhanced the story and helped with the comprehension of what was taking place. I wish I had this when I was a student! ( )

I was surprised to find this “comic book” rendition of “Romeo and Juliet . I find it extremely well done (although the book intentionally does not include a complete rendition of the original story).
Clearly ment to entice children as an introduction to Shakespeare, On can only hope this
“Comic book” does in fact accomplish getting young children to later seek to read Shakespeare’s complete original text. (MY FINGERS ARE STILL CROSSED) ( )