Scan barcode
anjumstar's review against another edition
3.0
I had to read this book because I would be playing Isabella in an upcoming production of The Glorious Ones, the musical. I was thrilled that this book was an easy read that I could breeze through. But let me tell you; this book is a necessary read if you just see the musical or even just listen to the music. Otherwise, I doubt it would make much sense. Now, I read the book before I became intimately knowledgeably of the play, so it's only my best guess that it wouldn't make full sense without the book, but let me explain.
The musical of The Glorious Ones takes various scenes from the book and pastes them together with fantastic songs and a rather hastily written book. The characters are far more shallow the actions unmotivated, at first, and even second glance. Especially so for Isabella, who isn't given a backstory. She's incredibly weak in the musical, compared to her relatively complex counterpart in the book, and her far more interesting relationship with Francesco. Furthermore, the musical all but stops when Flaminio dies.
Now before this turns into a review of the musical rather than the book, I'm going to say what I probably should have said earlier. I think that both are better enjoyed with the other. The book is decent. It lacks real empathy or connection between the reader and the characters, as their stories are all rather short and narrow. But it has nuggets here and there of grand importance. And there is a fair amount of interesting character development moments, though none of them have a full arc. The musical has interesting scenes, funny physical comedy, and absolutely amazing songs. So read the book, listen to the album, and pair them together, and you'll get a truly full experience.
The musical of The Glorious Ones takes various scenes from the book and pastes them together with fantastic songs and a rather hastily written book. The characters are far more shallow the actions unmotivated, at first, and even second glance. Especially so for Isabella, who isn't given a backstory. She's incredibly weak in the musical, compared to her relatively complex counterpart in the book, and her far more interesting relationship with Francesco. Furthermore, the musical all but stops when Flaminio dies.
Now before this turns into a review of the musical rather than the book, I'm going to say what I probably should have said earlier. I think that both are better enjoyed with the other. The book is decent. It lacks real empathy or connection between the reader and the characters, as their stories are all rather short and narrow. But it has nuggets here and there of grand importance. And there is a fair amount of interesting character development moments, though none of them have a full arc. The musical has interesting scenes, funny physical comedy, and absolutely amazing songs. So read the book, listen to the album, and pair them together, and you'll get a truly full experience.
catdad77a45's review
4.0
I actually bought this book back in 2007, after having seen and very much enjoyed the Broadway musical version of the story - but never got around to reading it. It brought back memories of that terrific production, but is a very good novel in its own right. Unless one has an interest in theatre history in general, or the commedia dell'arte in particular, I doubt one would find it all that intriguing though. My one quibble is that each of the characters narrates one of the seven chapters, yet all speak in exactly the same tone.
myxomycetes's review
4.0
It's set in 17th century Italy but you wouldn't know it from reading it. The Glorious Ones are a troupe of actors made up of archetypes and each tells their story, parading forth their dreams and obsessions. It's one of those books about stories and the power of stories. Probably not for everyone, but a refreshing read just the same.
More...