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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
I am now wondering who wrote Shakespeare's plays! Very well done, a lovely blank verse style that is by no means hard to read. Made me research Marlowe's history a little, all I'd read of his before (knowingly!) was Edward II for A-Level.
Really quite beautiful at times, very much of the period and feels like you are there.
Really quite beautiful at times, very much of the period and feels like you are there.
emmajdavies's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lizzy_lisko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
anj's review against another edition
Didn't like the writing - it felt pretentious, which might actually be emulating Christopher Marlowe? (But I've not read any of his work either.) Anyway, it felt like I was being talked down to, which is impressive considering it's a novel in verse.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
This novel, written entirely in poetry, tells the story of how Christopher Marlowe's well-publicised death by dagger through the eye in a tavern was faked, and how, from exile, he writes further plays under the name of William Shakespeare.
While I am a staunch Stratfordian, and am not convinced by the premise of the book of Marlowe=Shakespeare, it is still a really good book and a fascinating story. The poetry is varied and engaging, the characters are skillfully drawn, and Marlowe is sympathetic even as we read of him ruining his own life through lack of impulse control. The Elizabethan (and very early Jacobean) world comes alive through the poetry, and Barber very skillfully keeps the reader guessing as to who "you" is and what happened to force Marlowe into exile. The romance is also not forgotten, and one of Marlowe's most redeeming traits is the fierceness of his love. The book is a real page-turner, which I would not have anticipated from a book of poetry.
While I am a staunch Stratfordian, and am not convinced by the premise of the book of Marlowe=Shakespeare, it is still a really good book and a fascinating story. The poetry is varied and engaging, the characters are skillfully drawn, and Marlowe is sympathetic even as we read of him ruining his own life through lack of impulse control. The Elizabethan (and very early Jacobean) world comes alive through the poetry, and Barber very skillfully keeps the reader guessing as to who "you" is and what happened to force Marlowe into exile. The romance is also not forgotten, and one of Marlowe's most redeeming traits is the fierceness of his love. The book is a real page-turner, which I would not have anticipated from a book of poetry.
book_soulsbee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This novel in verse is structurally sophisticated in its iambic pentameter as will as the historical allusions throughout. Plot-wise, it was interesting to see her conspiracy theory that Shakespeare was actually Christopher Marlowe is intriguing. I love the ending and overall, found it interesting to read. I wouldn’t teach the book in entirety for many reasons, but I loved the background on the Queen’s punishments to anyone who wrote or spoke heresy or atheism. Overall, I enjoyed it but found parts tedious. Also, the pronoun usage of you was mysteriously subtle, showing the many love affairs with both males and females. I am glad to have read it! I love how like Shakespeare’ plays, there is a prologue that tells the story in brief, and then you see as a reader how it comes about.
“For who could afford for that infected earth to be dug to check identities? And so I leave my name behind. Gone on the Deptford tide, the whole world is blind. Friend, I’m no one.”
“Religion is irrelevant. What counts is faith in God, and love of humankind.”
“An untold story sits like rust in the heart. It makes the blood go sour.”
“But friend, this lie we fashioned from our need had taken sustenance, and grown, and bred. It nests in the heart of all who gave it ears, devouring truth, which cannot be recovered even by shoving fingers down its throat. The lie has digested me, and can’t vomit me out.”
“For who could afford for that infected earth to be dug to check identities? And so I leave my name behind. Gone on the Deptford tide, the whole world is blind. Friend, I’m no one.”
“Religion is irrelevant. What counts is faith in God, and love of humankind.”
“An untold story sits like rust in the heart. It makes the blood go sour.”
“But friend, this lie we fashioned from our need had taken sustenance, and grown, and bred. It nests in the heart of all who gave it ears, devouring truth, which cannot be recovered even by shoving fingers down its throat. The lie has digested me, and can’t vomit me out.”
kentcryptid's review against another edition
3.0
The verse in which The Marlowe Papers is written is enjoyable and there are some vivid, memorable moments. However,