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snackmani's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mollief's review against another edition
medium-paced
0.5
This is BAD bad. If you’re interested in erotic text about 11-year-olds and hella racism, this is for you. Yikes.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Othello for primary school...
Chevalier has taken Shakespeare's tragedy of revenge and placed it in a fascinating context - that of an elementary school playground/classroom, with a class of students not yet adolescent, not quite still children. It does work, but some aspects don't feel quite authentic.
New boy Osei (Othello) is black, and in the 1970s classroom, stands out, with both blatant and less open racism all around him on his first day - from staff as well as fellow students. Dee (our Desdemona) immediately takes to him, they decide to 'go out', as many other classmates are doing, such as Mimi and Ian (the play's Iago).
The book follows the main plot of Shakespeare's play, with mistaken actions, subterfuge and lies, jealousy and revenge, as teachers look on at the actions of the young protagonists.
Osei's situation is quite hard to watch - the language used around him, about the colour of his skin, is abhorent and shocking, and hard to comprehend. Dee is sweet and the heart of the story, quite a realistic character, Mimi also is well characterised and conflicted. Osei, thrust into yet another new school with rules, names and cliches he is outside of, sympathetic. It is Ian who didn't sit right, his character doesn't transfer well to that of an 11-year-old boy. The hostility and evil temperament of a boy determined to manipulate and twist others to his plans just doesn't feel realistic - he speaks and thinks like a grown man, with the emotional distance of a adult sociopath.
The plot moves quickly from stolen pencil cases, kisses, fights and accusations to a very physical conclusion. Knowing the ending of the play, you do worry for the children: just how Chevalier will treat her young cast, just how far will she go? You don't quite know how some characters fare, the author doesn't reveal their fate in so many words.
It's an interesting spin on the Shakespeare, with a sexualised young cast (which shocks a little but really shouldn't), racism in teachers (which shocks a little too), well transposed in features to a school setting. 10 Things I Hate About You worked in a high school (Taming of the Shrew), West Side Story (teenage gangs) worked on the New York streets, and now we've moved to ever younger children for petty revenge and rivalry.
Shakespeare truly is universal.
Not one for the age group portrayed possibly, but teenagers studying the play would find this useful supplementary discussion material.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance review e-copy.
Chevalier has taken Shakespeare's tragedy of revenge and placed it in a fascinating context - that of an elementary school playground/classroom, with a class of students not yet adolescent, not quite still children. It does work, but some aspects don't feel quite authentic.
New boy Osei (Othello) is black, and in the 1970s classroom, stands out, with both blatant and less open racism all around him on his first day - from staff as well as fellow students. Dee (our Desdemona) immediately takes to him, they decide to 'go out', as many other classmates are doing, such as Mimi and Ian (the play's Iago).
The book follows the main plot of Shakespeare's play, with mistaken actions, subterfuge and lies, jealousy and revenge, as teachers look on at the actions of the young protagonists.
Osei's situation is quite hard to watch - the language used around him, about the colour of his skin, is abhorent and shocking, and hard to comprehend. Dee is sweet and the heart of the story, quite a realistic character, Mimi also is well characterised and conflicted. Osei, thrust into yet another new school with rules, names and cliches he is outside of, sympathetic. It is Ian who didn't sit right, his character doesn't transfer well to that of an 11-year-old boy. The hostility and evil temperament of a boy determined to manipulate and twist others to his plans just doesn't feel realistic - he speaks and thinks like a grown man, with the emotional distance of a adult sociopath.
The plot moves quickly from stolen pencil cases, kisses, fights and accusations to a very physical conclusion. Knowing the ending of the play, you do worry for the children: just how Chevalier will treat her young cast, just how far will she go? You don't quite know how some characters fare, the author doesn't reveal their fate in so many words.
It's an interesting spin on the Shakespeare, with a sexualised young cast (which shocks a little but really shouldn't), racism in teachers (which shocks a little too), well transposed in features to a school setting. 10 Things I Hate About You worked in a high school (Taming of the Shrew), West Side Story (teenage gangs) worked on the New York streets, and now we've moved to ever younger children for petty revenge and rivalry.
Shakespeare truly is universal.
Not one for the age group portrayed possibly, but teenagers studying the play would find this useful supplementary discussion material.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance review e-copy.
nadine4497's review
challenging
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'New Boy (Hogarth Shakespeare)' by Tracy Chevalier is the fifth installment in the series, and it is a modern retelling of Othello inside a 1970s schoolyard.
Osei Kokote, a diplomat's son, is starting his first day at an elementary school. He has been to 4 other schools in his life. He is the only black boy at this school, and he wants to find a friend. He finds one in Dee, the most popular girl in school. Unbeknownst to Osei, another boy, Ian, is scheming behind his back. Before the day is done, tragedy will play itself out on the playground, and everyone will be changed.
The characters are very familiar to anyone who has read Othello. The tension ratchets up as the machinations of Ian lead to jealousy and mistrust. I love the setting, the music that gets interwoven, even the annoying jumprope chants. At 204 pages, there is a lot packed into this novel.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Crown Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Osei Kokote, a diplomat's son, is starting his first day at an elementary school. He has been to 4 other schools in his life. He is the only black boy at this school, and he wants to find a friend. He finds one in Dee, the most popular girl in school. Unbeknownst to Osei, another boy, Ian, is scheming behind his back. Before the day is done, tragedy will play itself out on the playground, and everyone will be changed.
The characters are very familiar to anyone who has read Othello. The tension ratchets up as the machinations of Ian lead to jealousy and mistrust. I love the setting, the music that gets interwoven, even the annoying jumprope chants. At 204 pages, there is a lot packed into this novel.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Crown Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
ameliawatt's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
cheekylaydee's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured this in one day, absolutely phenomenal! A modern re-telling of Shakespeare's tragedy 'Othello', the main players are given modern names and the events all take place over the course of one day in a school. That's right, these are kids.
Dee, the most popular girl in school, is assigned to Osei, a new boy, in order to help him settle in. He is unlike any boy she's ever known, and not just because of his skin colour. Osei AKA 'O' has traveled around the world, having been to exotic places, gaining knowledge and experience along the way. This is fascinating to D, and in the way of young children by the end of the morning, they are a couple.
If you've read or seen the original play you know how it goes. The other boys at the school, and one in particular, Ian, does not like the fact that this new boy that is so markedly different is already integrating himself into his world. Through a process of manipulation, fear and downright bullying he has gained authority, especially in the realm of the playground and he does not like to think of it being threatened.
Using O's inherent insecurity about the black skin that differentiates him he worms his way both into O's brain and in between the erstwhile happy couple.
This is so cleverly done, and the poignancy created by using children as the main characters really packs a punch. It highlights the difficulties encountered by the black population in 1970's America and is still as relevant as when the Bard first penned it.
For anybody who is or has studied Othello, as I have, this is a perfect supplement to your studies, highlighting the main themes without the complexities of the language. Even if you're not, it's a perfect route to reading the original. A rare 5 stars I can't recommend it enough!
Dee, the most popular girl in school, is assigned to Osei, a new boy, in order to help him settle in. He is unlike any boy she's ever known, and not just because of his skin colour. Osei AKA 'O' has traveled around the world, having been to exotic places, gaining knowledge and experience along the way. This is fascinating to D, and in the way of young children by the end of the morning, they are a couple.
If you've read or seen the original play you know how it goes. The other boys at the school, and one in particular, Ian, does not like the fact that this new boy that is so markedly different is already integrating himself into his world. Through a process of manipulation, fear and downright bullying he has gained authority, especially in the realm of the playground and he does not like to think of it being threatened.
Using O's inherent insecurity about the black skin that differentiates him he worms his way both into O's brain and in between the erstwhile happy couple.
This is so cleverly done, and the poignancy created by using children as the main characters really packs a punch. It highlights the difficulties encountered by the black population in 1970's America and is still as relevant as when the Bard first penned it.
For anybody who is or has studied Othello, as I have, this is a perfect supplement to your studies, highlighting the main themes without the complexities of the language. Even if you're not, it's a perfect route to reading the original. A rare 5 stars I can't recommend it enough!
kleonard's review against another edition
2.0
Chevalier's Hogarth Shakespeare contribution, an Othello of the middle-school playground. A bit heavy-handed, a bit dull.