The Ghostly Father

by Sue Barnard

[zooloo1983]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book! A retelling of one of my favourite Shakespeare stories, with a fresh spin on it! This story just kept on giving! When reading it though, I did have in my head all the actors from the Romeo and Juliet film with Clare Danes and Leo Di Caprio! But let me say again wow!

I can not say too much about the plot because as I said it is a fresh twist on the story. However, I was sucked in from the opening pages, with Juliet being handed an old journal by her Grandad and for his birthday he would love for her to translate the story. With some interjections to from Juliet, we are whisked back into time to a well-known story, so it was so easy to be immersed in the book.

This time we are shown a new perspective, not the star-crossed lovers but the monk Fra Lorenzo and his secrets. It is his story we are told, his perspective and it was so fresh and riveting!

I seriously want to say so much more about the book, but I will not ruin it for anyone. This story of Montecchi and the Capulet is perfect for anyone who loved Romeo and Juliet, but also for anyone who does not know the story. It breathes life to a classic, writing for a new audience, using the language of Shakespeare but with a more current voice.

I really do not know what else I can say apart from I LOVED this book and I urge you all to take the time to read this respectful and current working of the star-crossed lovers.

I am loving so much that in February, I can safely say I have added another book to my top ones of the year! The rest of the year has a lot of competition.