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Beatrice and Benedick
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
18 posts | 5 read | 1 reading | 6 to read
Hidden in the language of Shakespeare's best-loved comedy "Much Ado About Nothing "are several clues to an intriguing tale. It seems that the witty lovers Beatrice and Benedick had a previous love affair that ended bitterly. But how did they meet? Why did they part? And what brought them together again?When nineteen-year-old Beatrice is brought to live at her uncle's court in Sicily to be a companion to his daughter, she first meets Benedick, a young soldier who is there with a Spanish lord on a month-long sojourn. As they begin to wage their war of wit, their words mask their deep love for one another. But the pair are cruelly parted by misunderstanding and slander. Heartbroken, Benedick sails to England on the ill-fated Spanish Armada. Beatrice returns to her home in the North and an unwanted betrothal. While Benedick must fight for his life on board ship, Beatrice fights for her freedom from an arranged marriage.From the point of view of Beatrice and Benedick we hear the lovers tell their own story, taking us from the sunlit southern courts of Sicily, to the crippled Armada on the frozen northern seas, to the gorgeous Renaissance cities of the north. From Marina Fiorato, author of the acclaimed historical novel "The Glassblower of Murano, "comes a beautifully imagined "Beatrice and Benedick. "
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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Discussion time for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! There are four questions (sorry - not on my game this month!) under the spoiler tag. Answer whenever; I know there are mixed thoughts on this one.

Thanks for reading this month! Looking forward to next month (I love the authors featured in The Forgotten Room!)!

Lauram Thanks for hosting! 4y
36 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
This post contains spoilers
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4. Our posts this month showed a lot of mixed reviews during our reading. What do you think of the book? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CarolineLovesToRead I did find it difficult to get into the book and was starting to enjoy it half way through. I do like this idea that Fiorato has of how did these Shakespeare characters meet and how their love story evolved.
I also liked the way she wrote the novel that alternates between Beatrice's and Benedick's points of view.
4y
Librarybelle @CarolineLovesToRead Admittedly, I haven‘t quite finished it, but I am liking it. I too do like the alternating chapters or scenes between Beatrice and Benedick‘s points of view. 4y
Lauram I finished it earlier this week. It wasn‘t at all what I expected. The dramatic turns took me by surprise. I liked this book and am glad I took the time to read it. (edited) 4y
Librarybelle @Lauram So glad you liked it! It is a fun read, and I hope to finish it up within the next few days. 4y
7 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
This post contains spoilers
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3. The structure of the novel is meant to resemble a play - chapter headings set as acts and scenes. Does this structure work for the novel? Any thoughts on overall writing structure? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CarolineLovesToRead I did not mind the play structure of the novel. It was different but I did not read it thinking I was reading a novel meant to resemble a play 4y
Librarybelle @CarolineLovesToRead I thought it was a fun way to connect it to the play! I did not mind the structure. 4y
Lauram I‘m not even sure I noticed the structure. 4y
6 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
This post contains spoilers
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2. How well does Fiorato capture the spirit of the characters from “Much Ado About Nothing?” Think about Beatrice and Benedick specifically. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Lauram The author did a great job of capturing their spirit. My only complaint is that I‘d hoped she‘d stayed with this as a comedy and not as a drama or tragedy. That‘s where I thought she did best. 4y
4 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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1. Fiorato sets out to tell the “story before the story,” a past situation alluded to in “Much Ado About Nothing.” How familiar are you with Shakespeare‘s play? Is this portrayal a plausible continuation (or prequel) of his story? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CarolineLovesToRead I am not familiar with the play. I know I saw bits of the movie years ago but have no recollection of it. :(
I've read comments on Goodreads on if you're planning to read Beatrice and Benedick that you should maybe read Much Ado synopsis or play.
I'm thinking that maybe I should have and would have been more familiar with the characters and also, Fiorato also comments on a few other characters as well.
4y
Librarybelle @CarolineLovesToRead I agree! I have some knowledge of the play, but probably not as much as I should going into the novel. Enough to recognize the characters, but that‘s it! 4y
Lauram I LOVED this movie when I was in college and have seen the play a few times. Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson were wonderful as Benedick and Beatrice. I thought Fiorato did a wonderful job incorporating specific lines from the play into her book and giving context to some of the lines I didn‘t understand. 4y
Librarybelle @Lauram I really enjoy the movie too! 4y
2 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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Check in post for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ...discussion will be next week!

Any thoughts so far in the readings? This is a different style of writing, but I find myself enjoying it. Beatrice is such an amazing character!

jimfields3 So it seems #LiteraryCrew is a book club based here in Litsy that focuses on literary fiction, am I correct? If so I‘d like to join for April‘s book. 4y
Librarybelle @jimfields3 #LiteraryCrew is a low key book discussion group that is on Litsy! We typically read historical fiction, and the reading sections I post are just suggested reading guidelines - everyone reads at their own pace. I post periodic check in posts like this one, and the last day of the month, we have a discussion, where I will post questions on Litsy. April‘s book is this one, and I‘ll include you on tags for it (glad you are interested!): 4y
jimfields3 Thanks, @Librarybelle for including me! This will be the first time I‘ve participated in something like this, and I look forward to it! 4y
Librarybelle @jimfields3 You‘re welcome! 4y
42 likes4 comments
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kspenmoll
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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#MarvelousMarch #Readathon

Finished 5 books- 2 I read in entirety (AVIS & TBG) I was in various stages of reading the others that I finished. Met my goal for TFOS but not for BAB.
I did much better than i imagined. Thanks @Andrew65 for sponsoring this readathon! Kept me focused!!!😁❤️📚💃💃💃🎉🎉

Andrew65 Fantastic, well done 👏👏👏🍾🥂🍾🥂🎉🥳 4y
Crazeedi You did great!!👏👏🎉💕 4y
Suet624 Wow!!! 4y
63 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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Check in post for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead !

Any impressions to share?

Admittedly, I have not had a chance to start it yet, but I have it on my nightstand, ready to go!

I‘m also hoping to post some possible next reads within the next couple of days to determine our next few readings!

Lauram I‘ve made some progress and love the teasing dialogue between Benedick and Beatrice that made Much Ado About Nothing my favorite Shakespeare play (and film). 4y
CarolineLovesToRead I've started it but am only at beginning of act III. I'm having difficulty getting into it. I do like Beatrice. She is not like most woman of her time. 4y
Jerdencon Unfortunately my library and the NYPL on line system didn‘t have a copy of the book so I‘m sitting this round out. It looked good though so hope you all enjoy it. 4y
40 likes3 comments
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kspenmoll
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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#weeklyreport

I was home Thursday recovering from vac#2 so what did I do besides sleep? Read.

Cinfhen Smart use of downtime! Hope you‘re feeling well 4y
kspenmoll @Cinfhen Thanks Cindy! I am fine & so so happy to be totally vaccinated! It was just a 12 hour physical response- my immune system working at its best!!! 4y
Cinfhen Yes, I had a similar reaction/ but indeed so grateful to be fully vaccinated 💕 4y
49 likes3 comments
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kspenmoll
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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#literarycrew #wineandbooks

Unwinding after a day of work, a walk , & a grocery shop. A little snack, a little wine, a book, (and cat on my lap) while I await dinner. 📚🍷🥜🧀🍒
Really living this book despite the fact I am only on p.15! What a sensory experience...
@Crazeedi do you notice anything in the picture that is familiar to you?!

Crazeedi The card in the window! And I'm usually terrible at the "find the things" puzzles!? 4y
Crazeedi Love your Rose's btw. I'm planning on getting another rose bush this year 4y
Librarybelle Sounds like a perfect night! 4y
kspenmoll @Crazeedi Rose bushes! We have just one lonely one! 4y
76 likes4 comments
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kspenmoll
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
49 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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TheBookHippie How is the signet? I love them for Shakespeare . 4y
kspenmoll @TheBookHippie They have wonderful introductions/ afterwords. This one was introduced by author Margaret Drabble, “The moral of this book is that choice is difficult. One cannot have both wit and wisdom.” I have not read Drabble in decades but I remember enjoying her novels. 4y
TheBookHippie @kspenmoll ohhhh nice !!!! I believe I did as well enjoy Drabble -The Jerusalem book. 4y
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Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
Eggs ❤️❤️ Fountains of Silence ❤️❤️ 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 4y
68 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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Tomorrow begins the March #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead . Tagging those who expressed interest in this, but all are welcome to join. Just comment below your interest, and I will tag you in the check in posts during the month.

Use the above schedule as a suggested reading guide, but read at your own pace. Discussion questions will be posted at the end of the month.

Crazeedi I'm probably not doing this month, but I'll be in for April for sure! 4y
CoffeeNBooks I couldn't find a copy of this at the library, and I'm trying to be really good about not buying more books right now, so I think I'm going to sit this one out. But, keep me posted about next month's pick, please! 4y
BethM @CoffeeNBooks I‘m in the same boat. I‘d like to read it but need to be more budget conscious with daycare now! 4y
See All 6 Comments
Lauram My library bought a digital copy after I‘d tagged it! 🎉 It was such a pleasant surprise to see this on my digital bookshelf. I‘m in! 4y
39 likes6 comments
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kspenmoll
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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#Literarycrew ##buddyread #March #bookmail

Look what came today, just in time!

Librarybelle Hooray!! 4y
54 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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March‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead takes readers deeper into the characters made famous in Shakespeare‘s Much Ado About Nothing. It sounds intriguing!

This is a low key buddy read; use the suggested timeline as a guide for reading during the month, but read at your own pace. I post check ins throughout the month, and we have a discussion on the last day of the month.

All are welcome! Let me know if you are interested!

Lauram My favorite Shakespeare characters! I‘ll have to look into this one. 4y
CarolineLovesToRead Sounds interesting and a different read for me. Thanks! 4y
catebutler This sounds great! Looking forward to it! 4y
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Jerdencon This looks good! 4y
Librarybelle @Jerdencon I‘m looking forward to it! 4y
Crazeedi I'll see if I can find! 4y
KarouBlue Nice! 4y
Librarybelle @MellieAntoinette Hope you can join us! 4y
55 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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bg_reads
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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My mom returned my book and gave me another one.

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CaramelLunacy
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
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A prequel/retelling of one of my favorite Shakespeare plays - I have high hopes

review
TizJ3ss
Beatrice and Benedick | Marina Fiorato
Mehso-so

This book was utterly frustrating! The author takes many liberties with the characters and even moves beyond the 'prequel' into the story itself where she jumbles the events there. The story was all tragedy and suffering. Of course there was a happy ending, but even that was darkened with despair. Still, the descriptive language was beautiful and the way the plots of different plays were woven together was clever. I wish I could like it more.⭐⭐1/2