Sinister hands snatch a newborn child and carry her to a tower where she lives in loneliness. Enmity between feuding families results in an elopement that ends in ways that nobody could foresee. You think you know these stories… but do you really?The destinies of these star-crossed teenagers entwine in this tale that reveals the story that Shakespeare and the Brothers Grimm never told.
This combination of two tales is twisted and rearranged to something altogether different. This novella is an easy read and with the little twist, an excellent surprise.
Shakespeare Intertwined with Grimm
This clever, well-written short story intertwines the enchanting buffoonery of Shakespeare with the sinister fatalism of Grimm. Romeo and Malevolenza—had the Fates allowed—his mother-in-law!
Give a fool a braid to climb the balustrade leading to the chamber of a woman, Julieta or Rose—any name will do in the throes of passion. The name, Romeo, included!
Adding to the story’s modern charm, Van Leerdam’s writing style easily pivots from Old-World elegance to hip vernacular:
“He (Romeo) bolted, a deer fleeing from the hunter, pursuing that sweet doe (Julieta) who moved like music through the garden.”
“That sucks. Who are you looking for?” (Father Montagno to Romeo)
As with Shakespeare or Grimm, fate has its way. In ‘A Rose by Any Other Name,’ it’s perversely unpredictable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mashup of two different fairytales delivered in a new, fresh way. There were also a couple of twists I didn’t see coming! Even though it was a short read, it was full of beautiful descriptions and emotions, just as I’ve come to expect from this very talented author. I’d say this would be a perfect read for a lunch break.
Shakespeare meets the Brothers Grim
I wasn’t expecting a mixture of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet verses Rapunzel in this well written epic fairy tale.
Julieta, Rose and Romeo, find themselves in a mixture of an inventive tale of crossed love, thwarted ambition, and dark magic, and discover for yourself how these three young people discover one another in a time of poverty and riches. A love triangle with family feuding, and evil hags. What can go wrong?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mixed fairy tale, with Shakespeare’s combined theme, and I would recommend A Rose By Any Other Name, by the talented author Joanne Van Leerdam
If you like fairy tales with surprise endings, you’ll love A Rose by Any Other Name. With characters and story lines pulled from the pages of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Grimm’s Rapunzel, the two plots are woven together in a creative ode to storytelling. I loved the experience of revisiting the classics – this time, with a twist and a surprise ending. In typical Van Leerdam fashion, every word is lyrical and poetic while the suspense holds your attention to the end. Highly recommended!
A Rose By Any Other Name by Joanne Van Leerdam was a perfect little bonbon of a story. Mixing Romeo and Juliet with Rapunzel, the author takes what’s best from both tales and weaves her own delightful tapestry of young love, long hair, and crazy adults. Beautifully worded, the author’s reputation for writing eloquent poetry is evident in the surprising twisty, modern fairy tale for all.
Overview: After a child is snatched away from her home and imprisoned in a far-off and lonely tower, her destiny and that of another star-crossed teenager entwine in a tale that reveals the story that Shakespeare and the Brothers Grimm never told.
If you think you know the story of Romeo and Juliet, think again… Author Joanne Van Leerdam expertly winds a charming and creative backstory into the ill-fated teens’ lives that results in unexpected tragedy for one even as another finds their happily-ever-after.
Borrowing from two classic tales (Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm), Van Leerdam reveals her skills as a master-storyteller in “A Rose by Any Other Name” by combining and injecting two long-familiar stories with a series of unpredictable twists and turns that even the most discerning reader will find curious but entertaining. Beloved characters from the two original classics take up fresh new roles as relationships get tangled up in a brand new story that is well-conceived, creative, and driven.
As a spinoff, “A Rose by Any Other Name” gives new meaning and insight into the two classic plot lines set up by their original authors. The end result of Van Leerdam’s highly imaginative creation, as well as these venerable characters’ destinies, is both tragic and triumphant.
I highly recommend this short story to anyone (teen through adult) who loves romance, fairytales, and innovative works.
This was one of the coolest books I’ve read in a while. It’s a mix of classic literature like Grimm’s fairytales and Shakespeare. We’re taken on a journey full of romance and paranormal surprises…not to mention angst and anguish. Characters that we once knew have been beautifully reintroduced to us. My only issue with this book is I wish it had been longer! I didn’t want to say goodbye to the world the author created here.