I wouldn't recommend

It's not that it's a bad book, the story is ok, some interesting theories but a bit dull & predictable in places & I found it hard to stay interested at times. It's just a Da Vinci Code style of Shakespeare theories, legends & myths & unfortunately the comparisons are inescapable.
It was well read in general but I found some of the voices used for various characters weird & jarring & the accents were muddled, embarrassing & quite cringe worthy.
It wouldn't come to mind if someone were asking me for recommendations I'm afraid.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Disappointing!

There is no doubt that the author has researched the subject of Shakespeare and the various associated mysteries and conspiricies in commendable detail, but unfortunately it does not make for an enjoyable listening experience. The construction of the plot and the book in general is contrived and clumbsy. Potential enjoyment is further marred by poor narration. The female American first person narration is almost comedic and does not suit the nature of the book at all. Often parts of the narration slump into farce with a Cockney accent that makes Dick Van Dyke sound like a skilled linguist; an English aristrocrat who is a dead ringer for Snake in the Simpsons; and a so called Yorkshire accent that owes more to the west of Ireland!!

The book has been compared to the Da Vinci Code, but in reality it is only similar insofar as it explores age old mysteries and speculation based on historical ambiguity. All in all it is not an enjoyable listening experience. It may be that the book is a better 'read' than 'listen' , or that a more professional narration would help its cause, but as it stands it fails to impress. I was very disappointed as I had been looking forward to this coming out in audiobook format.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

As bad as Dan Brown

I think enough has been made of the narration. Let's look at the poor quality of the writing which is hidden below. Dan Brown can be very irritating to read as a result of his ineptness as a writer, but this is even more awkward with odd 'literary' sentences full of inappropriate similes and Brownesque repetitions (see Digital Fortress which has 3 separate and pointless beginnings). Here the repetition is there to insult the reader. The writing gets better when the ins and outs of shakespearian scholarship come up, but the action is handled with huge ineptness. Shame, it was an intriguing, if rather derivative, premise. A few evening classes in creative writing are needed here, and avoid first person narration.
Is it possible to give a book no stars?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Awful simply awful!

What would have made The Shakespeare Secret better?

The only thing that would have made this book better was not writing it!

What was most disappointing about J L Carrell’s story?

Nearly everything about this pathetic story was highly disappointing however as a plot idea I think it was a good one but the author must be a Dan Brown fan or was told how much he made with one book as it became a parody! Of the same ilk of Dan Brown but at least hasn't caused the same hysteria. I will never go anywhere near anything written by this author

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The Narrator was awful maybe that's why it uncredited accents what accents someone train this person. However maybe the more accredited narrators read this book and felt the same about this awful drivel and they pulled this narrator from the street.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Couldn't delete this fast enough

Any additional comments?

Do not waste your time on this! How could this rubbish get a sequel!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Move over Dick Van Dyke

The book is dramatically overshadowed by the narrator's foray into the various accents of the characters. Her English accents are even worse than the famous cockney of Dick V.D. Absolutley amazing. Whoever authorised the release of this version should crawl into a corner and hope the earth swallows them up. The Australian accent has to be heard to be disbelieved! I've only read the first of the two part downloads, but have given up because the story line becomes absolutly purile when you hear it read in some sort of ' ere guvernor - wot a night luv' parody of the English language.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Peerless Insanity

Truly the worst narration I have ever heard. At times, during the attempts at national and regional accents, it borders on racism- but most of the time it just borders on insanity. Worth a listen for the 'so bad it's almost good' factor.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful