A Full review can be found here

https://nordie.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/book-review-new-boy-by-tracy-chevalier/

A Full review can be found here

https://nordie.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/book-review-new-boy-by-tracy-chevalier/

I think it’s important to acknowledge that Shakespeare is tricky business. I’ve always been a bit of a fan but then again, it’s a bit more of a love hate relationship (me and anything Shakespeare). The writing is good, the stories are great, but they can be a bit hard to digest. Reading Shakespeare is NOT for everyone and what a shame it is because a lot of people miss out on some great works.

The Hogarth Shakespeare retellings that have been coming out really offer up an opportunity for many of us to experience Shakespeare in a way that is a bit more relatable, easier to understand, easier to enjoy. And also worth mentioning are the wonderful authors that have taken up the task to do these retellings – there have been some incredible ones.

New Boy is the retelling of the Shakespearean tragedy Othello. If you are familiar with the original, you know that this is not going to be a feel good kind of book. It’s supposed to be sad and it should make you angry. Tracy Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring) delivers as expected, making this dark story even more relevant and even more painful than ever.

New Boy takes place in the 1970’s at a very suburban, very white Washington elementary school. 6th grader Osei is not only the new boy coming in at the end of the year, long after social circles have been established, he is also the only black student. When the very popular Dee shows affection towards Osei, some of the other students and even teachers respond in the most regrettable of ways. Blatant racism, bullying, jealousy, adolescence and ignorance ignite this dark tale that takes place over the span of just one very tragic school day.

At the end of the story, I felt angry and sad for Osei. But that was the whole point.

I give this great retelling, 4 dramatic stars!

I was fortunate enough to have received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!

*reviews can be found at: http://abookishabode.com ( )

Othello retold in the realm of a high-stakes 6th grade playground. Chevalier captured the emotional tumult of burgeoning puberty and otherness in a suburb of DC during the 1970s. The atmosphere was so well integrated (pun intended) that it felt like a character.

I found this book because of the narrator who I enjoyed from another story, Prentice Onayemi. He was amazing and brought the story vividly to life. Highly recommend anything he narrates! ( )

CW: Racial slurs, boys physically assaults girls, boy jumps off top of jungle gym due to despair he felt over wrong accusations he made, girl is pulled off playground equipment and is likely paralysed.

Well that didn't really work.

Firstly, I have no idea why Tracy chose to set her Othello retelling in middle school. 11 year olds being conniving over a pencil case doesn't quite stand up to the manipulation and mistrust that is so well done in the original play. Secondly, the intense romantic relationships felt quite odd for this age group. It would have been better set in high school when the themes could have been more thoroughly explored in a less inappropriate setting. That being said, I don't think this book is for middle schoolers. I'm not sure who the target audience is, actually. I have, however, purchased a copy for the library as part of a novel study about retellings of classics. ( )