Well Read Company Book Reviews: Romeo and Juliet

The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and in our minds romance is definitely in the air! One of our most beautiful designs features Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece: Romeo and Juliet. The story of the two young lovers is celebrated with our gorgeous design, which is printed on to our famous handbag that looks like a book. Grab your book bag or purse for the bookworm in your life before they all sell out! 

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, threatening to bring a tear to even the most cynical romantic’s eye. No one has been ever to capture the mix of euphoric young love and soul-shattering tragedy like the true master of literature. Celebrate the Bard’s ingenuity with our classic design, featuring Ford Madox Brown’s beautiful 1870 oil painting which brings to life the poetic longing of the play. 

“These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder
Which, as they kiss, consume”

The play begins with the meeting of the two star-crossed lovers at a party, where they instantly fall in love at first sight. What follows is their frenzied effort to marry without their feuding families finding out, which is aided by kindly Friar Lawrence. Tragically, the plan goes awry after Romeo fights and kills Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. Ultimately, the lovers die in order to be with one another, whilst their distraught families are left to ponder the true cost of their petty hatred towards each other.

The fact that Shakespeare’s masterpiece remains relatable 400 years ago is a remarkable feat! We can still see ourselves in Romeo’s dramatic teenage reaction to Juliet’s beauty, and her innocent longing to be in love.