Romeo and Juliet The Novel Author:William Shakespeare, Tom Kyle You get all the play's lines and the easy read of a novel. Now the reader can know the characters' actions, to whom they speak, and in what manner. Moments of comic relief become recognizable. Shakespeare's words and phrases are retained, but difficult words and phrases are no longer a challenge. Alternate words and phrases bracketed just a... more »fter them removes the challenge. The italicized text within the brackets means no interruptions to look at footnotes. It may be a novel, but the author has taken care to cover the play with a thin and delicate coating. The agree with Shakespeare that "The play's the thing."« less