Lovely episode! This is my first time actually reading Much Ado, but the Branagh film is one of my go-to favorites. I'll have to check out the Tennant version. The 2013 Whedon adaptation is worth a viewing.
Beatrice is my favorite character. She has such a sharp wit, and despite her upbeatness, there is a sadness in her.
I read this like the screwball comedies of the 1930s with the sharp, witty banter between Beatrice and Benedict masking their attraction to each other. It's so fun.
“Originally launching in 2015, Close Reads is dedicated to deep reading and stimulating conversation about the best novels and short stories ever written. We have read and discussed works by Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, Charlotte Bronte, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Wendell Berry, Dorothy Sayers, Flannery O'Connor, Evelyn Waugh, E.M. Forster, Ernest Gaines, J.R.R. Tolkien, Daphne DuMaurier, Charles Portis, and many, many others — with more to come!” Um… where is P. G. Wodehouse?
I need to go back and rewatch it to be sure but I think the Catherine Tate/David Tennant version plays their first reunion/meeting more comedically rather than as attack on Beatrice's part (of course because it's Catherine Tate and David Tennant). She leans into the sarcasm of the line rather than saying it as pointedly as one could
William, I think you should give O Pioneers another shot! 😉 Heidi did mention that she thought that O Pioneers was more loved by older people, but as a young person I find that it’s really beautiful ☺️
Actually, let me know what you dislike— I think that would help me broaden my perspective lol. And Wuthering Heights is quite a lovely book, if rather strange/ dark/ gothic!
However, I also did not read some of Close Reads’ 2025 booklist as I wasn’t able to get them; I live at a part of the world where it’s harder to find quality books when I want to :)
Yes, I do still miss the traditional sign-off. But I've learned to roll with the weird and unexpected after hanging around here for a while :)
On the theme of noting, would that also apply to all the love note-ing that ensues?
Lovely episode! This is my first time actually reading Much Ado, but the Branagh film is one of my go-to favorites. I'll have to check out the Tennant version. The 2013 Whedon adaptation is worth a viewing.
Beatrice is my favorite character. She has such a sharp wit, and despite her upbeatness, there is a sadness in her.
I read this like the screwball comedies of the 1930s with the sharp, witty banter between Beatrice and Benedict masking their attraction to each other. It's so fun.
“Originally launching in 2015, Close Reads is dedicated to deep reading and stimulating conversation about the best novels and short stories ever written. We have read and discussed works by Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, Charlotte Bronte, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Wendell Berry, Dorothy Sayers, Flannery O'Connor, Evelyn Waugh, E.M. Forster, Ernest Gaines, J.R.R. Tolkien, Daphne DuMaurier, Charles Portis, and many, many others — with more to come!” Um… where is P. G. Wodehouse?
We have done multiple Wodehouse books!
Yes, that’s true but you should be doing at least one per season. I’m currently listening to the Code of the Woosters episodes.
Ha. Well, the polls don’t exactly support that notion within the audience. Sadly.
The “silly young geezers.”
😤🤣😧🫢😩
I need to go back and rewatch it to be sure but I think the Catherine Tate/David Tennant version plays their first reunion/meeting more comedically rather than as attack on Beatrice's part (of course because it's Catherine Tate and David Tennant). She leans into the sarcasm of the line rather than saying it as pointedly as one could
David Tennant stars in the BBC Radio version. These are one of my favorite ways to listen to Shakespeare.
lucky us, this scene specifically is on youtube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKP49qnMLGY
Finally, another good book!!!!
Does this mean you aren’t listening to the episodes about books you don’t think you like? 😅
Books that I read:
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
A Tale of Two Cities
O, Pioneers
Piranesi
The “Great” Gatsby
The Princess and the Goblin
Much Ado About Nothing
Books I didn’t read:
A Farewell to Arms
Wuthering Heights
Books that I regret reading:
O, Pioneers
The “Great” Gatsby
Books that I thought were strange:
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Piranesi
A book that I’m glad I didn’t read:
A Farewell to Arms
Books that I’m glad I read:
A Tale of Two Cities
The Princess and the Goblin
Much Ado About Nothing
William, I think you should give O Pioneers another shot! 😉 Heidi did mention that she thought that O Pioneers was more loved by older people, but as a young person I find that it’s really beautiful ☺️
Actually, let me know what you dislike— I think that would help me broaden my perspective lol. And Wuthering Heights is quite a lovely book, if rather strange/ dark/ gothic!
However, I also did not read some of Close Reads’ 2025 booklist as I wasn’t able to get them; I live at a part of the world where it’s harder to find quality books when I want to :)