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Sue Barnard
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The Ghostly Father: A mystery romance based on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet Kindle Edition

by Sue Barnard (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 90 ratings
Was this what really happened to Romeo & Juliet? Think you know the world's most famous love story? Think again. What if the story of Romeo & Juliet really happened - but not quite in the way we've all been told? This part-prequel, part-sequel to the original tale, told from the point of view of the Friar, tells how an ancient Italian manuscript reveals secrets and lies which have remained hidden for hundreds of years, and casts new doubts on the official story of Shakespeare's famous star-crossed lovers. If you love the Romeo & Juliet story but are disappointed with the way it ended, this is the book for you.
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  1. Print length
    254 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 6, 2018
  4. File size
    4.8 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07J4BK9Y4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ocelot Press; 2nd edition (October 6, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 6, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 90 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Sue Barnard

    Sue Barnard

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    Sue Barnard is a British novelist, editor and award-winning poet. She was born in North Wales but has spent most of her life in and around Manchester. After graduating from Durham University, where she studied French and Italian, Sue got married then had a variety of office jobs before becoming a full-time parent. If she had her way, the phrase "non-working mother" would be banned from the English language.

    Sue has a mind which is sufficiently warped as to be capable of compiling questions for BBC Radio 4's fiendishly difficult "Round Britain Quiz". This once caused one of her sons to describe her as "professionally weird." The label has stuck.

    In addition to working as an editor for Crooked Cat/Darkstroke Books and Ocelot Press, Sue is the author of six novels: The Ghostly Father, Nice Girls Don't, The Unkindest Cut of All, Never on Saturday, Heathcliff and Finding Nina.

    She is also very interested in Family History. Her own background is far stranger than any work of fiction; she'd write a book about it if she thought anybody would believe her.

    Sue lives in Cheshire, UK, with her extremely patient husband and a large collection of unfinished scribblings.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Ocelot Press

    Ocelot Press

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    Ocelot Press is an independent cooperation of bestselling and award-winning authors writing mainly historical fiction, women's fiction and mystery. Our books take our readers across time and into faraway places.

    Find out more about us on our website at www.ocelot-press.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
90 global ratings

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Customers find the book to be a wonderful novel with a good tale that unfolds well. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as well written.

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10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful novel with an interesting premise, and one customer notes it's a real page-turner.

"...based on the storyline of a world famous script, but with an intriguing variation of how the original tragedy could have gone with a....... but that..." Read more

"I was thoroughly captivated by this book! To think that someone could take the play and turn it into a novel of this caliber is amazing to me...." Read more

"This book was a very interesting read, and I certainly enjoyed it. The author gave us a credible alternative to Shakespeare's beloved Tragedy...." Read more

"...author writes very well, the pacing is excellent and I found it a real page-turner. There is also a great sense of place and time." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book.

"...It's a well written and crafted novel, loosely based on the storyline of a world famous script, but with an intriguing variation of how the original..." Read more

"...The writing was excellent and I found this book to be a page-turner!..." Read more

"...The author writes very well, the pacing is excellent and I found it a real page-turner. There is also a great sense of place and time." Read more

"...So when I saw this book, I was intrigued by the premise. The author writes well, but there was a lack of tension which took the wind out of the..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Nigel Cronshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Happily not a murder mystery, bank heist or spy vs. spy.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Not strictly my cup of coffee, but I was tipped off by, as it turns out, a friend of the author to give her books a gander. So I dived in and bought. This one, The Ghostly Father, is the first one and I finished it this morning. The backstory is in a modern setting, but the meat of the book is based on the goings on in sixteenth century Venice and Verona, and what really happened to Romeo and Juliet, maybe. While Will Shakespeare may have made the money on the story he wrote, did it really end there, and if not, how did it end? I'm no Shakespeare buff by any stretch, but from fairly early on recognised the main protagonists and where the plot should go. Have to say that I prefer this book's possible outcome to the tragic ending Will has in store for the main parts. It's only a story when all said and done, Jerry Bruckheimer isn't chasing a deal for the film rights. It's a well written and crafted novel, loosely based on the storyline of a world famous script, but with an intriguing variation of how the original tragedy could have gone with a....... but that would be telling too much. It's been a refreshing treat for me to read this, give it a shot.
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  • Kathy
    5.0 out of 5 stars To think that someone could take the play and turn it into a novel of this caliber is amazing to me
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I was thoroughly captivated by this book! To think that someone could take the play and turn it into a novel of this caliber is amazing to me. I really enjoyed Fra Lorenzo and his story as well as the story he was telling. The writing was excellent and I found this book to be a page-turner! I finally had to force myself to go to bed with it unfinished because I needed to be at work the next day but wasted no time finishing it upon my return home. What a wonderful novel and one I will no doubt read again!
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  • Mercedes Rochelle
    4.0 out of 5 stars A credible alternative
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2014
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    This book was a very interesting read, and I certainly enjoyed it. The author gave us a credible alternative to Shakespeare's beloved Tragedy. Trying not to give anything away, I would say that the romantic side of me that loves a love story and enjoyed the way it turned out. However, I think the reason Shakespeare's play strikes such a chord with almost everyone is because of the tension it builds and the incredible emotional impact it delivers. If you water that down, you take away the power. Nevertheless, I cannot fault the story and if I hadn't read the original I might have seen it differently.
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  • Francophile
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing take on a well-known story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2014
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    Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' was one of my set books at school, so I was intrigued to see how Sue Barnard would handle an alternative version of such a well-known story. I wasn't disappointed. Written from the point of view of Fra' Lorenzo (Friar Lawrence in the play), this is a very plausible scenario. Acting with the best of intentions, Fra' Lorenzo finds himself embroiled in all kinds of intrigues and has to do some nifty footwork to resolve them. The author writes very well, the pacing is excellent and I found it a real page-turner. There is also a great sense of place and time.
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  • zenderella
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Premise but Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2016
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    First, I know the story of Romeo and Juliet rather well having taught it several years. So when I saw this book, I was intrigued by the premise. The author writes well, but there was a lack of tension which took the wind out of the sails of the narrative in my opinion. I loved the idea of telling the story from the Friar's perspective and all his plotting behind the scenes. However, the lack of real tension--aside from keeping secrets from people which seemed to indicate someone would find out something when they weren't supposed to, there was little more to add to the story of Shakespeare's play--except for the big twist. Also the framework of a woman doing the translation didn't seem to serve much purpose as the person reading the manuscript isn't in the story at all. While the story is not bad, I was disappointed. It seems as if the author was stopped short in an effort to avoid tragedy.
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  • Mary Rose
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Really Good Twist!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - to the point where I felt bereaved when I came to the end. Very clever story, a twist on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Well developed characters, they quickly turn into virtual friends for the reader and I felt myself concerned for their welfare. When you worry about characters in a novel, you know it is a good one! The settings were described in such a manner that I could easily picture them in my "mind's eye," and yet they weren't overly descriptive - something that can annoy when a reader is following a story. Well worth five stars in my opinion!
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars a good tale
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2014
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    This us a good story and well told. The set up is interesting. The story unfolds very well. There is a little letdown, but not enough to affect the rating
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  • BrenJohn
    4.0 out of 5 stars Clever
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2016
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    Very unique take on Romeo and Juliet. Very good.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Julie Morris
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great retelling
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve always had mixed feelings about sequels and prequels and retellings of my favourite stories when they aren’t done by the original author and I tend to avoid them. I’m always slightly worried that they won’t be quite as good and might spoil the story or the characters from my most beloved books for me. This happened to me when I saw the film version of Staying On by Paul Scott, a book I adore but could not read for years afterwards and, as they say, once bitten, twice shy. As a result I haven’t watched the film versions of My Sister’s Keeper or The Time Traveller’s Wife, the recent TV adaptation of Anne of Green Gables or read any other versions of Pride & Prejudice, Rebecca or Wuthering Heights.

    You must be wondering by now what possessed me to pick up a book that is both a sequel and a prequel to one of the most beloved and enduring stories of all time, Romeo & Juliet. I can only assume it was a lapse in concentration. Or maybe it was fate because, despite any reservations I might have, I absolutely LOVED this book.

    I know, I’m as shocked as you are. After all I have said, I could not be happier that I picked this book up. I was gripped on the story from start to finish, I adored everything about it and it left me with a really happy feeling that this story exists in tandem with Shakespeare’s version. It has enhanced, rather than tainted, my love of the story and I am in awe of the author’s imagination.

    It always fascinates me the way people’s minds work and what different individuals take from different stories and it was interesting to see what Sue has chosen to focus on from the original tale. This book is written almost wholly from the perspective of the friar, who is a secondary, though important, character in the original story. She has given him and rich, full and pivotal story all of his own which is fully realised and detailed in this book beautifully.

    The setting of historical Venice and Verona is perfectly captured, and the author spares no detail of the societal hierarchy, clothing, manners, social norms, speech – it all feels authentic and roots the reader deeply in the setting and brings it to life. I loved the way she interwove quotes from Shakespeare’s play in to the text, together with quotes from the Franciscan Orders services and prayers. Being prose rather than dialogue and scene directions, Sue is able to give the characters more depth and personality perhaps than is possible in a play and can flesh out their inner thoughts, actions and motivations so we get a deeper understanding of what might be driving them (not to diss the Bard in any way, of course!) Like I said, this is a great spin on the original tale that enhanced my enjoyment of it and made me look at it from another perspective. It’s one of my favourite books of the year so far.

    If you are a fan of Romeo & Juliet, I’m sure you will enjoy this book very much and I recommend you give it a whirl. This is the second prequel/sequel that I have read recently and loved, the other being Miss Marley by Vanessa Lafaye & Becca Mascull. It might be time for me to address my prejudices in this regard.
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  • Elise Abraham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
    Reviewed in France on July 18, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    One of the best books I've read in ages. Although I thought I knew the story, this kept me guessing all the way through. Deep research made it totally believable. Will certainly be reading Ms. Barnard's work again.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on February 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyable read, couldn't put it down
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  • LDW48
    4.0 out of 5 stars A compulsive read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Although not the type of novel I would normally pick up I found The Ghostly Father engaged my interest from the beginning. It is intelligently written and well researched. For a debut novel I believe Sue Barnard has demonstrated exceptional skill as an author in courageously tackling one of the world's greatest love stories and putting her own unique and enthralling spin on the story. I very much wanted to know how the story would end. I won't elaborate on the plot as other reviewers have already done so. The story line is well structured and the pace moves along easily with moments of high tension when I thought everything was going to go awry. The warmth and humanity of the principal narrator flowed off the page and the other characters were also well drawn. The only reason I've given 4 instead of 5 stars is because I would have liked more description of the various locations, particularly the friary, the monk's cell and the gardens, but especially of the towns of Venice, Verona and
    Mantua. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read.
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  • R. Clarke
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent novel that takes a well-loved tale and gives it ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent novel that takes a well-loved tale and gives it new life with twists and turns that The Bard would be proud of. He should approve of the way that Sue Barnard has taken his classic “Romeo and Juliet” and retold it, giving another dimension to his characters and words. Of course the tale didn’t begin with William Shakespeare, as he was a master of building on older works, like in this case where Arthur Brooke’s The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet was his primary source. Although that too was derived from three earlier Italian works.

    Sue Barnard even gives credit to one of these Italian sources, Luigi Da Porto, and in a clever way. This demonstrates the depth of her thorough research, which is most evident in her depiction of monastic life. In fact, the novel weaves a new perspective on the classic tale from the viewpoint of Fra’ Lorenzo – Friar Lawrence in the play. I will not reveal how his account of events unfolds, travelling new paths, but believe me that his experiences are believable and told in a rich, well-crafted telling. I felt transported to fifteenth century Italy and into the lives of the people.

    ”Romeo and Juliet” was one of the first plays that I studied at school and I have always enjoyed it, whether on stage or screen – Franco Zeffirelli’s film being my favourite version. However, this novel added refreshing new depths and dimensions to a story that I always wanted more of. Now I have a new version that I can keep re-reading and discovering more nuances. I always liked Friar Lawrence and now I have more reasons to feel that way – even if he is now Fra’ Lorenzo.
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