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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Starre, the Moone, the Sunne is a work of fiction penned by author Ron Destro in the historical, intrigue, and interpersonal drama subgenres. This work is suitable for the general adult listening audience and is presented in audiobook format with narration by Sir Derek Jacobi. Our story unfolds in 1624 London, where a printer's execution, a poet's kidnapping, and the emptying of a grave in Stratford-upon-Avon set the stage for a revelation about William Shakespeare's true identity. The plot weaves through historical events, highlighting the love of fathers, the perils of the plague, and the mysterious life and death of the Bard of Avon. The tale, filled with suspense and humor, explores themes of personal identity and the challenges of love.
Author Ron Destro's storytelling is a delightful blend of history and fiction, creating characters that resonate with passion and authenticity and settling them into a realistic alternate version of history. The plot twists are plentiful but never so fanciful that they lose touch with reality, keeping the listener engaged while the well-researched details of historical accuracy have us grounded in Shakespearean life. The emotional connections, especially on the themes of a father's love and the impact of the plague, contribute to the central heart of the tale with some very expressive speech and thought presentation that hits you right in the heart. I was also impressed with the way the dialogue is so accessible and easy to understand but still sounds authentic for its time.
Sir Derek Jacobi offers a stellar performance with so much nuance and depth. Jacobi's skilled delivery brings each character to life with distinctive voices and accents, and his expressive narration adds additional layers to the characters from between the lines of the text, which really enhances the overall enjoyment of the tale. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Starre, the Moone, the Sunne as a captivating and well-produced audio experience, marrying an intriguing story with impeccable narration for a truly special experience exploring the possibilities of the past.
