Srsly? Romeo and Juliet rewritten in text speak is driving people nuts

Never was a story of more woe, than that of lol, jk, and yolo.

This is one of those things you will either think is a pretty good idea, or it will make you unreasonably angry with the world.

Shakespeare has been translated into "text speak". Never was a story of more woe [sad emoji].

Yes, you can now buy a version of the Bard's finest literary masterpieces where every single word has been replaced by slang that you might use if you needed to shorten things down for a text message or to fit into a Snapchat.

The two books in the OMG Shakespeare series - that's 'YOLO Juliet' and 'Srsly Hamlet' - were published late last month, and have been making Twitter users sick and pale with grief since photos emerged online.

The authors, apparently, include "William Shakespeare", who is either rolling in his grave or wholeheartedly approving of this modernist take.

At least the author of the other book in the series, 'Srsly Hamlet', had the decency to use the dedication for an apology. Take it in what sense thou wilt.

One of the most famous scenes in romance, when Romeo and Julet see each other across a crowded party, gets the YOLO Juliet treatment:

Romeo: At a party I'm not supposed to be at lol. [Thumbs up emoji] Whoa! Spotted a hottie. She. Is. #PERFECT. [star emoji] [heart] [star emoji].

Ay me! Or perhaps you've had your blood stirred by the most famous scene in all of theatre, as Juliet laments upon the balcony? They've got you covered - with a voice memo, which is somehow typed out in the notes app!

Or maybe you studied Hamlet for your Leaving Certificate. A divisive tale of betrayal and inner torment, some take issue with the lack of action and its lethargic protagonist, while other love it for its subtlety.

FIXED!

We think, maybe, the Amazon reviews sum up the general reaction best. One suggests that "your next purchase after this 'book' should be adult diapers, a fulltime nurse, and abandon all hope for your kids and humanity."

Though, to be fair, the only reviewer who explicitly said they've read the book said it was "by far is the cutest and most entertaining" version of the tale.

Random House, the publisher, is also planning 'Macbeth #Killingit' and 'A Midsummer Night #Nofilter'.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against revision of classic tales. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is, itself, a retelling of a classic Italian love story.

If you want an ultra-modern retelling, I can't recommend Romeo X Juliet - a Japanese animated version with flying horses in which Juliet is a vigilante by night - enough.

The big question, though, is who this series is targeting.

Do we really think that teens read books like this, in the same style as texting? And is taking a smartphone dialogue and printing it on actual paper really an idea that works?

— You can find 'Yolo Juliet' and'Srsly Hamlet' at Amazon.