# Shakespeare’s Sonnets — user reviews > 65 indexed App Store user reviews of Shakespeare’s Sonnets by NatureGuides Ltd., rated 5.00/5 from 18 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakespeares-sonnets/id528646395/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakespeares-sonnets/id528646395.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 18 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 0 ## Newest reviews (15 of 65) ### 5/5 — Fantastic app *2014-10-25, version 1.0.4* This well-made app is a wonderful way to read and listen to Shakespeare's poetry and is well worth it's price ### 5/5 — Such stuff as dreams are made on ... *2014-10-23, version 1.0.4* My idea of happiness. A beautiful, portable volume of Shakespeare's sonnets read by a company of top actors. Just delightful to look at, and to listen to, and worth every penny. ### 5/5 — Shakespeare's sonnets from touch press *2014-10-21, version 1.0.4* The most expensive app I've bought and worth every ducat. Used to pack a battered copy of the sonnets in my suitcase every time I travelled. Now this comes with me. Great company. A joy. ### 5/5 — Beautiful *2014-10-20, version 1.0.4* A treasure trove, if you like Shakespeare or want to know him better this is the app to go. ### 5/5 — Stunning all-purpose Sonnet tool *2014-07-18, version 1.0.2* If the sonnets are of any interest to you (and they should be) this gem is a wonderful first resource: a combination of video/audio performances synced to the onscreen text, historical and literary commentary (also linked to the text, with copious references to other works, as well as to other sonnets-linked, of course!), a favorites list, a space for my notes, and the kicker, a Quarto, also linked and cross referenced! This is my first stop when I undertake the journey of a new sonnet. A slick, attractive, intuitive and well thought out interface makes it a breeze to use, with nearly all its many features available no matter where you are in the app. Great design and content make this a no brainier for anyone needing an accessible introduction, or a deeper understanding of, these often overlooked masterworks. ### 5/5 — Wonderful *2014-05-31, version 1.0.3* There are so many ways you can enjoy this - listening to the actors whilst reading the text; watching the actors perform; reading the original digitised publication; reading the comprehensive notes. You can add your own notes and bookmark favourite sonnets. You can find a sonnet by keyword. You can search for all the sonnets performed by a particular actor. It is a joy! ### 5/5 — Astonishing *2014-04-28, version 1.0.3* An incredible learning resource. The layout and functionality is a dream, and the content is a rare treat for amateurs and academics alike. The interactivity sets it apart from any other edition of the Sonnets. Personally would have liked some more Original Pronunciation; Ben Crystal is a marvel. Highly, highly recommended. Had the best commute of my life today! ### 5/5 — Best app ever *2014-03-21, version 1.0.2* This is an amazing app on Shakespeare's sonnets. Each sonnet is performed beautifully by well known people, and you can even have the words side by side as they read. You can also view the text on its own, bring up Arden notes, and view a facsimile reproduction from the first original publication of the sonnets. If you just enjoy Shakespeare's sonnets, or you want to learn more about them and even perhaps how best to perform them, then this app is the best, and with the interactive way in which you can read, listen and watch, it makes it better than a book. Highly recommend this app to anyone with an interest in Shakespeare. I love it!! ### 5/5 — Brilliant - innovative - beautiful *2014-03-07, version 1.0.2* This app has reawakened my interest in Shakespeare and open my eyes not just to these marvellous Sonnets but also to the wonderful resources available for us to learn at any age. The content seems to me to be just right, the performances beautifully understated and timeless and the app runs smoothly. Most of all it makes appreciating these works and reflecting on them a great and varied pleasure. The only thing that doesn't work is the Write a Review button (sort of works in landscape on iPAd) ### 5/5 — How could it be better? *2014-02-22, version 1.0.2* You've got the Shakespearean actors and scholars reading the bard's sonnets, along with a plethora of extras. It just couldn't get any better. Bravo and thanks to the creators of this fine app. Come on, you other owners of this app, get in there and write the kind of reviews this app deserves! ### 5/5 — Wonderful collection *2014-02-14, version 1.0.2* I can't think of a better way to enjoy the Sonnets than read by these wonderful actors. "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day", read by David Tennant, just made my Valentine's Day. ### 5/5 — Wonderful Resource From Touch Press *2013-12-25, version 1.0.1* Yet again, Touch Press have come up with another winner. These developers have certainly set the gold standard for interactive educational apps. Fantastic resource for a teacher or student of Shakespeare. Fantastic app for the Shakespeare lover. Great brace of Shakespearian actors who do beautiful renditions of these beloved sonnets. Some would consider Touch Press’s apps to be too pricey, but they are worth every single cent. Brilliant! ### 5/5 — An app worthy of the Bard *2013-12-19, version 1.0.1* The extraordinary thing about this app is that there is literally more reference material, comment, first folio pictures and actors than you can shake a quill at. That before the simply stunning performances of the actors involved in the readings of these fabulous and unique sonnets. It's a gold-mine of poetry and reference and I have already trawled its depths many times. I am on my second pass through the sonnets and have tweeted every single one on a daily basis. Each time I get to a new one I have to read the fascinating details from both Arden and Don Patterson (who put the other commentaries together) and compare the way the sonnet appeared by looking at the first folio pics. I can also make notes of my own and make up a favourites list. I then marvel at the performers. I am not sure how the publishers were able to get together the distinguished groups of actors they did but the bonus of having them on this app is second to none. It's well worth the price and is in every sense worthy of Shakespeare's efforts to describe his feelings of love, loss, beauty, age, time, history and much much more. ### 5/5 — Wow *2013-11-08, version 1.0.1* Not much else to say but Wow. Not only do we have the complete text of the sonnets. Not only do we have the full Arden introduction and notes by the formidable Katharine Duncan Jones. Not only do we have wonderful readings of every single one of the sonnets, on video, by some of the finest actors of our time (Patrick Stewart, Simon Callow, Cicely Berry, Dominic West, Fiona Shaw). Not only do we have on-screen commentary by notables like the aforesaid Duncan Jones and James Shapiro, Ben Crystal, and others. But we have all this in a well-designed and easily navigable app. So - just Wow. A labor of love for all concerned, with us as the beneficiaries. ### 5/5 — Great *2013-05-11, version 1.0.0* Shakespeare's Sonnets is excellent. It is visually rich, has a great deal of information that is easily accessed, and the videos give these poems a kind of freshness. Each poem comes with Arden notes and also commentary by a noted Bardolator. Finally, there are troves of articles about the sonnet form and more. This is well worth the money. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Sonnets *2013-10-30, version 1.0.1* To have sonnets or not, that is the question. I have had exactly the same problem as others. The new version simply will not download. This is an absolute disgrace. Someone needs to look into this. I just feel totally cheated. ### 1/5 — Broken on iOS7 *2013-09-22, version 1.0.0* The text is all messed up following an upgrade to iOS7. The lines are widely spaces and the indentations are all off. The sonnets no longer fit on a page, I can't stand reading them in such an ugly format. It is vile and vile esteemed. ### 1/5 — A little too celebrity obsessed for me *2012-07-28, version 1.0.0* Call me a purist, but I don't want to see images of celebrities on top of my text when I am reading Shakespeare. Especially I don't wan't to see a talking head of Kim Cattrell. I rate this Meh because the concept is good but the designers have underestimated their audience, believing this presentation is what people want. ### 3/5 — Update please *2021-01-02, version 1.0.7* This app doesn’t work any more on latest iPad software. Needs updating ### 3/5 — Shakespeare's Sonnets *2013-10-20, version 1.0.1* I downloaded the previous version of this app at a cost of, if I remember, £6.99. It was a wonderful app and I was gradually working my way through each of the sonnets. Then came the request, via the App Store, for me to upgrade. What a big mistake that was. It wouldn't load and was stuck in downloading mode for weeks. The message came up that I didn't have enough space which baffled me as I already had the original download. I could no longer open the app so have had to delete it. What a waste of my money. Very very disappointed. And very sad. I give the Sonnets 5 stars but have taken two away because of the download problems. ### 3/5 — Great performances but terrible commentary *2012-09-07, version 1.0.0* The video performances of the sonnets are outstanding. All the performers give thoughtful and powerful performances of the poems. The texts--both the modern version and the facsimiles--are clear and helpful. Unfortunately, the commentary is awful. It is both limited and limiting in its interpretation of the poems, often tying them down to a single biographical meaning instead of allowing for the many levels of meaning that makes Shakespeare's writing so enjoyable. Skip this commentary and read Booth or Vendler instead. ### 4/5 — Brilliant but boy, those updates *2014-10-22, version 1.0.4* This is a beautiful brilliant app, as are the others. Buy them all. But beware the updates, they are as large as the original app but take much longer to download if you have skinny broadband. So only four stars because a ‘few weeks’ do not warrant an update! ### 5/5 — Terrific presentation of great poetry *2021-09-25, version 1.0.7* I've been going through the sonnets with Patrick Stewart's social media presentation of them. Then I found this app and added that to the mix. Patrick is enthusiastic but unpolished, so these very polished and professional readings make for a nice complement. I have found just a very few readings disappointing, but the rest are excellent, and some are brilliant. I was just this evening blown away by James Shapiro's rendition of Sonnet 138. ### 5/5 — My first download on my new iPad! *2019-03-18, version 1.0.7* Ten years ago I asked for an AppStore gift card and I picked this app. I’ve always loved Shakespeare and this purchase did not disappoint! The readings are wonderful and the text is phenomenal. It’s also wonderful to have Sir Patrick Stewart recite one of your favorite sonnets. A must get for any Shakespeare fan, you will not regret the purchase. It’s sad that I am only the 7th review. This app should have far more interest for the content it contains. I especially loved the scanned images of original works, what a treat to see! ### 5/5 — My Favorite App *2016-12-13, version 1.0.6* This is absolutely my most favorite app!!!! Please make it available on iphone again. ## Most praised reviews (7 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Masterful *2016-02-14, version 1.0.5* A masterpiece! Worth the purchase if you're a Shakespeare sonnet lover. Each actor's rendition is entertaining and moving. Sir Patrick Stewart is my personal favorite. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — amazing, bravo! *2015-08-14, version 1.0.5* I've learned so much, mostly how to enjoy the sonnets. ### 5/5 — Magnificent! *2015-08-12, version 1.0.4* This has to be the most humongous app ever which is a necessary downside to keeping it on an iPad that doesn't have the most memory. But that aside, it is beautifully done. My next iPad will have all the memory available. This app alone is worth doing that! ### 5/5 — Impressive! *2015-01-07, version 1.0.0* This is an amazing collection of high quality videos of talented actors reciting the sonnets, the sonnets themselves with academic notations and analysis as well as facsimiles of the originals. Truly a gift to those who love Shakespeare and want to share him with others. Money well spent! ### 5/5 — Liszt Sonata *2014-12-12, version 1.0.4* A brilliant app. Mind blowing performance by Stephen Hough. Having the score on the page adds to the enjoyment. Sound reproduction on my IPad Air is excellent. ### 5/5 — Love every minute *2014-11-02, version 1.0.4* This is a quality product and I just love it. The actors reciting the sonnets give impeccable delivery of the lines, there are accompanying explanatory notes and other extras. This app brings the sonnets clarity and meaning hard to find on your own. Strongly recommended. ### 5/5 — Shakespeare's sonnets *2014-10-26, version 1.0.4* A wonderful resource. Every teacher of English should have it! Dr Who and Captain Picard read poetry! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-21.*