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kssimpson's review against another edition
2.0
made sense until Polonius died. After that, it just felt forced. I'm sick of people trying to turn Shakespeare's tragic female characters into these ultra feminist roles. Don't get me wrong, I think there's room for that. Make Hamlet a woman. Gender swap Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. (By the way, productions that do things like that are genius!) But I don't really see the Ophelias and Juliets as being these characters that are meant for this kind of thing.
Also, Horatio/Ophelia endgame was confusing and didn't match his character.
My million dollar idea: Hamlet from the POV of Polonius.
Also, Horatio/Ophelia endgame was confusing and didn't match his character.
My million dollar idea: Hamlet from the POV of Polonius.
sarahmergl's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
kittarlin's review against another edition
2.0
At times interesting, especially the last 50 pages or so. Everything up to her "drowning" is pretty predictable, including the "dangerous secret" played up by the jacket blurb.
cwerber's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Court intrigue was never my thing. However the character of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet always intrigued me.
rey's review against another edition
2.0
The only reason I read this book is Daisy Ridley. I really loved the movie “Ophelia” and her acting was so good. When I found out it’s based on a book, I had to read it.
Yes, I know it was Shakespeare’s Hamlet by Ophelia’s POV when I watched the movie but I didn’t know it was based on a book that was based on Hamlet.
I was kinda disappointed, not gonna lie. I read a few pages when I started, didn’t read for one day and finished at one sitting. It was actually going well at the first. I loved Part One, half of Part Two then it became extremely boring. I think if it was shorter, it would be better. I feel like it’s been that long for no reason. Part Three honestly didn’t make any sense to me. It was really hard to finish because most of the time I was like “what’s going on why does this keep happening?”
But still, it was enjoyable. I loved how curious Ophelia was and how she wanted to belong.
Yes, I know it was Shakespeare’s Hamlet by Ophelia’s POV when I watched the movie but I didn’t know it was based on a book that was based on Hamlet.
I was kinda disappointed, not gonna lie. I read a few pages when I started, didn’t read for one day and finished at one sitting. It was actually going well at the first. I loved Part One, half of Part Two then it became extremely boring. I think if it was shorter, it would be better. I feel like it’s been that long for no reason. Part Three honestly didn’t make any sense to me. It was really hard to finish because most of the time I was like “what’s going on why does this keep happening?”
But still, it was enjoyable. I loved how curious Ophelia was and how she wanted to belong.
darthmadison's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings on this book. I really, really enjoyed the middle chunk. I loved reading about Hamlet and Ophelia before Hamlet goes crazy. Their banter is perfect and witty and amazing. Horatio as always is a pleasure and a much needed character. I love how Ophelia has her space to tell why she's into Hamlet especially as he pretends/is crazy to trick his uncle into revealing he killed his dad. I love how Ophelia's really fleshed out, she makes her own choices, and really wants a mom. It's so pure
But this book could have been at least 150 pages shorter. The beginning chunk with her growing up did not need to be that detailed. The ending after she ran away, the whole nun chunk could have been skipped to where Horatio shows up at the end. Perfect.
Dare i say it, but i think i enjoyed the movie better than this book. It's more concise, the characters are wittier. The characters she created aren't in it as much which is fine by me. I don't think they added a lot to the story. I did like how Metchild and Gertrude are sisters to beat home the men are terrible theme.
I wish Ophelia would have thought at least once about Horatio before he showed up at the end in a way that would tell us how her feelings toward him have changed. But i really liked the ending.
But this book could have been at least 150 pages shorter. The beginning chunk with her growing up did not need to be that detailed. The ending after she ran away, the whole nun chunk could have been skipped to where Horatio shows up at the end. Perfect.
Dare i say it, but i think i enjoyed the movie better than this book. It's more concise, the characters are wittier. The characters she created aren't in it as much which is fine by me. I don't think they added a lot to the story. I did like how Metchild and Gertrude are sisters to beat home the men are terrible theme.
I wish Ophelia would have thought at least once about Horatio before he showed up at the end in a way that would tell us how her feelings toward him have changed. But i really liked the ending.
diaryofanemophilist's review against another edition
4.0
Whimsical, dark, thought-provoking re-imagination of a classic. Loved sharing Ophelia's struggle to reconcile her duties to her father, her husband, her queen, her friends, and herself. Ophelia's understanding of and talent for the 13th-century healing arts was very intriguing and relatable to me as a nurse. :)
kemcginley's review
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
book_amour08's review
The writing was okay, I didn’t connect with Ophelia. I knew from about 30 pages in there was a chance I would have to stop this book. Inappropriate and very odd is about 50% of the book. I would’ve liked it much more if it actually focused on the plot instead of guys chasing Ophelia around and trying to look up her skirt. I skimmed from there to see if there was anything else, and it was graphic at the end and I knew it wouldn’t be worth it.
2/10 wouldn’t waste your time.
2/10 wouldn’t waste your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, and Gore