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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Another great book from Lisa M. Klein. As she states in her afterword, this gives more of a story to Ophelia and offers her the role of a strong woman (not crazy, if I remember correctly from my Shakespeare-reading high school days). A heartbreaking story at times, it truly showcases one girl-to-woman's story of finding herself and conquering life's battles.
The throw away treatment of Ophelia has always bothered me in ‘Hamlet’. She goes mad and drowns herself because the guy she likes isn’t interested anymore? And yes her father does die at her lover’s hands - a completely legitimate reason for emotional turmoil- but that is totally downplayed as a reason.
This novel gives Ophelia a voice and a brain. She is a woman who can see the world crumbling around her and has to decide how to survive it.
Hamlet’s actions seem more irrational from Ophelia’s perspective. He lets his love for her completely fall apart the moment suspicion consumes his mind . It really showcases the difference between courtly love and actual love.
The narrative works as an excellent contrast to ‘Hamlet’. The play shows how holding onto the past can destroy your future and ‘Ophelia’ shows how letting go of the past can give you a future.
This novel gives Ophelia a voice and a brain. She is a woman who can see the world crumbling around her and has to decide how to survive it.
Hamlet’s actions seem more irrational from Ophelia’s perspective. He lets his love for her completely fall apart the moment suspicion consumes his mind . It really showcases the difference between courtly love and actual love.
The narrative works as an excellent contrast to ‘Hamlet’. The play shows how holding onto the past can destroy your future and ‘Ophelia’ shows how letting go of the past can give you a future.
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this book was the pineapple lifesaver of books. i neither liked it nor disliked it.
So I didn't actually read the book but I watched the 2018 movie. It was great.
5/5 Retelling of Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective. She got her revenge but her sister died she killed herself - her husband and son were dead and she probably thought her sister was mad at her & came to kill her Hamlet wanted revenge & died. Both Kings died - I feel like it is unfair that Horatio didn't get out. Like why was he there? He knew; loyalty was his down full. Ophelia got any & didn't seek any revenge s b/c really she had no one to be mad it. Except hamlet really who was like nah I pick over you. I like that the story was really about Ophelia getting to tell her side, that she isn’t someone to be pitied. She was the only get out. In Hamlet Ophelia is so basic like I remember thinking she was annoying like that the movie showed that was all to fake out everyone. Witches, love, Strong women
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Meh. It’s a very typical YA, although the vocabulary does vary more than most, which I enjoyed. Despite being an alternate version of Hamlet, I just didn’t find Ophelia and Hamlet to be…believable? They had no chemistry, and to be frank, I thought she would be far better with Horatio. I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book and thought it would be 4 stars but the last 1/3…awful. Not at all the vibes I was expecting, even if it fits Ophelia’s character or whatever. Would not reread.
The only thing I think this could have used was more Horatio.
This book is an interesting take on Shakespeare's Hamlet. Overall the book was interesting, and I thought it was good. My only issue with it was that it lost pace somewhere in the middle. The plot changed too suddenly and then I found it really hard to stay interested in it. I am glad that I pushed through and finished the book because in the end I enjoyed it, but it was definitely work trying to find the will power to read it. This book will never be one of my favourites but I am glad I read it.
Knowing only the basics of the Hamlet story I was intrigued by this tale from Ophelias point of view. It was very well told and romantic, full of tragedy of course but it had a great twist and a happy ending!