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emilycm's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i think the most interesting scenes were between ophelia and hamlet, seeing their relationship develop, as this was very obviously the core of the story to begin with. but that was about all that was favourable, or digestable, about this retelling.
i love the character of ophelia, and i will always appreciate and fawn over new interpretations of her character, and the things that get overlooked about her in the original telling. BUT, the whole "ophelia's not like other girls" annoyed me a little, in the way it was reinforced over and over, until it felt very dry and not substantive to the character. i do believe that's the beauty of hamlet and ophelia's relationship, they are thoughtful and intelligent people.
i have seen the movie adaptation of this, which honestly, is probably better in some ways, but i think that there is a lot to be said about the idea of changing the whole perception of how ophelia dies. like, i firmly am in the belief that some of the tragedy, and magnificence and resonance, of ophelia's story, and hamlet as a whole, is that she dies! it's fucking tragic and makes me upset, but is so central to her story and role in this larger telling. so, i kind of very much don't love the new interpretation; it's bold, but it doesn't cut it for me.
i love the character of ophelia, and i will always appreciate and fawn over new interpretations of her character, and the things that get overlooked about her in the original telling. BUT, the whole "ophelia's not like other girls" annoyed me a little, in the way it was reinforced over and over, until it felt very dry and not substantive to the character. i do believe that's the beauty of hamlet and ophelia's relationship, they are thoughtful and intelligent people.
i have seen the movie adaptation of this, which honestly, is probably better in some ways, but i think that there is a lot to be said about the idea of changing the whole perception of how ophelia dies. like, i firmly am in the belief that some of the tragedy, and magnificence and resonance, of ophelia's story, and hamlet as a whole, is that she dies! it's fucking tragic and makes me upset, but is so central to her story and role in this larger telling. so, i kind of very much don't love the new interpretation; it's bold, but it doesn't cut it for me.
the_lady_disdain's review against another edition
1.0
Was this the worst book I've ever read? No, that "honour" still belongs to Mr Pip. But was it a really unpleasant experience? With absolute certainty
serenity_then's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable to read, but toward the end I noticed a Christian connotation which I somewhat disliked.
alissawva's review against another edition
4.0
Are you familiar with Shakespeare's Hamlet? This book is a retelling of the play but the focus in on Ophelia. It is very well written and I love the idea of the story begin told from a female perspective and focusing upon what life would have been like for a woman during that era. I should point out that the play Hamlet actually took place during the medieval times, and this story takes place later, perhaps during the Renaissance. Not a big deal, and all the more interesting as a result.
hopegirl0727's review against another edition
3.0
While an interesting book, I didn't really find it all that novel. Ophelia herself was an emotional roller coaster that wore me out, and I didn't really find any revelations in her character. But it was enjoyable and I liked imagining what had happened to her after the play had concluded.
samreads12's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced and descriptive, Lisa Klein take Shakespeare’s most loved play and makes it her own. Not satisfied with the Ophelia’s story in the original play Hamlet, Kleien expands the character and gives her a life of her own.
Ophelia is independent and always asking questions. She’s brave and headstrong. She questions her role in society and the role women have overall. She’s smart and opinionated.
Ophelia also has insecurities but Klein forces her to wade through her own obstacles to overcome them.
Klein stays true to the original Elizabethan english from the play and even keeps some of the most memorable dialogue from the play and places them in the story.
Klein smoothly twists the story to suit her desire. She adds a plot twist of her own to add more depth to Ophelia and her story.
Ophelia is independent and always asking questions. She’s brave and headstrong. She questions her role in society and the role women have overall. She’s smart and opinionated.
Ophelia also has insecurities but Klein forces her to wade through her own obstacles to overcome them.
Klein stays true to the original Elizabethan english from the play and even keeps some of the most memorable dialogue from the play and places them in the story.
Klein smoothly twists the story to suit her desire. She adds a plot twist of her own to add more depth to Ophelia and her story.
brookepalmer796's review against another edition
2.0
More about lust than love. Too many feminist ideals and not enough Shakespearean wit.
slimy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was one of my favorite books in middle school, and I read it mainly for nostalgia’s sake, but did enjoy it again as an adult. This was the book that sparked an obsession with Hamlet, and is the reason why Horatio is forever my favorite.
Entirely age-appropriate of the YA genre, this is a sweet, strong coming-of-age story that centers a well-know female character who typically goes overlooked.
Entirely age-appropriate of the YA genre, this is a sweet, strong coming-of-age story that centers a well-know female character who typically goes overlooked.