Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perhaps I was the hero. I hoped I was the hero.
I really wanted to give this book at least 4 stars, but after reading it, 3 stars will have to suffice.
I adore Hamlet, I've been fanatically obsessed with both the story and the character, and it's how I fell in love with Shakespeare. I was really excited about this book; when I saw this book on BookDepository (RIP), I slammed the BUY button so fast, and I dived into the book with starry eyes and a happy disposition.
I'm not saying the book was a letdown, I simply expected things to be written and done a bit differently. Unfortunately for Laertes, even when it's his perspective and he appears in a retelling of Hamlet, Hamlet is pretty much in the centre of it all, which is what I kind of missed in this retelling. I expected more Denmark court-related things, more letters between Laertes and Hamlet, Laertes and Ophelia and Laertes and his father. Everyone was more or less pushed to the side, and Hamlet's story became the second fiddle to Laertes' sexcapade plot. While I understand why it was put there, just generally made no sense and it kind of felt more like a page filler. Retrospectively, that was such a shame because the ending felt very rushed. I also missed a lot of other characters - Horatio barely made an appearance and was pretty much tossed aside, and Guildenstern and Rosencrantz were completely forgotten.
So far it seems as if I think the book is all bad, but that's not even remotely the case here. The book had very poetic moments, from Latin to subverted Shakespeare's quotes and sayings; it really captured the Shakespearean feel of it. Polonius was masterfully portrayed - eloquent and slimy, all I could see was a nasty weasel. He was somehow even more annoyingly corrupt than in the original.
I by no means regret buying and reading the book; it was still a pleasant experience. I think that my fault was in my expectations. The book is written well, some parts are better than others, but it's eloquent, readable, and all the immersed parts of Hamlet's story make sense. Reimagined bratty and stunningly terrifying and charming Hamlet is not the Hamlet seen in Shakespeare's tragedy, but I can definitely that that'd be Hamlet from Laertes' POV.
I really wanted to give this book at least 4 stars, but after reading it, 3 stars will have to suffice.
I adore Hamlet, I've been fanatically obsessed with both the story and the character, and it's how I fell in love with Shakespeare. I was really excited about this book; when I saw this book on BookDepository (RIP), I slammed the BUY button so fast, and I dived into the book with starry eyes and a happy disposition.
I'm not saying the book was a letdown, I simply expected things to be written and done a bit differently. Unfortunately for Laertes, even when it's his perspective and he appears in a retelling of Hamlet, Hamlet is pretty much in the centre of it all, which is what I kind of missed in this retelling. I expected more Denmark court-related things, more letters between Laertes and Hamlet, Laertes and Ophelia and Laertes and his father. Everyone was more or less pushed to the side, and Hamlet's story became the second fiddle to Laertes' sexcapade plot. While I understand why it was put there, just generally made no sense and it kind of felt more like a page filler. Retrospectively, that was such a shame because the ending felt very rushed. I also missed a lot of other characters - Horatio barely made an appearance and was pretty much tossed aside, and Guildenstern and Rosencrantz were completely forgotten.
So far it seems as if I think the book is all bad, but that's not even remotely the case here. The book had very poetic moments, from Latin to subverted Shakespeare's quotes and sayings; it really captured the Shakespearean feel of it. Polonius was masterfully portrayed - eloquent and slimy, all I could see was a nasty weasel. He was somehow even more annoyingly corrupt than in the original.
I by no means regret buying and reading the book; it was still a pleasant experience. I think that my fault was in my expectations. The book is written well, some parts are better than others, but it's eloquent, readable, and all the immersed parts of Hamlet's story make sense. Reimagined bratty and stunningly terrifying and charming Hamlet is not the Hamlet seen in Shakespeare's tragedy, but I can definitely that that'd be Hamlet from Laertes' POV.
dark
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't read a lot of retellings but I absolutely love this author so wanted to try this audiobook. A retelling of Hamlet, Laertes doesn't get enough attention yet he was a main character in Shakespeare's original.
This is eloquently crafted, taking a few liberties, but all added to the story and just entranced me.
Definitely a tragedy but at the heart of all, friendship and love.
Highly recommend, especially the audiobook which is excellent.
This is eloquently crafted, taking a few liberties, but all added to the story and just entranced me.
Definitely a tragedy but at the heart of all, friendship and love.
Highly recommend, especially the audiobook which is excellent.
Fun, quick read for Hamlet fans. In this version, Hamlet is Laertes’ foil and we see the story through Laertes eyes—the Dane studying at the Sorbonne and working on his fencing skills.
The first part puts Laertes in his college-guy context w two friends. Laertes remembers childhood experiences w Hamlet, the good-with-words prince who always had to be right.
One satisfying embroidery is the insight to Ophelia, a potential botanist; this gives her scene with the King and Queen a new layer.
I wasn’t sure if the time period change (1920s) added much. Mostly, this is character-based.
Good read.
The first part puts Laertes in his college-guy context w two friends. Laertes remembers childhood experiences w Hamlet, the good-with-words prince who always had to be right.
One satisfying embroidery is the insight to Ophelia, a potential botanist; this gives her scene with the King and Queen a new layer.
I wasn’t sure if the time period change (1920s) added much. Mostly, this is character-based.
Good read.
atp i think i’ll pick up and enjoy a retelling of anything like yes shift it to that side characters perspective!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced