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A review by caitlin_marsss
Laertes by Carly Stevens
4.0
Perfect read for a day curled up in a reading nook on a rainy day.
Carly Stevens took Hamlet, an already amazing story written by an equally amazing Shakespeare, and turned it into her own, and I immensely loved it. Setting the retelling in 1920's Europe with such colorful characters and a dark academia vibe was the greatest decision- a semi-modern take that could attract new readers who usually steer away from Shakespeare.
Laertes was my favorite character since I loved his loyalty to his family as he maneuvers through grief and trauma. This young man went through so much trauma (but it is Hamlet after all), and his dive into revenge was such a thrilling ride. I did get emotional as I drew closer to the ending since I did get a bit attached to Laertes, but his death, along with Hamlet's, was also tragically satisfying.
I sincerely recommend this beautifully tragic story, even to anyone unfamiliar with Shakespeare's Hamlet. I did listen to the audiobook included in Spotify Premium narrated by Jake Ruddle, and his rendition was immaculate and made me feel immersed in the story.
Carly Stevens took Hamlet, an already amazing story written by an equally amazing Shakespeare, and turned it into her own, and I immensely loved it. Setting the retelling in 1920's Europe with such colorful characters and a dark academia vibe was the greatest decision- a semi-modern take that could attract new readers who usually steer away from Shakespeare.
Laertes was my favorite character since I loved his loyalty to his family as he maneuvers through grief and trauma. This young man went through so much trauma (but it is Hamlet after all), and his dive into revenge was such a thrilling ride. I did get emotional as I drew closer to the ending since I did get a bit attached to Laertes, but his death, along with Hamlet's, was also tragically satisfying.
I sincerely recommend this beautifully tragic story, even to anyone unfamiliar with Shakespeare's Hamlet. I did listen to the audiobook included in Spotify Premium narrated by Jake Ruddle, and his rendition was immaculate and made me feel immersed in the story.