July 5, 2011
Poppy
Synopsis:
Meet Ophelia: a blonde, beautiful high-school senior and long-time girlfriend of Prince Hamlet of Denmark. Her life is dominated not only by her boyfriend's fame and his overbearing family, but also by the paparazzi who hound them wherever they go. As the devastatingly handsome Hamlet spirals into madness after the mysterious death of his father, the King, Ophelia rides out his crazy roller coaster life, and lives to tell about it. In live television interviews, of course.
Passion, romance, drama, humor, and tragedy intertwine in this compulsively readable debut novel, told by a strong-willed, modern-day Ophelia.
My Review:
Even though I haven't read Hamlet, the concept of this book intrigued me enough to get me to try it. I don't think that you have to read Hamlet to enjoy the story, but it probably would make more sense if you have read it before. After finishing Falling For Hamlet, I really wasn't sure what I thought of the story. It was a bit confusing at times, and I really hated the way Hamlet treated Ophelia, but I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to find out what happened next, and what the outcome of Hamlet's madness would be.
I went back and forth with Ophelia. During the times when she is telling her story, I really didn't like the person she was. She was easily manipulated by Hamlet, and I hated that she stuck with him even with the things he did to her. She was basically his plaything. She loses so many friends, pushes away her family, and makes her whole world revolve around Hamlet. I couldn't respect her for that.
However, I loved her attitude during the interrogation sections. She didn't let the officers push her, and it was interesting to see what she thought about some of the things she did. She has some hilarious moments! I also liked who she was during the talk show scenes. She barely gives anything away, but you can see that she is has many regrets.
I really don't like Hamlet at all. He is a playboy and doesn't respect anyone around him. I did feel bad for him when his father died. His father seemed like a great person, and I really felt for him. Hamlet's attitude gets much worse after his father is buried. He goes completely insane! He turns into a really mean person who doesn't care about anyone's feelings, even his beloved Ophelia's. I am really interested in reading the original Hamlet now to see what he is like in the play.
While I did enjoy reading Falling For Hamlet, I had problems with the characters. Maybe I would have understood them better if I had read Hamlet before, but I really don't know. I really don't think you should have to read Hamlet before reading this one.
My Rating:
While I loved Shakespeare's Hamlet, I don't think this is for me. The characters seem too difficult to connect to. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wasn't able to get into this book either. Glad to know it wasn't just me! :p Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Hamlet in high school but I honestly can't recall much about it other than there was of course the drama and the betrayal so common in Shakespeare's works. Sounds like this updated version is a bit difficult to get into so I think maybe it's not for me. Fabulous review though Bailey!
ReplyDeleteWell, I do remember Hamlet having taken two Shakespeare classes in college and Hamlet actually was an ass (to me) in the play. At least he didn't think about Ophelia at all. That's why she ended up killing herself. Her Hamlet had disappeared and been replaced by this shell of a man. And she really had no identity without him, like most women back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for this version though I do have this book somewhere buried in paper or a box. It came after we moved in but I can't find where I put it. (no not the bookshelf which would be logical of course.) So when I find it, if I find it, I'll read it and let you know if it would have made any difference if you'd read Hamlet. But now, reading it is not high on my priority list!
I recently read a review somewhere that said it wasn't necessary to read Hamlet but that there was a lot of thing you would miss (humor and side jokes and puns) if you hadn't read Hamlet before.
ReplyDeleteThis was from a person who had read Hamlet. They seemed to enjoy it a little more than you, but they still didn't love it, so I don't think I will be running out to get it anytime soon! LOL Thanks for a great review sweets!