Ophelia by Lisa Klein: A Book Review

Ophelia
Author: Lisa Klein
Genre: YA, Historical fiction, Suspense,
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Release Date: 2006
Pages: 336
Source: Personal Collection
Synopsis: He is Hamlet, Prince of Denmark; she is simply Ophelia. If you think you know their story, think again.

In this reimagining of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, it is Ophelia who takes center stage and finally gets her due. Ambitious for knowledge and witty as well as beautiful, Ophelia catches the attention of the captivating, dark-haired Prince Hamlet, and their love blossoms in secret. But bloody deeds soon turn Denmark into a place of madness, and Ophelia will be forced to choose between her love for Hamlet and her own life. In desperation, Ophelia devises a treacherous plan to escape from Elsinore forever . . . with one very dangerous secret.

My Review: Shakespeare has always been one of my favorite playwrights. I like to read his plays during my spare time. One of his best known plays is Hamlet because what seems like a benevolent king is actually hiding dark secrets. The one who knows his true nature is his step-son/nephew, who the court believes is mad but actually is not. Hamlet is a dark tale about murder, despotism, power, ambition, and tyranny. In Ophelia, it is a faithful retelling of Hamlet from Ophelia’s point of view. We think we know the story of Ophelia’s tragic fate, but it is only part of her story.

The tale begins before there is something rotten in Denmark. The court is happy. Hamlet’s father is alive and happy with a beautiful queen at his side. Ophelia becomes a lady-in-waiting to Queen Gertrude and finds a slow-budding romance with Hamlet. However, her blissful romance falls apart when Hamlet's father is killed, and his uncle becomes king and marries the queen. When Ophelia eventually unravels the darkness and the treachery that surrounds the court, she begins to question her sanity.

Ophelia is a strong and likable heroine. She is intelligent, loyal, and highly observant. She examines people’s nature and motives. She is the perfect narrator to maneuver her way through the labyrinth of deceptions, lies, and flattery at court in order to see the truth and the danger that hangs over the court and those she loves. She is also a match for Hamlet, for both of them like philosophy and have a thirst for knowledge and truth. She also has a great friendship with Horatio for they both love and care for Hamlet. Horatio protects Ophelia in a brotherly fashion and cares for her.

Overall, this is a faithful lovely retelling of Shakespeare's play. The third part of the story is slow when Ophelia no longer plays an active part in Denmark’s court. I recommend this novel to anyone who is a Shakespeare fan and likes reading his plays. I also found that this book is a great introduction for people who are reading Hamlet for the first time. For people who are studying Shakespeare and are planning on reading Cliffsnotes instead of reading the play, I advise you to read this book instead of Cliffsnotes. This book helps readers understand the plot of the story, and it is a much more fun and pleasurable read than the boring summaries of the Cliffsnotes version. Ophelia will help you let Shakespeare’s Hamlet into your hearts, and you will want to re-read Hamlet again and see the play in a different light.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki: A Book Review

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post Author: Allison Pataki Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Ballantine Release Date: February 15, 2022 Pages: 381 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . . So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar’s treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood’s biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweath

Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem by Dave Tamanini: A Book Review

Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem Author: Dave Tamanini Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: David F Tamanini Release Date: 2020 Pages: 317 Source: Publisher/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: If you love historical fiction... come revisit Salem's terror in this provocative new telling of enslaved Tituba, no longer a caricature, but a fully human woman with magical powers. Come! Let Tituba cast its spell with a unique and tantalizing tale that explores the wild emotions driving accusations of witchcraft in 1692. A Promise and a Hope Enslaved Tituba has been faithful to a promise to her dying mama in Africa. She has appeased the masters from Barbados to Boston to Salem and waited for her magic. A Mother’s Agony When Tituba’s only son dies trying to escape slavery, her life changes forever. After enduring the crush only a mother can feel, she rages and turns to vengeance. Witches Tear into Salem The villagers see wi

Interview with Tessa Afshar

It was my honor to do an interview with Tessa Afshar! Ms. Afshar is one of the top-selling Christian fiction authors in the genre. Her books have won numerous awards in the field and her books show the love she has for the roots of Christianity. I asked Ms. Afshar about her latest work, Daughter of Rome . The novel focuses on Priscilla and Aquila, who had once brought Paul into their home for 18 months. I appreciate Ms. Afshar taking the time for my interview, and I hope you enjoy looking into the latest work by Tessa Afshar, Daughter of Rome ! What attracted you to the story of Aquila and Priscilla? Although we know little about this extraordinary couple, what we do know is spellbinding: they saved Paul’s life, set up house churches in different cities in the Roman Empire, shared the gospel with many Gentiles, and became influential spiritual leaders through some of the most harrowing years of the church’s history. Their marriage must have been remarkable! Ther

History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

Search This Blog