Falling for Hamlet

Author: Michelle Ray
Release Date: July 5, 2001
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 348
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Publisher for Honest Review
Interest: Cover
Other Titles in Series: NA

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.

I am going to admit that I have never read Hamlet..I know what's wrong with me?! I love Shakespeare, but I can only read so much of his work at a time.  With that said I really didn't know what to expect. I knew the basic plot of Hamlet, but other then that I was clueless.

I love retellings! Having it placed in a more modern setting seems to grab more of my attention. I was really looking forward to Falling for Hamlet. 

The characters are really well developed. Ophelia really stood out. I could connect to her. She going through high school, having boyfriend issues, father issues, and friends that are begging for her attention. She has a lot of pressure to deal with. Living with the royal family has taken its toll on her. She has to please everyone all the time, and it is driving her crazy! I really felt sorry for her. I mean she's just a teenager, and everyone is depending on her. 

Hamlet was really an interesting character. You love him, then hate him. You'll have to read the book to learn more about his unique character.

The only problem I had with the whole novel was toward the end its all of a sudden bam bam! It was so much action all at once. Which does add drama, and thats what Shakespeare is all about. I kind of felt overwhelmed. It does get better! 

The ending was flawless! It was short and funny. Best of all the ending was complete closure! ou really do get to know what happened to everyone. 

I loved the way it was written! Your having Phee being interviewed by a talk show host in italics, Phee interviewed by official figures, and Phee telling her story in regular font. It was really cool to read the interview then see what actually happened.

Who doesn't love this cover!  It is really beautiful. The couple, and then the big bright red thrown chair. Perfect! 

Michelle has some talent! For her debut I thought it was pretty good! The death scene's are executed in a fantastic manor! Michelle does a great job putting them into modern terms. She can really develop her characters and give them voice. I look forward to more from her!

Plot:14/20

Characters: 18/20

Creativity: 16/20

Writing: 17/20

Cover: 8/10

Ending: 9/10

Total: 82/100