papas_lala's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
basementofbooks's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dkragick's review
3.0
Audio was better than the book for me. Fonts are fun. Until they're unreadable.
laurahopp's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kittykornerlibrarian's review
5.0
What would happen if you set the story of Hamlet in the 21st century? That's what happens in this dark, twisty, tragic tale set in Manhattan. The Danes (get it?) are a very wealthy family who run the World Theater, and Ben is the son who is in his early twenties. When Ben's father dies under what Ben believes are mysterious circumstances, he enlists his best friend Horatio to come in from London to help investigate. Ambition, addiction, substance abuse, control, and family drama are all explored in this retelling. It's a terrific piece of work, just like Hamlet himself.
rmwithavu's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
vintagecassette's review
2.0
I thought I’d be absolutely down for a queer retelling of Hamlet, but this book was something of a dumpster fire to me. Faye rewrites the ending in a way that is completely different from how Hamlet really concludes, and it just didn’t land the way she intended. Also, this book was marketed as a feminist retelling, but I’m not too sure what about (SPOILER:) Ophelia being an alcoholic who’s been dead for the entire novel struck Faye as a win for feminism.
joshualeggs's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0