Monday, August 6, 2012

**REVIEW & Giveaway** Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray

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.

  Telling you that I remember everything from Shakespeare's Hamlet would be flat out ridiculous.  Not that people don't remember but me in general.  Looking back I remember enjoying it and all the madness that was brought forth with the death of one man.  So upon reading the title and the little  teaser at the top I couldn't resist wanting to give this one a go.  Also who could pass up anything that has been modernized of Shakespeare's work?


  This is a fun and unique take on Hamlet.  I love that it was told from Ophelia's point of view!!  It brought something new to the table for me and honestly I have always loved stories that are retold from a different characters point of view.  Gives the story a little more depth you know what I mean?  I no longer felt on the outside looking in but like I was there watching it all unfold and break apart.  The madness and happenings take on an entirely new meaning.  You get a glimpse into just how much Ophelia loved Hamlet and just how far she would really go for love. 
"We're not making a mistake.  Don't you see we are meant for each other?
How can this bring us anything but happiness?" - Hamlet to Ophelia
  Due to this being an updated take on Hamlet you also get to see more about the relationship Ophelia and Hamlet shared.  You see all the things Hamlet wanted for Ophelia and all the ways he broke her heart before their final downfall.  There is actually quite a bit of romance and love between the two but it comes off clearly as a love/hate relationship most of the time.  Hamlet is portrayed perfectly and despite all of his madness and downfalls I think this book made me love him more.  He is actually more real to me than ever and I think I may have the same relationship as Ophelia does with him.


  Ophelia is a much stronger and intelligent character in this version of the novel as well.  She has a weak spot for Hamlet but she sees what is happening.  In the description it tells how she rides everything out but it really wasn't that simple for her.  She is constantly torn between her love for Hamlet, her family and her friends.  No matter how she tries to balance it, it wont work for her.  Even when Hamlets madness slowly starts seeping into her life she can't help but hold on to him and pretend it is all going to work out.  That's what you do when you love someone with all you have right?  This however costs her everything, including the life she once knew.


"I have put everything aside to be with you.  Everything.  My friends.  My Family.
My ambition.  Don't make a face.  I used to have it.  But the last few months, I
let everything else slide.  You want to know what I want?  Well, so do I! But I can't
see past this little world we have when we're together.  I can't see a future that doesn't
include you." -Ophelia to Hamlet
  The one thing that got to me from time to time was how the DDI(Denmark Department of Investigations) treated  Ophelia.  It made sense for her to be a suspect.  I mean she was one of the few survivors in this entire mess but it was like she was slow when speaking to them.  A lot of good humour came from Ophelia in these pieces of interviews/interrogations spread out throughout the book but I found the detectives to be just flat out offensive when it came to Ophelia.  On the other hand while she is on the Zara show she gets quite a bit of sympathy and it feels more like a place where she can just get it out.  In hindsight I guess the two balance out feelings and show you who Ophelia is and that she is a stronger person than you ever thought.


  Who would I recommend this to?  Everyone!  Lovers of Hamlet and people that have never read it alike are sure to love Michelle Ray's new take on the classic.  She nails all of the important parts and adds things that you never even thought mossing until you got it from Ophelia's point of view.  Yes the difference is that she lives in this tale and not in Shakespeare's but there is a totally logical explanation for that happening. I really loved how different this novel was yet you still know that you are reading Hamlet.  You can't shake the madness! 


GIVEAWAY

I would like to give one reader the chance to read this awesome book!
The only thing that I ask is the because it is an ARC that you post 
a review when you are done reading.  It isn't a must but it would be nice :D

I am doing this as an INTERNATIONAL for EVERYONE as long as you can
receive mail :)
GOOD LUCK!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

26 comments:

  1. Tiffany, sweetie, what an outstanding, glowing review! :) I, too, can't say that I remember eveything about the books Shakespear wrote - I don't, and I won't even pretend I do. The only story that I know inside and out would be Romeo and Juliet, and even with that some of the details are blurry.. Well, that calls for some re-reading, right? :) Meanwhile, I would love to read Falling For Hamlet! I heard amazing things about it and your fantastic review only got me more excited. I love when we get to learn more details about a story that is already quite familiar - love the "other-person" perspective! I'm definitely very excited for this one, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and for hosting this awesome giveaway! <3

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  2. what great raving review
    i do love a cute read
    gr8 review and thank you for the awesome giveaway

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  3. I haven't looked much into this book, but your review made me add it to my wishlist! It sounds exactly like something I'd love. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  4. I haven't heard much about this book other than lots of people were excited for it when it was being released. It sounds like a cute read though!

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  5. That sounds like a very interesting and fun remake of Hamlet. I had loved reading the original Hamlet and would love to read this one, too!That was a very intriguing review. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  6. I haven't heard too much about this but it sounds really interesting and it's definitely something I would read. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. I've been seeing this book around, and I have to say I'm really curious about this updated version of Hamlet. A modern day Ophelia? Yes, please :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. Would be interesting to see how the author approached a remake of Hamlet! I've always been a fan of Shakespeare's comedies, but his tragedies used to frustrate me no end, I'd like to see how this one compares :-) Thanks for the giveaway.

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  9. I haven't heard of this book before... A modern retake of Hamlet? I think yes! This sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. This seems like an interesting take on the story. I'm curious. :)

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  11. From Shakespeare I have only read Romeo & Juliet but I quiet enjoy the movies adaptation a bit more, but I like to read retelling stories about this types of classics, but I would LOVE to read this one. I'm intrigue about it. Thanks for the chance!
    (Ileana-Rafflecopter)

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  12. Whoa, I never thought this book would be so good! It's been on my to-read shelf for a long time now and I added it on a whim.

    Great review and thanks for the giveaway! =D

    Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

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  13. I'm excited for this book! If it has anything to do with Hamlet I'm so down, I mean I have a quote from Hamlet tattooed on my leg! I LOVE Hamlet AND I love Shakespeare. :)

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  14. I did not read Hamlet in school. I am ashamed to say, I cliff noted my way through pretending I read it. But "this" I will read!

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  15. Oh, how I love that quote from her to him that you featured. This sounds like a fun read.

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  16. I love modern retellings of Shakespeare! Can't wait to read this one!

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  17. I love the cover and I'm addicted to retellings since I read 'Beastly'!

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  18. The cover looks amazing and man that summary, I just what to get my hands on this book :)

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  19. Oh wow it sounds awesome! :) And im loving the cover.

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  20. You wrote a great review! I must admit, Hamlet wasn't one of my favorite of Shakespeare's plays when I was in high school, but this book sounds really interesting. I like the modernization of the play. :)

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  21. great review. i have been wanted to read this book for a while now. cant wait to get my hands on it

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  22. It's the first time I hear about this book, and it sounds like a great story! I'd love to get to read it and meet all the characters.

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  23. I love books that taking a story you know and change it a little bit so you don't know what will happen next

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  24. Hi Tiff, I have not heard about this book before, thank you for a great review. Hamlet was my favorite play that Shakespeare wrote. I love reading stories based on previous plays written throughout history. Thank you for this generous giveaway.

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