Number two in my reading-Hamlet-adaptations is Ann Leckie’s The Raven Tower, a stand-alone and her first fantasy (as opposed to sci-fi) book (from 2019). She’s a Hugo-Nebula-Arthur C. Clarke-BSFA award winner. The Raven Tower is not one I hear mentioned frequently (or ever), and as I said, I started reading it because it was listed…
Ryan North’s To Be or Not to Be is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is also a CYOA (choose your own adventure) book, but not the trademarked version of that. North’s publishers call it a “Chooseable-Path Adventure.” It is not North’s first Chooseable-Path Adventure adaptation. It is my second read of a Hamlet…
Apparently, one of the book clubs I am a part of reads Shakespeare in August—like for the past 17 years. It’s not the club I would have expected it of, exactly, but I was excited. I am a Shakespeare fan and have been since high school. Another thing: they bring in this Renaissance Literature expert/professor…
I have seen five movies in the past couple months which are related to books in one way or another. Since the Oscars are creeping up on us and two of the movies have Oscar noms, I thought I should go ahead and put my two cents out there for you. The first—and arguably most…
A book club read, Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is another great read of 2024, for me. I’m even going to call it a favorite. It has little things (and one big thing) wrong with it, but overall, it is an amazing book that deserves book club reads and awards and whatnot. It helps that I…
When I was in high school (maybe on my way to college) I received one of those memorable gifts. I have received many memorable gifts. (Gifts is one of my love languages after all (along with service and then, I suppose, quality time.) For me, a memorable gift is often more than you expected and…
No, not the Kenneth Branaugh version from 1993, although we will talk about that in a bit, but the 2012 Jos Whedon version. And yes, you did read that right. Now, how did this happen? How did I end up watching this film? NO idea. It showed up at my door from Netflix and I…
“Hamlet,” or “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” William Shakespeare, app. 1600. Read, not the version shown here, but from my leather-bound William Shakespeare: The Complete Works, published by Gramercy Books in 1975. Bonus reviews of four Hamlet movies and Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. William Shakespeare (assuming that was his name…
Another holiday, another list of holiday recommendations. So, we’re going to start with the movies, ’cause apparently I have quite a few romantic comedies in my cherished DVD collection. In no particular order, and with no real weeding: Once (2006). One of my all-time faves, but sort of anti-romantic, as far as that goes. Can…
the starving artist 