Hamlet, A Novel

Description

Hamlet is bored and restless. His friend Horatio can't work him out - but who can? His father has just died, and his mother has already remarried. He seems damaged by the sudden changes in his life. Or maybe he was always a little damaged. Or maybe he wasn't. Then, on a still night, the ghost of Hamlet's father comes walking, his long silver hair blowing wildly...This wonderful book, by one of Australia's most loved and most read writers, takes Shakespeare's famous play and makes it into a moving and full-blooded novel. John Marsden follows the contours of the original but powerfully re-imagines its characters and story lines, rather as Shakespeare treated his sources. We are aware not only of the strength of Marsden's own writing but the sensitivity of his insight into Shakespeare. Hamlet, A Novel will be adored by adults whether young or old.

A flamboyant and controversial gay lawyer from an unfashionable suburb who worked his way into Sydney society, John Marsden has been memorably described by Phillip Adams as an 'Antipodean Oscar Wilde'.