Book/Play Review: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare
Title: Hamlet
Genre: Drama, Classic, Play
Pages: 42
First Published: 1603
Where I Got It: On my shelf (my big bad book of William Shakespeare

"A tragedy by William Shakespeare. Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering King Hamlet, Claudius's brother and Prince Hamlet's father, and then succeeding to the throne and taking as his wife Gertrude, the old king's widow and Prince Hamlet's mother. The play vividly portrays both true and feigned madness—from overwhelming grief to seething rage—and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption."

Well...I'm going to divide and conquer this review. ^.^

The Good

• Drama, drama, and more drama. Though I hate drama in real life, I LOVE Billy's world of drama
• Liked Young Hamlet, even though he wasn't the brightest bulb in the fixture at times.
• The madness was hilarious and tragic all at the same time
• Keep me on the edge of my seat! I wanted Claudis to get what was coming to him.
• It was complex and you all know how I love my complex stories
• It was a quick read, perhaps its just goes to me either getting use to Billy's use of language OR the fact I had to read this for class...perhaps both. 
• Loved the fact that the "villains" of the story were complex and not the A-typical baddie, even Claudis seems to be a little villain-isc though...
• Loved the idea of the ghost aspect. It really added darkness and something unique to this. Also, it was a nice twist and made you think. Could Hamlet be crazy? Or is this ghost thing legit?

The Bad and the Ugly

• The ending. 
• The fact that the Queen married her brother-in-law. That made me mad. Gah, stupid chit.
• I hated the fact that Hamlet was dumb and sensitive and easily distracted...Heck if I was Papa Hamlet I would have not asked Hamlet to do this task of revenge. Tsk. 

Conclusion

This was pretty good and I can see why this was one of the most famous of Billy Shakespeare's plays (behind 'Romeo & Juliet'). It was really good and entertaining. I really should watch it in action, be it a movie or a play. The characters were amazing and complex. I liked Young Hamlet, but he was a sensitive fool at times. I also loved the adding of the ghost made this special and unique. However, though this was really good I loathed the ending. Gah. Made me mad. >.> Anyways....I would recommend this for those that love the classics or are looking for a good play/book. I grant this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Young Hamlet (at times he annoyed me, though), the Ghost of Papa Hamlet, and Laetres. 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Young Hamlet (sensitive fool) and Queen Gertrude (*grumbles*) 

*CaroleRae*

Book Review: The Forever Queen

Author: Helen Hollick
Title: The Forever Queen (Saxon Series #1)
Genre: Drama, Action, Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
First Published: August 2004
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Amazon)

"Aged only thirteen, Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, is married in a strategic alliance to King Aethelred of England. Inept and arrogant, Aethelred is loathed by his young wife, whom he punishes for his many failings as a ruler. Their first son, Edward, is born through an act of violence that is little more than rape. England is invaded by the Viking King Swein Forkbeard and his son Cnut. After a bitter struggle, Aethelred loses his kingdom and his wife. Emma, now dowager queen, holds London against the invader Cnut. When he demands she surrender or suffer the consequences, Emma stakes everything on a dangerous gamble, but troubles and tragedy still await the indomitable queen as she struggles for power and for survival... "

My goodness! This too FOREVER for me to read...gah!!!! Not because it was a horrid book or anything, it was rather long, but that's no excuse either. I had so many other books and things on my plate that would arrive and I would have to put this book on the backburner and get those done. Especially when school came into the picture. I'm taking two classes that involve reading like a crazy person. Sighs.

Anyways....

This was a great book! I never heard of Queen Emma before and now I'm ashamed of this fact, because she certainly is the epitome of a strong woman. Her life was rather tragic at places, but through it all she arose and conquered all. She never lost her spirit even when her first husband, Aethelred, abused her and raped her many times, because he could. He was a crappy king and since she was weaker, physically, he could put all his frustrations on her. 

I'm so glad that Cnut came into the picture and conquered England. That's SO horrible to say, but England needed a strong force to dominate. So with Emma at his side, England could have the strength they needed to build a strong country. If the vikings never conquered, I bet England wouldn't be what they are today. The earls acted like children and the kings were weak-minded and didn't care for the peasants. So yes, I'm glad Cnut took the reigns. I also really hope that Emma and Cnut had a true love, because she really deserved to be loved. One can only assume, because true love back then didn't matter and it was never recorded. 

I have a couple issues with this book. One, there were SO many POVS! It was hard to follow sometimes on who was talking/thinking, that I would have to go back a little bit and re-read. Again, I would love to have some sort of mention on when the POV was changing. Second, I skimmed a wee bit. Some parts were just dragging so much, that I skimmed. 

Other then those two things I really adored this book. The story was fun and the plot was interesting. I really enjoyed how Helen Hollick could suck me into the story. I felt like I was there and that is really needed when you read a Historical Fiction. You need to feel like you are there. See the world, smell the world, taste the world (weird, but you know what I mean), and feel the world. Helen Hollick did a great job with this. I would recommend this to those that love Historical Fiction or just a good story. I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

 Favorite Character(s): Emma (of course), Pallig, Cnut (even though he was a snot at the beginning), and Thorkell
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Aethelred and Swein Forkbeard (meh)

Book/Play Review: Waiting for Godot

Author: Samuel Beckett
Title: Waiting for Godot
Genre: Play, Drama, Classic, Comedy
Pages: ebook
First Published: October 1949
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

"The story line revolves around two seemingly homeless men waiting for someone or something named Godot. Vladimir and Estragon wait near a tree on a barren stretch of road, inhabiting a drama spun from their own consciousness. The result is a comical wordplay of poetry, dreamscapes, and nonsense, which has been interpreted as a somber summation of mankind's inexhaustible search for meaning. Beckett's language pioneered an expressionistic minimalism that captured the existentialism of post-World War II Europe. His play remains one of the most magical and beautiful allegories of our time."

First off...I read this for my Contemporary Literature class.

I will start out with a quote about what Boyfriend asked me if I liked it and I responded:

"This play was a play about nothing. Nothing happened, but it was pure genius." I then went on to explain to him what happened and my opinion about what this play is about. Which brings me to the genius of this novel....it has NO set in stone meaning.

Beckett has written this so one can think of a million different meanings, but no one will ever know the TRUE meaning. The author did this on purpose.  Beckett is a torturer, but he is pure genius. I couldn't help but want to continue to read and watch the play. Yes, my professor also highly suggested watching a version or two of the play. I watched a couple and I was alright with it. EVEN though I know NOTHING really happens. *SPOILER ALERT* Like the two men I have hope Godot will appear and arrive, but he never does. I know this after going through this story three times, but I continue to hope he will come. *SPOILER ENDED*
After thinking and after listening to lectures...I've rounded up my own theory about the meaning behind it...BE WARNED! This is just mine and it's different then from the majority of opinions and its based off the deconstruction theory and Derrida's theory:

"According to Derrida anything can mean anything. Symbols (which represent everything on the Earth) have no real connection to the things it's connected to. 'If anything means anything, then anything means nothing.' How does this involve humanity? To Derrida and it can be seen in Beckett's story, human's existence means nothing. The things we do really mean nothing, we entertain ourselves until we die. The nothingness can be symbolized in 'Waiting for Godot'. The two guys are hobos and do nothing all day. They are entertaining themselves and waiting on Godot. Could Godot be 'God'? Could Godot be 'Death'? Or could Godot be a figment of their lack of insanity (which can be proved)? Godot could be something or someone. Godot could be anything...so could he also be nothing? I feel that the meaning of the story revolves around the true and utter nothingness of human life. We do things and just entertain ourselves until we die. There is no REAL meaning to our lives."

Alright...I'm done...but I did like this play, but I would recommend everyone jump on this and read this? No, but it is an interesting experience to behold and I good thing to maybe glance at one day. Or just watch a version of the play. It maybe a play about nothing...like my professor says, "A play where nothing happens twice", but it is pretty good. I shall stamp this with 4 stars.

Favorite Character(s): Vladimir and Estragon
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Pozzo 

Top Ten Tuesday: Turn-offs

~The Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.~

Wow...its been FOREVER since I've done one of these...but since I have nothing really to post today and I'm bored in class, I shall share my top ten list of the turn-offs of books that well...turn me off and I may toss the book a time or two...

(There is no order)

1. Animal cruelty.

As you all know I hate this in movies, but the same can be poked at in books. Makes me mad and want to cry.

2. Love Triangles that last too long.

I don't mind love a good love triangle, but when it lasts WAY too long I can't handle it. Especially when it runs into multiple books. GAH.

3. Forced Instant Love.

Yes, there are some instances that people fall in love on the spot, but I HATE it when it seems forced. 

4. Books with Movie Covers. 

Dammit. I love movies, but its so annoying and cheesy when they put the cover of the movie adaptations onto the book. NO! They are two different entities. 

5. The Parents always seem to be MIA.

Yes, some people have absent parents...but for the whole novel? Barely a peep out of the parents is so unrealistic.

6. Stereotypical Steampunk.

This is a personal preference...but I have a hard time like the A-typical steampunk novel. Nope...can't do it. I do like the game BioShock though...

7. Sex on Every Page.

I love my romances...I do. However, I want some plot thrown in there please. Thank you.

8. Perfect Characters.

You know of this hatred I have, so I will not ramble on this topic, because I will never stop...

9. Overwriting.

I am bad with this myself from time to time, but I edit my writings (unless it is a challenge and I can't), but overly describing things and going into WAY too many details is annoying and makes me sigh.

10. Ending To Long/Ending To Abrupt.

Okay, there is no explanation needed.

*CaroleRae*