In this witty and wise reimagining of Hamlet--laced with quotes, references, bed tricks, and a bisexual love-triangle inspired by Shakespeare's own...
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Feb 13, 2010
Stephanie
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A Divinity scholar at Wittenberg University, Horatio prides himself on his ability to argue both sides of any intellectual debate but is himself a skeptic, never fully believing in any philosophy. That is, until he meets the outrageous, provocative, and flamboyantly beautiful Prince of Denmark, who teaches him more about both Earth and Heaven than any of his books. But Hamlet is also irrationally haunted by intimations of a tragic destiny he believes is preordained.
When a freelance t More...
When a freelance t More...
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Apr 15, 2010
Meg
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Myrlin A. Hermes’ The Lunatic, The Lover, And The Poet is a novel twist on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and his many sonnets, written on Shakespeare’s mysterious “Dark Lady” and an androgynous young man. With deft prose and a wildly entertaining storyline, Hermes definitely manages to take much of what I knew about the Bard and turn it “topsy-turvy,” just as the cover boasts.
I’ve read reviews stating at least a working knowledge of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is required to enjoy the novel. More...
I’ve read reviews stating at least a working knowledge of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is required to enjoy the novel. More...
Jun 02, 2011
Katie
rated it: 
Hamlet is probably one of my all-time favorite Shakespeare plays, so I knew I had to pick this one up, and I'm super glad I did. Myrlin Hermes weaves a world for Hamlet and Horatio outside of the Denmark court, before the death of King Hamlet and all the insanity that followed. The writing style was definitely the first thing that drew me in about this book. I was amazed at the beauty of prose. It's definitely at a level that the Bard would have been proud of. The book begins with Horatio accept
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Apr 10, 2011
Lambda Literary
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LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST
First off, a confession: although I love Shakespeare and consider myself an avid Shakespearean scholar and reader, Hamlet has always been one of my least favorite Shakespeare plays. After all, it lacks the lusty bloodletting of Macbeth, the utterly tragic pathos of King Lear, or the gender bending sexual dissidence of comedies such as As You Like It and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For me, Hamlet, despite its numerous psychoanalytic contortions and oft-rep More...
First off, a confession: although I love Shakespeare and consider myself an avid Shakespearean scholar and reader, Hamlet has always been one of my least favorite Shakespeare plays. After all, it lacks the lusty bloodletting of Macbeth, the utterly tragic pathos of King Lear, or the gender bending sexual dissidence of comedies such as As You Like It and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For me, Hamlet, despite its numerous psychoanalytic contortions and oft-rep More...
Mar 30, 2010
This is hysterically funny, with one caveat: You MUST know Hamlet to understand this book. Without that foreknowledge the story will make no sense whatsoever. It helps to also have read or seen Much Ado about Nothing to fully appreciate the book. Without knowing those plays, or only knowing the first, it would still be a very entertaining read, but not nearly on the caliber it will be for those who've read both.
There are also references to a whole bunch of other plays dropped through the bo More...
There are also references to a whole bunch of other plays dropped through the bo More...
Dec 16, 2010
Anna
rated it: 
I got this as a pre-pub at ALA in June. I was grabbing up any book I could find (because they were free!!!), so it's not like I chose this because it stood out.
It's a debut novel, so I wasn't expecting it to be that great, especially after reading the author's biography. Maudlin doesn't even begin to describe it.
It's essentially a retelling of Hamlet, but it spans the last few years he spent in academia before his father's death. It covers how Hamlet met Horatio, the main c More...
It's a debut novel, so I wasn't expecting it to be that great, especially after reading the author's biography. Maudlin doesn't even begin to describe it.
It's essentially a retelling of Hamlet, but it spans the last few years he spent in academia before his father's death. It covers how Hamlet met Horatio, the main c More...
Dec 26, 2010
Lu
rated it: 
I did not love the alternative perspective that seemed randomly placed within the novel. In terms of a writing technique, it was only useful for one scene. Though I have read Hamlet, which is the most important play you have to have read for this book to be funny, I am less knowledgeable about some of Shakespeare’s other plays and I wonder if that would have made a difference. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed Hermes’s wit and her writing style. I would absolutely be interested in reading her pr
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Sep 13, 2010
Trisha
rated it:
Horatio's ability to think deeply and logically is only challenged by his encounter and subsequent relationship with Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, who is "an outrageous, provocative, and flamboyantly beautiful young man". Their tragically flawed relationship soars and suffers under the manipulations of Horatio's patroness Lady Adriane. Soon, Horatio finds himself rivaled by another poet who seems to have earned the admiration of both Hamlet and Lady Adriane.
I adored thi More...
I adored thi More...
Jan 01, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Maybe this book wasn't "amazing" but it definitely deserves a five-star rating. Why? Because it's clever and fun, in addition to being unique, something all too rare these days.
Horatio is a perpetual student in Wittenberg, the son of a whore/witch and an unknown father, so there's no money and he lives a rather restricted life. Raised by Catholic monks, he's asked to convert (Luther being the in thing there). Essentially, he's studying divinity and had developed many More...
Horatio is a perpetual student in Wittenberg, the son of a whore/witch and an unknown father, so there's no money and he lives a rather restricted life. Raised by Catholic monks, he's asked to convert (Luther being the in thing there). Essentially, he's studying divinity and had developed many More...
Mar 25, 2011
Ryan
rated it:
After my last foray into historical fiction, I was a little hesitant to get started on this one. What if I was disappointed in this one as well? Would I be willing to try another historical fiction book if this one was a failure? I had first read a review of this book at Misfit Salon, and since then I've been dying to read it. Needless to say, once I got over my fear and started to read it, I loved it. It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
Myrlin A. Hermes has a way with More...
Myrlin A. Hermes has a way with More...
Oct 08, 2010
Aredhel
rated it:
Loved it as much as I hoped I would!
Usually I'm a little bit suspicious of speculative fiction, especially when it deals with such well-known historical figure, as William Shakespeare and when the main characters of the book in question are famous Shakespearian characters.
An author should have lots of courage to create such a thing. And not only courage, because to write such a book without it being too extravagant and second-rate, an author should have a great deal of talent. More...
Usually I'm a little bit suspicious of speculative fiction, especially when it deals with such well-known historical figure, as William Shakespeare and when the main characters of the book in question are famous Shakespearian characters.
An author should have lots of courage to create such a thing. And not only courage, because to write such a book without it being too extravagant and second-rate, an author should have a great deal of talent. More...
Jun 21, 2010
Clare
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While Hamlet is too perfect for too long in the eyes of Horatio, this prequel to Hamlet is filled with clever references, witty wordplay, and the marvelous Lady Adriane, carefully manipulating Horatio and his love for both Hamlet and herself. If this seems remotely up your alley, give The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet a try. It won’t disappoint.
May 14, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
LOVED this book. LOVED LOVED it.
Hamlet/Horatio/Original Female Character (based on "my mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun") love triangle. Wonderful Shakespeare references throughout, many familiar quotes used in a different context, and a great look at how differently things could have gone for Hamlet!
Hamlet/Horatio/Original Female Character (based on "my mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun") love triangle. Wonderful Shakespeare references throughout, many familiar quotes used in a different context, and a great look at how differently things could have gone for Hamlet!
Mar 29, 2010
Staci
rated it: 
My Thoughts: I started out reading this book with very high hopes. Not really being much of a scholar on Shakespeare, I still felt that I could enjoy this novel. Unfortunately for me that just wasn't the case. I just didn't get the story....but I did find myself liking Horatio. The others not so much. This may be a book for those that have read Shakespeare and loved it.
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Mar 04, 2010
Erin
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fun little shakespearean romp! Unexpectedly steamy. This was a perfect stormy afternoon read, and it made me feel smart since I got a lot of the nerdy shakespeare references, but also kept me from feeling too much like a nerd because there were an adequate number of hot gay blowjob scenes.
May 09, 2010
Sandy Lu
rated it:
What a quirky, original, and clever tale that turns Hamlet upside down and pays tribute to Shakespearean madcap comedies. The writing is so beautiful at times it is almost poetic. The Bard would have been amused and proud.
Sep 10, 2010
Nicole
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I picked this up randomly at the library one day. Anything about Shakespeare, even fiction, I find interesting.
This is a great reimagining of Hamlet and speculative background of Shakespeare. I absolutely enjoyed this book.
This is a great reimagining of Hamlet and speculative background of Shakespeare. I absolutely enjoyed this book.
Aug 03, 2011
Drianne
rated it:
Hamlet fanfic, where Horatio is Shakespeare. Both m/m and m/f content (Horatio/Hamlet, Horatio/"Dark Lady"). A little pretentious, but not bad.
Nov 23, 2010
Laurel
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I really enjoed this work. It took me a couple of tries to get into it, but once I passed that barrier, I wondered how that happened. I loved her language and her confidence of her characters and time period. And wow, Hermes can write a sex scene!
Oct 28, 2010
Teresa
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To read or not to read? Definitely, read! I had a little trouble getting into in in the beginning but once I was in, I was sucked under and rolled. Nice period fiction with a compelling story.
May 16, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Fun novel with a lot sparkle as it takes on William Shakespeare and the writing of Hamlet! To say nothing of sorting out the Dark Lady and the Beautiful Young Man in the Sonnets, and it all ends well.
Jul 24, 2010
Allan
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Finally got around to reading my old friend's second book. I'm very impressed.
Jul 01, 2011
Wendy
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I started this awhile ago and put it down for more pressing books. I'm glad I finished it; the premise was so clever. Pulling on Hamlet, Shakespeare's sonnets, great lines from his other plays and some clever word play, Hermes tells an interesting story, albeit, one that was a bit long for me.
Mar 07, 2010
Marlene
rated it:
I read Myrlin's guest blog over at Nathan Bransford's place. I loved her trailer (which the subject of the blog), and I bought the book! Should be interesting.
Nov 23, 2010
Prue
rated it:
Very quirky take on Hamlet and Shakespeare. Not for those who want a light read. Borderline literary. Recommended.
Mar 09, 2010
Beth
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Loved this book. It is a wonderfully retelling of Hamlet with some of the sonnets thrown in. Told from Horatio's point of view it is a love story with some twists. Really recommend it for Shakespeare lovers & for those who follow James Marsters.
Feb 20, 2012
