Prince of Sorrows

by D.K. Marley

For fans of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski and The Dead Father’s Club by Matt Haig (both based on Shakespeare's Hamlet), enjoy this fractured historical adaptation in modern English of the story of Amleth (Hamlet), the son of King Orwendel and Queen Gerutha of Jutland, spurred to revenge his father's death who died at the hands of his uncle Feng, while soothing his wounded soul in the arms of the angelic Lady Pernillia (Ophelia). While following the story of Shakespeare's play, Marley's tale develops the characters and storyline, taking you into the depths of hearts and minds, as well as adding unexpected twists and turns amid court life in 9th century Denmark.

308 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2018

About the author

D. K. Marley is the CEO of The Historical Fiction Company, Historical Times Magazine, the Hist Fic Chickie Blog & History Bards podcast. Historical Fiction author specializing in Shakespearean adaptations, Tudor era historicals, Colonial American historicals, alternate historicals, and historical time-travel.

Reviews

[Rachel Knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this idea of reimagining Shakespeare's plays in a more accessible format, with the scope given by the novel form as opposed to the play. As Shakespeare’s plays were written and intended for performance, the transformation to the novel form, makes this famous play more accessible and readable. In addition the updating of the language will help many readers. DK Marley has found a middle ground between Shakespearian language and modern language, making this work accessible to modern audiences without losing the sense of history and its origins, this is not easy to do, so I was pleased she managed it so well.

The descriptive narrative here created a strong sense of place and atmosphere. I felt Amleth’s (Hamlet) psychological torment keenly. I became emotionally involved with the main characters, despite knowing their inevitable fates, particularly with Amleth and Pernillia. It was great too to see that all of the incredible wisdom of the original play was conveyed.
Recommended audience: Young adult and Adult. This may help those studying Shakespeare to engage with the play.

Sample quote: ‘Amleth traversed the dark secret passageways, winding down stone stairs that seemed to disappear into the belly of the castle, until, at last, he opened an iron door that moaned a rusty cry upon his touch. He gazed upward though the fog. The stars across the night sky twinkled dimly through the grayish net of the mist. He wrapped his cloak about his shoulders and kept near to the outer wall, pausing ever so often to reach out in the darkness in search of the door to the keep…’

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In D.K. Marley's 'Prince of Shadows' we get to experience an example of Shakespeare's play Hamlet adapted and reimagined in to a novel where we're taken to 9th Century Northern Denmark to meet our protagonist Amleth, and the people in his life, for good or bad. The story follows Amleth's trials, tribulations and most importantly his tragedies and how he responds to them as he deals with the murder of his father and the quest of revenge put upon his shoulders by the ghost of his father, the King. Though there are certainly tragedies in this story there are also lovely scenes of young love, and friendship. Wonderful moments of tenderness are made even more poignant by the eventual outcome. One of my favourite lines, evoking emotions and a sense of peace is "she felt suddenly lighter, her cheek against the cool pillow and closed her eyes, she dreamed Orwendel knelt near and placed a kiss on her forehead as he spoke three words in her ear... I forgive you."
A great read recommended for fans of Shakespeare's stories bit with a twist.

[Malve Hassell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly executed creative retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet

If you love Shakespeare or have struggled with his plays or both, this is the book for you. Told from the perspective of Amleth, Prince of Denmark, it is a brilliant recreation of Shakespeare’s sad tale of love and lust gone wrong, betrayal, deceit, and manipulation. Indeed, the author manages to create something new and vivid even while staying true to the tone of Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. It certainly does not make me like the character of Hamlet any better than before nor those of his mother, his uncle, his purported friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the king’s counselor, or his daughter—each of them profoundly flawed human beings and all paralyzed in different ways. But it helps me to understand them better and to be once again overwhelmed by the heartrending tragedy. It is beautifully written and perfectly executed, with unforgettable images from maggot-boiling mutton to the final poison-laced bloody scene. Highly recommended.

[Jessica Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marley has beautifully reworked the play to add depth and detail to both the setting and the characters. She infused historical authenticity into the play with her descriptions of clothing and place and by changing some of the character names to traditional Danish ones.

I really enjoyed this novel and was drawn into the way the author merged the old language and the new while retaining the cadence of Shakespeare.

Read my full review @ jessicastefani.com.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good idea to reinterpret Shakespeare's Hamlet into more modern day language. And not written as a play, but as prose which makes the story easier to follow.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of this type, if the author is willing to reinterpret more of Shakespeare?!

[Jennifer Macaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a lot of favorite first sentences from books, but this time I have a favorite last sentence. "My Lord, the tale begins with a ghost..." To get to it, you have to read The Prince of Sorrows, a gorgeous retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Hamlet - or Amleth, as he is called in this book, is, as everyone knows, a Danish prince bent on vengeance. This book is a mirror of the play, with a few original twists, with the same characters (though different names to fit 9th century Denmark), and the same storyline. But the play couldn't go into as much detail as this book, and it was with delight that I rediscovered 'Hamlet'. Vengeance leads to madness - or does madness stem from grief? Prince Amleth knows his father has been murdered by his uncle, whom he hates, because the ghost of his father has come to him and told him so. He also ordered Amleth to seek revenge. But Amleth procrastinates, and in doing so, invites tragedy. And tragic it is - but don't let that stop you from reading this book. 'Hamlet' never looked so good. A must read for anyone who loves Hamlet, or simply wants a cracking good tale told in glorious prose. Highly recommended!