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The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet

by Myrlin Hermes

The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet Cover

ISBN13: 9780061805196
ISBN10: 006180519x
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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 translation job turns into a full-scale theatrical production, Horatio arranges for the theater-loving prince to act in the play — disguised as the heroine This attracts the attention of Horatio′s patroness, the dark and manipulative Lady Adriana. A voracious and astute reader of both books and people, she performs her own seductions to test whether the platonic true-love described in his poems is truly so platonic. But when a mysterious rival poet calling himself Will Shake-speare begins to court both Prince Hamlet and his Dark Lady, Horatio is forced to choose between his skepticism and his love.

Laced with quotes, references, and in-jokes, cross-dressing, bed-tricks, mistaken identity, and a bisexual love-triangle inspired by Shakespeare′s own sonnets, this novel upends everything you thought you knew about Hamlet. Witty, insightful, playful, and truly wise about the greatest works of the Bard, The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet is a delectable treat for people that have loved books like Stephen Greenblatt′s WILL IN THE WORLD and John Updike′s GERTRUDE AND CLAUDIUS.

Review:

"It doesn't get any more meta than this odd prequel, which recounts Hamlet's early years as a student at Wittenberg University. After Horatio, who narrates and quickly becomes obsessed with the beautiful Hamlet, is asked to translate and stage a play by the wealthy merchant Baron de Maricourt and his wife, Lady Adriane (who shows a marked weakness for writers), Horatio casts Hamlet in a major role — that of a young woman — as a way of getting to spend time in his company. Soon, Horatio undertakes a series of sonnets to immortalize Hamlet, but when Adriane gets wind of Horatio's new project, she begins to interfere. Further complications arise with the arrival of a playwright named Will Shake-spear who threatens to usurp Horatio's position with Lady Adriane and Hamlet. Filled with out-of-context quotes from Hamlet, confusions in sexual identity more commonly found in Shakespeare's comedies, and cameo appearances by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the novel too self-consciously repurposes elements from Shakespeare's tragedy, rendering this a colorful if incidental prologue to the tragic events at Elsinore Castle." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

In this witty and wise reimagining of Hamlet — laced with quotes, references, bed tricks, and a bisexual love-triangle inspired by Shakespeare's own sonnets — this novel will upend everything readers think they know about the prince.

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About the Author

Myrlin A. Hermes was born in California in 1975 and was raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Her father designed and built sets for local theatres, and Myrlin grew up performing on stage, reading Shakespeare from the age of nine. She has received grants and awards from the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, the Institute for Humane Studies, and the Arts Council England, and her poetry has been featured in the Notre Dame Review. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:

M.K. Hunter, February 4, 2010 (view all comments by M.K. Hunter)
This lush, luxuriant recasting of the Hamlet story gives us Shakespeare's doomed Dane as seen through the eyes of Horatio, the beloved BFF seen only briefly in the famous play. Devotees of the original tragedy will delight in how cleverly the author sneaks line after famous line into her characters' thoughts and exchanges, as well as how the Bard's own narrative is amplified by the back story this book provides. But you don't have to know the play well to appreciate this lightly erotic love story and its many rhapsodies; it has its own pleasures, in abundance.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780061805196
Author:
Hermes, Myrlin
Publisher:
Harper Perennial
Author:
Hermes, Myrlin A.
Subject:
General
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Trade PB
Publication Date:
20100131
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
384
Dimensions:
8.12x5.30x.96 in. .63 lbs.

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The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet Used Trade Paper
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$6.95 In Stock
Product details 384 pages Harper Perennial - English 9780061805196 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "It doesn't get any more meta than this odd prequel, which recounts Hamlet's early years as a student at Wittenberg University. After Horatio, who narrates and quickly becomes obsessed with the beautiful Hamlet, is asked to translate and stage a play by the wealthy merchant Baron de Maricourt and his wife, Lady Adriane (who shows a marked weakness for writers), Horatio casts Hamlet in a major role — that of a young woman — as a way of getting to spend time in his company. Soon, Horatio undertakes a series of sonnets to immortalize Hamlet, but when Adriane gets wind of Horatio's new project, she begins to interfere. Further complications arise with the arrival of a playwright named Will Shake-spear who threatens to usurp Horatio's position with Lady Adriane and Hamlet. Filled with out-of-context quotes from Hamlet, confusions in sexual identity more commonly found in Shakespeare's comedies, and cameo appearances by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the novel too self-consciously repurposes elements from Shakespeare's tragedy, rendering this a colorful if incidental prologue to the tragic events at Elsinore Castle." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , In this witty and wise reimagining of Hamlet — laced with quotes, references, bed tricks, and a bisexual love-triangle inspired by Shakespeare's own sonnets — this novel will upend everything readers think they know about the prince.
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