few scenes of Hamlet, so I had to think of ways for her to see, or at least hear about, the action. Technology helped. I also had Hamlet bring her with him to scenes she did not originally witness. Hamlet begins after the death of his father and remarriage of his mother, but I wanted readers to see what things were like before their world fell apart. I also added a life for Ophelia outside of the castle— an interest in art, attraction to other boys, and friends not afraid to comment on her behavior and choices. I wanted to give her a depth that Shakespeare did not. But heck, his play isn’t called Ophelia, so I can’t blame the guy.
My purpose in writing Falling for Hamlet, besides entertaining myself in asking the many “what if” questions, was the hope that readers would become more interested in Hamlet. If you’re familiar with the original, I hope this book has provided you with an entertaining twist on a great story. If you don’t know Hamlet, I encourage you to see it. Note I didn’t say “read it.” As I say to my students, Shakespeare is meant to be performed, not read. Do as you like, but even I, who do this a lot, am challenged by the original text. My recommendation: If you can’t go see a stage production, or even if you can, rent one of the many great movie versions— or a few different ones. Hamlet is a story people love to tell in their own way, so whether you see the modern one, an Elizabethan one, the uncut version, or one that’s super short, enjoy. Then try another Shakespeare. And another. The man could tell a story.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To Jonathan, who told me “once upon a road trip” to start writing down the stories I had in my head, and who kept me going when I considered giving up.
To my sweet girls, who were sometimes quiet enough for me to write.
Love to my parents, who first introduced me to Shakespeare, and who made me appreciate learning of all kinds.
Thanks to the Rays, the best in-laws a girl could ask for.
To Amy, who made me admit to being a writer, and to Kim, for taking me under her writerly wing.
Thanks to my friends and family for support and encouragement. Special thanks to Shari, who liked it first, and Keren, Amanda, Valerie, Phyllis, and Billy for approving and suggesting. And love to Lauren, my trusty reader who never hesitates to tell me when something sucks.
To my Westlake teachers and Tufts drama professors, who gave me an incredible education in literature and in life.
To the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival for inspiring me annually with awesomely creative takes on great works, and to D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company for inspiring a new way to look at Hamlet.
Thanks to my agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, who believed this would happen, and to my editor, Alvina Ling, for making it so. Thanks, as well, to Pam, Bethany, and Connie at Little, Brown for assistance and for suggestions that helped improve the story.
To my teacher buddies, who spend each day trying to make kids better thinkers, readers, learners, and people.
And to my students for making me a better thinker, reader, learner, and person. I wrote this for you as part of my ongoing quest to make you love Shakespeare as much as I do.
Contents
Front Cover Image
Welcome
Epigraph
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Copyright
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 by Michelle Ray
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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First eBook Edition: July 2011
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
ISBN: 978-0-316-13442-2
Table of Contents
Front Cover Image
Welcome
Epigraph
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Copyright
Table of Contents
Front Cover Image
Welcome
Epigraph
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Copyright