Shakespeare in YA?

chancerychislett · May 14, 2011

Can anyone recommend to me YA novels that follow plots of Shakespeare's plays very closely? I want to see how other authors have tackled major speeches without copying them verbatim, and if/how anyone has working in 1st person perspective.

OR if any authors on here are currently in the process of writing such a novel, I'd love to hear how they've tackled these issues.

I know of a few authors that have done Hamlet, but it always seems to be from Ophelia's perspective.

Thanks!

inkspatters · May 14, 2011

I think John Marsden did an appropriation of Hamlet from Hamlet's perspective. Novel's just called Hamlet. I've been meaning to read it for a while, but haven't gotten around to it, so I can't tell you how he tackled the issue. But maybe you could check that out?

And there's Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray, as well, which yeah, is from Ophelia's perspective.

erin_michelle · May 14, 2011

John Marsden's Hamlet that inkspatters is talking about "water downs" the plot so it's easy to follow. I've also read Lisa Klein's Ophelia, which tells the story through Ophelia's POV (obviously

) I think Ms. Klein also has a retelling of Macbeth too.Not YA, Christopher Moore's Fool tells King Lear through the eyes of the court jester.

Based on those--and if my memory serves me right--they cut out the poetry/metaphors and the characters straight up say what they mean. Some of the "more famous" lines stay the same (Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" is probably in both Hamlet retellings), but for the most part when Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet's intentions, he tells her in plain English to stay the hell away from Hamlet.

Abras · May 14, 2011

Hmm... you would think there's gotta be a database somewhere -- online or off -- of all the works based on Shakespeare plays. You should look into it! I know I would be interested to see if there's anything out there based on "Two Gentlemen of Verona." I saw a production of it last month, and of course I'm now writing a little something loosely based on it.

eyeblink · May 14, 2011

Mal Peet's Exposure is modelled on Othello.

Shakesbear · May 14, 2011

Um ... I hesitate to recommend Hunter Steele's Lord Hamlet's Castle as it could be construed as pornography - but it is also, imo, a good laugh.

Charles and Mary Lambs sanitised versions are worth dipping into just to see how not to do it.

Bernard Miles (English Actor, started the Mermaid theatre in Puddle Dock, London) wrote some stories - I think they went under the name 'Favourite stories from Shakespeare' - Amazon may have them.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre shop sells Manga Shakespeare - see here: http://www.rsc.org.uk/shop/category/35e00d75-5708-4d3b-90e8-d62b27ec0a90/

Might be worth emailing the RSC education dept for help/advice - [email protected]

Belle_91 · May 16, 2011

This isn't about any of his works, but there is a book by Carolyn Meyer called Loving Will Shakespeare which is about Anne Hathoway. I haven't read it, but I have read her other books on the Tudors (Mary Bloody Mary, Doomed Queen Anne...) and they were phenomenial!

chancerychislett · May 16, 2011

This is why I go to absolutewrite first! Thanks for all the info guys. I feel less inclined to start on a Hamlet update now knowing that one has recently been done, and quite well too. But I always have lots of other ideas!

Poetoffire · May 17, 2011

There's Romeo's Ex by Lisa Fielder, which is a retelling of R&J from Rosalind's POV that changes a lot of the plot. The prose is a toned-down version of Shakespearean English that's fairly easy to understand. Quotes from the original are in italics and important scenes are described using telling narration from a participant.

It is also a terrible, terrible book that totally misinterprets what's going on, slanders quite a few beloved characters, and the heroine is a snotty Mary Sue whose behavior goes far beyond mere historical inaccuracy.

Momento Mori · May 17, 2011

THE FOOL'S GIRL by Celia Rees is an imagining of what happens after TWELFTH NIGHT and posits the characters as being real and meeting Shakespeare - well worth a look for the take on 16th century historical with a fantasy twist.

MM

chancerychislett · May 17, 2011

Haha did not expect that second paragraph. Will not be going on my reading list! Not that I ever liked R&J to being with.

Poetoffire said:
There's Romeo's Ex by Lisa Fielder, which is a retelling of R&J from Rosalind's POV that changes a lot of the plot. The prose is a toned-down version of Shakespearean English that's fairly easy to understand. Quotes from the original are in italics and important scenes are described using telling narration from a participant.

It is also a terrible, terrible book that totally misinterprets what's going on, slanders quite a few beloved characters, and the heroine is a snotty Mary Sue whose behavior goes far beyond mere historical inaccuracy.

thebloodfiend · May 17, 2011

Another retelling of R&J is Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper. From her dialog, you can tell that she tries too hard to sound like a teenager.

chancerychislett · May 17, 2011

thebloodfiend said:
Another retelling of R&J is Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper. From her dialog, you can tell that she tries too hard to sound like a teenager.

I have heard of this book. Seems like a lot of the R&J YA is lackluster.

Shakespeare in YA?

chancerychislett

better at querying than writing...

inkspatters

The coordinates keep changing...

erin_michelle

Foreshadowing Queen

Abras

eyeblink

Barbara says hi

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw

Belle_91

With her nose stuck in a book

chancerychislett

better at querying than writing...

Poetoffire

Professional Cynic

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

chancerychislett

better at querying than writing...

thebloodfiend

Cory

chancerychislett

better at querying than writing...