The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet

by Myrlin A. Hermes

Book Overview

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

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006180519X
• ISBN13: 9780061805196
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet is a fine ramble through Shakespeare's time, but with a glint of today's views on gay, straight, and bi-partisan sex. It's college life for Hamlet and friends, students and faculty. The author turns me on to an adventure that has always been somewhat suffocated by iambic pentameter, and now is liberated by modern prose. And all the lacing of dialogue with innuendo and hidden meanings let's me feel I'm in on all the plot twists. I can't wait for the play and movie!

A fun and thought-provoking bon-bon for Shakespeare fans

In the tradition of "Rosencrantz and guildenstern...." and countless other Shakespeare-inspired pastiches, Hermes imagines a world that takes place before the events in the play "Hamlet," a world where Hamlet is an impetuous, gorgeous cipher of a man -- and gay. Hamlet turns his high-wattage charms on to win the heart of his scholarly friend horatio, and Horatio must deal with his own attraction to the charismatic prince, while also carrying on an affair with his mysterious and somewhat-masculine patroness, writing love sonnets, and directing a self-penned play. oh, and Horatio also tries to find out more about his mysterious rival for Hamlet's affections, a shadowy scribe named Shakespeare. Two thumbs up!

Tantalizing style, wit, and poise!

Others have explained the general plot of this marvelously crafted gem, so I will explain why I could not put down this book. The vocabulary is rich, the style is believably crafted to imitate the dialogue and musings of a 16th-century poet, and the imagery and figurative language are refreshingly unlike anything I have read in the past five years. I have a passion for Shakespeare's work in general (and "Hamlet" specifically) and I felt as if this book was written specifically to make me happy; it revisits and expounds upon some of The Bard's most notorious characters with great skill. In fact, I couldn't bear to be outside of 5 feet at all times while in the middle of this novel. The plot has at its center a love triangle, and while this may not be considered the most original pivot upon which to turn a story, the complicated passion, intrigue, and interwoven tapestry of vibrant characters charmed me absolutely. Hamlet is beautiful and larger than life, a perfect foil to the mysterious Dark Mistress and Horatio, caught in the middle, documents the entire ordeal with frank descriptions of its sensuality and torment. In a word, this book is Delicious!

A Brilliant Book!

I was intrigued with Myrlin Hermes' new novel, The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet, so I bought it. (I am fascinated with books based on a prior literary work, but expanded into its own story, and this one did not disappoint!) Although I took an AP Shakespeare course in high school and read many of his plays, I am not an English Lit major, nor do I have an MFA in Creative Writing. I am also not a professional book reviewer. And although I am myself a writer, I am basically an average woman with an average life. But I wanted to comment on this book. It is a fictional tale of the relationship between Horatio and Prince Hamlet. I must admit I had to refresh my memory with the historical background of Shakespeare's Hamlet, but then I jumped right into the story. The book was very well written - it was witty, and creative. When reading it, you truly feel as if you are participating in that piece of history. Hermes did an excellent job of using the language of the time period. I almost expected one of the characters to appear at my side any minute. Most of the novel was written from Horatio's point of view, and Hermes has made him a likeable, believable character with whom we can easily empathize. The plot of the book is very interesting, containing creative twists and turns. It revolves around love and devotion, and of course - romance and eroticism. What more can you ask for? Bottom line - Read the book! To find out more about the book, and the author, visit Myrlin Hermes' website at [...]. She is a truly creative and interesting person, in more ways than just writing books.

a witty, original novel for Shakespeare lovers

This is a witty, original, and highly intelligent novel: a Shakespeare comedy turned upside down and inside out in a bawdy, bi-sexual world. Quotes from the bard are hidden on every page for the reader to discover. We watch the madcap story as if we sat in the corner of an Elizabethan tavern in 1593, laughing at the fast-paced comedy which, like all comedies, has touches of deep sadness and regret.--Stephanie Cowell, author of The Players: a novel of the young Shakespeare, and Claude & Camille: a novel of Claude Monet (April from Crown).