Staff Pick of the Week: Ophelia

This week's pick is Ophelia: a Novel by Lisa Klein (YA KLEIN).

For everyone who knows the story of Hamlet and Ophelia, here is a retelling that takes the story much farther than Shakespeare ever did. Born in 1585 to a fairly poor family, Ophelia spends much of her childhood chasing after her brother Laertes and playing the part of the tomboy. But when her father gains favor at court, Ophelia and Laertes are taken to live with him at Elsinore Castle, and it is there that Ophelia is noticed by Queen Gertrude. At first Ophelia is snubbed by the other ladies-in-waiting and feels stifled by the strict rules that govern women's behavior at court, but in time she becomes one of the queen's closest confidants. The queen respects her thirst for knowledge and supplies her with books and opportunities for learning. As Ophelia grows older she is also noticed by Prince Hamlet, but due to their differences in rank (he is royalty and she is the lowliest lady-in-waiting), they must meet in secret. She finds herself falling in love with Hamlet, and begins to dream of a life where they could be together. But then tragedy strikes - the king is murdered and Hamlet is not only thrown into the deepest grief, but becomes possessed with the desire for revenge. Ophelia finds herself drawn more and more into Hamlet's madness. Will she be able to save herself before Hamlet reaches his breaking point?