Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel

By: A. J. Hartley, David Hewson

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

It is a tale of ghosts, of madness, of revenge - of old alliances giving way to new intrigues. Denmark is changing, shaking off its medieval past. War with Norway is on the horizon. And Hamlet - son of the old king, nephew of the new - becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deception - and murder.

Struggling to find his place in this strange new order Hamlet tries to rekindle his relationship with Ophelia - the daughter of Elsinore’s cunning spy master, a man with plots of his own. Hamlet turns for advice and support to the one person he can trust -- Young Yorick, the slippery, unruly jester, whose father helped Hamlet through a difficult childhood. And all the while the armed forces of Fortinbras, prince of Norway, start to assemble, threatening to bring down Elsinore forever.

Beautifully performed by actor Richard Armitage ("Thorin Oakenshield" in the Hobbit films), Hamlet, Prince of Denmark takes Shakespeare’s original into unexpected realms, reinventing a story we thought we knew.

A. J. Hartley is the New York Times best-selling author of the Will Hawthorne fantasy series and several thrillers, as well as the Darwen Arkwright books for younger readers. He is the Russell Robinson Distinguished Professor of Shakespeare at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

David Hewson is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels, including the Nic Costa crime series and a trilogy of books based on the hit Danish television show The Killing. His most-recent novel, The House of Dolls, begins a new series set in Amsterdam.

Richard Armitage is known to movie audiences around the world as "Thorin Oakenshield" in the trilogy of films based on The Hobbit. Born in Leicester, England, and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Armitage has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and created memorable roles on Robin Hood, North & South, and other British TV series.

©2014 A.J. Hartley, David Hewson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It's a fresh, contemporary take on Shakespeare's tragedy, one not afraid to create new characters or cut long soliloquies. We get a noirish Hamlet, who, when asked by Laertes if he's ready to fence, blurts out: 'I've been ready all my life.'" ( Associated Press)

"English literature teachers worried about getting pupils entranced by Shakespeare should plug them in to this imaginative gloss on Hamlet before starting on the real thing. Hobbit-fanciers will rejoice to find that Richard “Thorin Oakenshield” Armitage is an outstandingly versatile narrator. This is the one of the most powerful listening experiences that I’ve had." ( The Times London)

"Armitage is amazing. He's more than a simple reader, showing himself as a gifted actor. He gives distinct life to each of the many characters in the tragedy, making it easy to follow the story. You can actually close your eyes and listen to the work and imagine the scenes unfolding, thanks to Armitage's acting skills." ( AudioFile)

Never Thought I would be able to Read This!

The engaging and mesmerizing performance of Richard Armitage and such a well written story gave me an opportunity to know a daunting story that I never thought I would be able to bring myself to read.

Well done Hartley and Hewson and ENCORE to Richard Armitage.

Won't spoil the story for those who have not know of the story of Hamlet, but WITH THIS!!! With THIS, I have finally come to know the story of Hamlet and what an incredible story it is.

Shakespeare would be a fan!

Shakespeare would be a fan! The adaptation is fantastic and the additional story is perfect.
The narrator was very good.

Tragic but brilliant

Would you consider the audio edition of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel to be better than the print version?

The story of Hamlet is well known, but not like this. Richard Armitage brings to life this story with his brilliant narration and capabilities to voice several different characters. Those this story has a tragic ending it was fun to listen to and will enjoy it again and again.

Creative (& quality) licence taken

A re-telling of the classic Shakespeare story as more of a thriller. Clever and well produced and reaf.

Excellent!!

A fantastic telling of Hamlet with a most superb narration. Richard Armitage makes any story come alive!

Goosebumps

Richard Armitage really brings this familiar story vividly to life. He's a brilliant reader and performer. I had goosebumps several times listening, and found myself going back and listening to some passages again, just for the sheer enjoyment of hearing the poetry and music of what he created with his voice. Just wow.

Loved this! More please!!!

I am becoming a great fan of audio books and this was an excellent example of why I have come to love them so much. The story is action driven and the brilliant narration by Richard Armitage give the story added depth and makes the well known play accessible to people who usually groan over Shakespeare! I am looking forward to listening to the audi versions of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet!😀😀😀

Fantastic whether you like Shakespeare or not!

Just as great as their audio novelization of Macbeth, perhaps even better. The narration, the story, everything is unsurpassed. Shakespeare himself I think would be pleased.

Alas Poor Yorick - You Stole the Show

What did you love best about Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel?

As a lover of mysteries I loved this Hamlet by Hartley and Hewson. I'm fairly familiar with Shakespeare's Hamlet, have read the play and seen it on stage and screen, but never realized before now what a wonderfully entertaining psychological mystery it could be. Richard Armitage gave a marvelous performance that kept me guessing at every turn, even if I already knew how the story would end.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved getting to know the characters better, or in a different way, than the play. For the first time I felt sympathy for Claudius and Gertrude, two star-crossed lovers, and for Ophelia who I never liked before, but in this story is a strong character I could relate to at the end. Interesting that the character I had the least sympathy for was Hamlet, who I saw as lacking empathy and understanding of those around him, especially Ophelia and his mother. I also loved the swashbuckling scene with the pirates, and all the sword fighting scenes, so brilliantly performed by Armitage that I could see the swords flashing and the skill of the swordsmen in my mind.

Which character – as performed by Richard Armitage – was your favorite?

My favorite character is Yorick - and that was unexpected. Armitage really defines this character with the voice and the "attitude" that you forget both Yorick and Hamlet are being voiced by the same person. Yorick made me laugh and made me think and made me cry.

Who was the most memorable character of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel and why?

There are many. Yorick, who I just mentioned stands out. Claudius who is struggling with his conscience and driven by the love he has for Gertrude. Elias, who comes on at the end, but left an impression in my mind as a voice of wisdom and a man of courage. Hamlet, who remains a bit of an enigma to me, but the story left me wondering at the end what kind of leader he would have been.

Any additional comments?

I'm very familiar with audiobooks since I listen to them whenever I'm on the go. I'm also extremely familiar with all of Richard Armitage's audiobooks, from the early Robin Hood ones to Heyer and Cornwell. I hope that he continues to record more audiobooks since he has a magical talent for narrating books, performing them really, he goes so much beyond a reading or narration. He creates an entire "company of players" with this voice. No matter how many times I've listened to his audiobooks, a few minutes in and I forget that it's one man with his velvet voice, but am instantly transported to a different world and another time. I loved Hamlet:A Novel and it's now my second favorite Armitage audiobook after Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell. It's sad that Lords of the North narrated (performed) by Richard Armitage is no longer available.

Loved also the commentary at the end by Hartley and Hewson.

I also want to recommend Macbeth:A Novel by Hartley and Hewson with a wonderful performance by Alan Cumming.

WOW! Absolutely Amazing.

If you could sum up Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel in three words, what would they be?

Shakespeare only better

Who was your favorite character and why?

Young Yorick. He adds focus to Hamlet and a lightness to the scenes he is in.He is a very complex character.

Which character – as performed by Richard Armitage – was your favorite?

Hamlet. The agony and pain he is going through is excellently performed by Armitage.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hamlet speaking to his mother about her betrayal of his father.

Any additional comments?

Buy this audio book today. You will not be disappointed. I hope they write more Shakespearean re-imaginations, if that is what you call it.