Formerly a member of the Royal Shakespearean Company, actor/director Kenneth Branagh confesses that he has been intrigued and in some ways obsessed by Hamlet from early on in his life, early teens and before. That intense devotion-bordering-on-obsession serves this book well, as well as it's movie counterpart. Both the introduction and the film diary give excellent insights into not just how the movie was made, but the play itself, and how things that we don't notice--for example, what a good statesman Polonius is, because he treats Hamlet well and with respect even after Hamlet disgraces Ophelia ("To a nunnery, go" and during the entire play-within-a-play)--help to create that character in more dimensions than simply the Kingmaker. As you read the text of the play--and that is exactly what this is, the "eternity version" of Hamlet, pieced together from several quartos and one surviving copy--there are notations from Branagh, stage directions and hints for the reader of what the passage is saying. Several soliloquies have been shifted in this edition to make it flow better for filming, and I think they are actual improvements on the places they are found in the text. However, the shifting of passages does not dull the understanding of the play a whit; even though this is made as a companion book to an excellent film, it stands alone quite well as an "everyman's" treatise on how Hamlet the play and Hamlet the man can influence one person's life.

Such a remarkable bildungsroman: a book of development. The young Hamlet, who has to grow up when his father is suspiciously killed, and his uncle suddenly marries his mother. Hamlet is forced to decide whether or not he will honor his father's ghost who tells him that his own brother has killed him to marry his wife--Hamlet's mother. The story goes on to tell how Hamlet's decision creates the complications and final resolve, but it is amazing how Shakespeare (again) is a master at the psychological reasoning that goes on in one. Besides the book, which is wonderful, the original especially, the movie with Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet is the best I think.

This has always been a favorite of mine. I understand that people may either love or hate Shakespeare, however I am unable to comprehend the latter. Shakespeare's characters provide a deep psychology for the audience to grab on to. Although one may not neccessarily agree with a specific character's motives or ideals, he or she is absolutely able to now argue the character's mind set; you are in their mind and understand how they see the world. This is a literary vacation in my opinion; to be able to enter into another world and see things through their eyes. It is captivating and I only hope that I may learn how to fully replicate such an art form; to let one's talent speak for itself.

Hamlet, of course, is always amazing; however, for those who will be viewing the play rather than reading it, Kenneth Branagh's is the one. (The David Tennant film is tepid; the Ethan Hawke one is unbearable.)

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it.