Ophelia by Lisa Klein

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Release Date: December 2007

Ophelia by Lisa Klein is perfect for those who love Shakespearean fantasies. Ophelia is an early feminist who must battle her conscious, the orders of her father, and the ambiguity of her husband. The novel begins years before her father finds employment at the royal court. Klein invites us to see the contrast between country life and the lives led in the suffocating Elsinore castle. We see Ophelia as a little girl who happily rolls in the dirt, wrestles her brother, or swims in the river. Her scandalous, tom-boy behavior lands her a position as one of Queen Gertrude's women; however, she must first master the proper behavior of a Lady. Upon Hamlet's return from studying abroad, he is instantly captured by Ophelia's feminine transformation and her wit. Following a clandestine marriage are the familiar events as they unfold in Shakespeare's play. The tragic events that take place in Elsinore's halls are shocking and Ophelia must escape Denmark or risk death at the hands of tyrant King Claudius.

Ophelia is a close re-examination of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, from a woman's view. Shakespeare wrote from the sphere of men, while Lisa Klein uses Ophelia's character to discuss courtly matters, oppression, and the dangers of womanhood. Ophelia is a well-written novel that will please a wide range of readers. Lisa Klein effectively breathes new life into an old story.

Miles from Nowhere by Nami Mun

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Release Date: April 25, 2009

Miles from Nowhere by Nami Mun is a chaotic narrative that reflects the disordered life of a junkie who runs away from home. Joon's tale of her life is not in chronological order. Instead, it feels like she is with us, telling us her life to the best of her ability. Joon's life is the tragic story of a family crumbling apart because of parents that never stopped to think of their daughter. We witness a pre-teen Joon running away from home and experiencing drugs for the first time in an abandoned building. A section later we watch Joon sit with a book while she should be working as a hostess in a sleazy club. There are also moments in which Joon dreams of having her own apartment with her very own toaster. Her humble fantasy of a toaster and a place to lay her head truly excite the emotions of the reader. Miles from Nowhere allows us to watch through a swarm of memories a lonely battle on the streets for one girl's attempt at finding peace.

Nami Mun does a fantastic job of teasing her readers – just as soon as we think we know Joon, the narration ends and we're brought to another chapter of her life. It is impossible to form an intimate relationship with the narrator. We only get to see what Mun and Joon want us to see. One walks away from Miles from Nowhere with a sense of frustration and sorrow. It is a well written book with an experimental style that I would like to see used in other novels. Often times, it feels as if we are simply peeking into Joon's life from a fire escape window. This is a great book and it reads very quickly. It would best suit those with a strong stomach.

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Published By Walker Books for Young Readers

June 21, 2011

Alyxandra Harvey's Haunting Violet is a fantastic period placed novel that contains both mystery and romance. Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts because of her deceptive mother, a self-employed fraudulent medium, who takes advantage of mourning families for financial gain. Lord Jasper, a wealthy Spiritualist, invites Mrs. Willoughby to his estate to perform a séance. As usual, Violet must take part in her mother's schemes or face starvation and homelessness. At the same time, her mother takes on the typical role of a nineteenth century woman by forcing her daughter onto Xavier, a wealthy young man who begins courting Violet, unaware of her peasant origins. Violet's opinion of the spirit world quickly changes when the ghost of a murdered heiress, Rowena Wentworth, begins to haunt her. Sixteen-year-old Violet must accept her talents and bring justice to the restless Rowena while trying to break a love triangle between herself, Xavier, and Colin – an orphan boy she grew up with who now assists her mother.

Haunting Violet is deliciously funny, with a witty narrator that properly serves as a nineteenth century heroine. It is a book with enough mystery and romance to grip any reader's attention until the very last page. Although at times the language isn't accurate for a tale set in 1872, Haunting Violet will please any fan of historical fiction. Those well versed in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century literature will blush at all of the names and references peppered throughout the thoughtfully composed book.

This can be pre-ordered through Amazon.