- Paperback: 230 pages
- Publisher: Strange Worlds Publishing (August 4, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 098577911X
- ISBN-13: 978-0985779115
This book is also available as an e-book.
Publication Date: August 4, 2012
This novel is Shakespeare's Worst Nightmare.
It takes two of the Bard's most famous plays, Hamlet and Othello, and recasts them in Gundarland. There, Hamlet becomes a dwarf and Othello a dark elf and Iago and his wife, Emilia, are trolls.
If that isn't bad enough, these two tragedies are now comedies with Falstaff, Shakespeare's most popular rogue, thrown in as a bonus.
Both Hamlet and Othello are plagued by the scheming Falstaff, who embezzles money from Othello. After Hamlet becomes king (with help from Falstaff) the rogue becomes the dark nemesis behind the throne.
It takes two of the Bard's most famous plays, Hamlet and Othello, and recasts them in Gundarland. There, Hamlet becomes a dwarf and Othello a dark elf and Iago and his wife, Emilia, are trolls.
If that isn't bad enough, these two tragedies are now comedies with Falstaff, Shakespeare's most popular rogue, thrown in as a bonus.
Both Hamlet and Othello are plagued by the scheming Falstaff, who embezzles money from Othello. After Hamlet becomes king (with help from Falstaff) the rogue becomes the dark nemesis behind the throne.
My take on this book:
I have been trying to read books that are different from the genre's that I currently read, and "Falstaff's Big Gamble" really fits the bill! I would classify it as a humorous parody on Shakespeare's classic work. I must admit, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's work, but that didn't stop me from having a laugh out loud reading experience with "Falstaff's Big Gamble." The descriptions of the characters alone, gave me more than a few chuckles, after all Hamlet was a dwarf, whose big ambition was to become a beekeeper, although he did find himself in a bit of a dilemma, when he learned that his father had been murdered, he was torn between avenging his father's death, and learning the art of beekeeping! Throw into the mix Othello who was a elf in charge of Homeland Security, along with fifty year old John Falstaff, a shyster who wears out his welcome in most towns within a few days and you find yourself turning the pages to see just where this story will lead you.
If you're looking for a fun read, where the descriptions make it oh so easy to envision the characters as well as the plot then you're going to enjoy this one! Warning, this book may cause you to laugh out loud, and will certainly have you thinking about the Shakespeare classics in a whole new light.
I have been trying to read books that are different from the genre's that I currently read, and "Falstaff's Big Gamble" really fits the bill! I would classify it as a humorous parody on Shakespeare's classic work. I must admit, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's work, but that didn't stop me from having a laugh out loud reading experience with "Falstaff's Big Gamble." The descriptions of the characters alone, gave me more than a few chuckles, after all Hamlet was a dwarf, whose big ambition was to become a beekeeper, although he did find himself in a bit of a dilemma, when he learned that his father had been murdered, he was torn between avenging his father's death, and learning the art of beekeeping! Throw into the mix Othello who was a elf in charge of Homeland Security, along with fifty year old John Falstaff, a shyster who wears out his welcome in most towns within a few days and you find yourself turning the pages to see just where this story will lead you.
If you're looking for a fun read, where the descriptions make it oh so easy to envision the characters as well as the plot then you're going to enjoy this one! Warning, this book may cause you to laugh out loud, and will certainly have you thinking about the Shakespeare classics in a whole new light.
About Hank Quense:
Award-winning author Hank Quense writes humorous fantasy and sci-fi stories. His motto is fantasy and sci-fi stories told with humor and satire. He has over forty published short stories and a number of nonfiction articles. On occasion, he also writes an article on fiction writing or book marketing but says that writing nonfiction is like work while writing fiction is fun. He refuses to write serious genre fiction saying there is enough of that on the front page of any daily newspaper and on the evening TV news. Hank lives in Bergenfield, NJ with his wife Pat. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Hank’s previous works include Zaftan Enterprises, Zaftan Miscreants and Tales From Gundarland, a collection of fantasy stories. Readers Favorite awarded the book a medal and EPIC designated it a finalist in its 2011 competition. His Fool’s Gold is a retelling of the ancient Rhinegold myth and Tunnel Vision is a collection of twenty previously published short stories. Build a Better Story is a book of advice for fiction writers.
I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Great review!
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