Book Review: Hamlet Dreams

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hamlet Dreams     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jennifer Barlow
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Romance   Horror
Aardwolf, 2001, $13.95, 219 pp.

In North Carolina, Zac knows he is the poster boy for the stereotypical boring nerd. However, when he dreams of "The Other Place", he fantasizes that he is Hamlet, frequent visitant to Avalon, Lilliput, and Sherwood Forest among other locales. In his reverie realm, Zac as Hamlet is the master of all he perceives.

Recently Zac has changed since he fell in love with Cecile. He no longer seeks escape from the mundane or the ugly. He no longer needs The Other Place as Cecile now provides him with solace. However, Carcajou, the real ruler of The Other Place, refuses to free Zac and even tries to come to North Caroline through his host’s dreams. Carcajou even forces Zac into sleep whenever he desires to do so. Zac, as he has recently done many times before, turns to his beloved Cecile for help, but though she loves him, she has her own demons to contend with.

HAMLET’S DREAMS is an exciting tale that can be interpreted on two distinct levels as either a taut fantasy thriller or a deep psychological drama. Either way, the impressive vividly written story line takes the reader on a journey to another plane controlled by an outside force or perhaps the realm of the hero’s subconscious controlled by his mind. The lead couple is weak individuals unable to stand up for their values including their love yet battle they must. Zac and Cecile’s lack of courage even when danger confronts them as both need encouraging external catalysts to act. This adds depth to a scary surrealistic story line that leaves readers metaphysically pondering whether the demon is inside or outside man?

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner