Hamlet

Performance great; commentary lacking

This is the second "Shakespeare Appreciated" recording I have listened to. The first was "Julius Caesar". The performance was just as good but the commentary was almost non-existent. Pretty much "Hamlet enters..." or "Hamlet exits...” If you have no concern for the commentary you will enjoy this.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Commentary Appreciated

This is an excellent narration of Hamlet. The performance keeps the story moving. The version with commentary gives great insight into the play. I enjoyed listening to both versions of the play. Great for students reading Hamlet for the first time as well as for those who have read it many times over. A must buy for your collection.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Shakespeare revealed!

While I have loved the poetry of Hamlet, it wasn't until I listened to this performance of the play - powerfully well done - with commentary that I was able to transcend 21st century culture and immerse myself in the depths of Hamlet. The program unveiled my brain to the beauty which had been previously obscure.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

What a great way to "read" Shakespeare

Let's admit it, Shakespeare is daunting! I have a goal to read all of the plays, and then perhaps the sonnets, etc., but sometimes I don't know where to start. When I found this audio book that includes a commentary, I snapped it up. I could listen to and enjoy the fabulous play, but when I got lost or just didn't understand something, the commentator was there to help. She helped me understand word usage of the time, symbolism, and other useful things that are jam-packed in this play and make it the classic that it is. For me it was perfect. You can listen without the commentary as well, for people who would rather not have those comments going on but want to hear some great readers performing this play. I will definitely pick up other titles in this series.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Love this series

Any additional comments?

Listen to the version with commentary, then the one without, for a fantastic experience, as you will then understand every utterance! This would have been time-consuming in print, but it goes by quickly with Audible. Thanks for a great series. The actors are very professional and do the master justice.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good Introduction, with Reservations

This could be helpful for an introductory student of Shakespeare and "Hamlet". There is some dramatization (carefully and rightfully described as being "speculative", as are all details of Shakespeare's life and literary motives) of Shakespeare's possible thinking when he wrote "Hamlet". Then there's a complete version of the play, done very well, but with extensive commentary. Anyone interested in getting to know Shakespeare but unfamiliar with the language of the time could find all this interruption helpful.
My reservation is that it can also be somewhat confusing. I believe this might be better done (and perhaps has been done) in a video format. This is a noble effort, and I hope it might bring more people to an appreciation of "Hamlet".

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Very Comprehensive and Engaging

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to any students who may be studying Hamlet, both for the insight into how it is performed and the integrated commentary which fills in an enormous amount of background detail without slowing down the story too much.

What did you like best about this story?

The most outstanding feature was the research and insight that went into the commentary. This is not a cheap cash in on a famous title.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book is very dense and may give you a bit of indigestion if listened to quickly. That said, I was in a hurry and used the 2x speed on the iPhone and was still able to follow it well.

Any additional comments?

An important note: if you just want to listen to the dramatized reading of the play, just play Part 2. It doesn't have any commentary.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Great for a Shakespeare beginner!

Any additional comments?

I have always been afraid of Shakespeare because the language and meanings are so different. I didn't think I would be able to understand what the "true" meaning was. This audio was set up perfectly. The first part the narrator interrupts and explains the back story or the particular meaning of a phrase. Once I listened to that I was able to listen to just the dramatized play and I got so much more out of it than I would have listening on my own.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great way to listen to the play

Plays are a visual thing for us, even for those who went to "hear a play" back in Shakespeare's time - they at least looked at people occasionally to sort everyone out (if they were paying attention). Reading a play is easier as well compared to having to listen to an audio version.

I was preparing to direct Hamlet and wanted to drown myself in the play as much as possibel so I got this to listen to while in the car. Wonderful attempt at performing the play tho as a fan of Shakespeare, the commentary did get in the way a bit. It's great for beginners and those who have issues with Shakespeare's language!

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Great Production

Where does Hamlet rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I always enjoy dramatizations, and this is a good one. I use it to help my students hear Shakespeare as they find it very hard to read. The kids enjoy the production and find it easy to follow and interesting. Keep in mind, however, that the dramatized version WITHOUT commentary doesn't start until chapter 27. I find this backwards, but either way, I guess it works.

Any additional comments?

I do appreciate the commentary, but it's not really in depth. For someone trying to learn Hamlet or understand it a first or second time around, it is probably very useful, but I didn't hear any truly thought provoking comments.