About the book
Gertrude and Claudius are the “villains” of Hamlet: he the killer of Hamlet’s father and usurper of the Danish throne; she his lusty consort, who marries Claudius before her late husband’s body is cold. But in this imaginative “prequel” to the play, John Updike makes a case for the royal couple that Shakespeare only hinted at. Gertrude and Claudius are seen afresh against a background of fond intentions and family dysfunction, on a stage darkened by the ominous shadow of a sullen, erratic, disaffected prince. “I hoped to keep the texture light,” Updike said of this novel, “to move from the mists of Scandinavian legend into the daylight atmosphere of the Globe. I sought to narrate the romance that preceded the tragedy.”
Editions of Gertrude and Claudius
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780449006979
- AltFormat
- ISBN 9780375409080
- EBook
- ISBN 9780375411632
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593150108
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593150115
Read an Excerpt
Gertrude and Claudius are the “villains” of Hamlet: he the killer of Hamlet’s father and usurper of the Danish throne; she his lusty consort, who marries Claudius before her late husband’s body is cold. But in this imaginative “prequel” to the play, John Updike makes a case for the royal couple that Shakespeare only hinted at. Gertrude and Claudius are seen afresh against a background of fond intentions and family dysfunction, on a stage darkened by the ominous shadow of a sullen, erratic, disaffected prince. “I hoped to keep the texture light,” Updike said of this novel, “to move from the mists of Scandinavian legend into the daylight atmosphere of the Globe. I sought to narrate the romance that preceded the tragedy.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gertrude and Claudius about?
Gertrude and Claudius are the “villains” of Hamlet: he the killer of Hamlet’s father and usurper of the Danish throne; she his lusty consort, who marries Claudius before her late husband’s body is cold. But in this imaginative “prequel” to the play, John Updike makes a case for the royal couple that Shakespeare only hinted at. Gertrude and Claudius are seen afresh against a background of fond intentions and family dysfunction, on a stage darkened by the ominous shadow of a sullen, erratic, disaffected prince. “I hoped to keep the texture light,” Updike said of this novel, “to move from the mists of Scandinavian legend into the daylight atmosphere of the Globe. I sought to narrate the romance that preceded the tragedy.”
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Gertrude and Claudius?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Gertrude and Claudius?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780449006979
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Gertrude and Claudius?
John Updike
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Gertrude and Claudius is available as paperback(ISBN 9780449006979) and altformat(ISBN 9780375409080) and ebook(ISBN 9780375411632) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593150108) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593150115)
Where can I buy Gertrude and Claudius online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Gertrude and Claudius from below
Where can I buy Gertrude and Claudius?