87 pages 2 hours read

Margaret Atwood

Hag-Seed: William Shakespeare's The Tempest Retold

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed, Felix Phillips, a deposed artistic director consumed by grief and vengeance, stages a prison production of Shakespeare's The Tempest to enact his revenge on his betrayers. Through the transformative power of art, Felix and his cast of inmates grapple with themes of loss, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed retells Shakespeare's The Tempest with creativity and wit. Critics praise its clever modern twist, engaging prose, and deep character exploration. Some find the plot's pacing slow and theatrical references dense, but overall, it is lauded as a fascinating and imaginative read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hag-Seed?

A reader who would enjoy Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed is likely a fan of contemporary retellings of classic literature, such as Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea. They appreciate Shakespearean themes, dark humor, and modern twists on ancient texts. This novel would appeal to those who enjoy intricate character studies and narratives that mesh literary homage with innovative storytelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Revenge

Identity: Mental Health

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice