Undiscovered Country (3M)
The undiscover’d country, from whose bourn
No traveler returns, – HAMLET
Lin Enger’s debut novel is a modern take on Hamlet, but with a few differences from the original. Even though I’m very familiar with the play, I found that Undiscovered Country surprisingly kept me in suspense throughout. There were just enough differences to keep me more than interested in the novel.
Set in wintry Minnesota, Jesse finds his father in the woods — dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. While the local law enforcement thinks it’s a closed case, Jesse refuses to believe that his father committed suicide and sets out to prove it. Of course there’s a suspicious uncle in the story as well as an ‘Ophelia’, but it doesn’t always follow the ’script,’ so there is that element of suspense to the tale.
Enger’s descriptions of the starkly cold winters in Minnesota really add to the atmosphere of the book, and his writing of the characters, though familiar, seem very real. We feel Jesse’s angst, just as we did Hamlet’s. We want justice, just as we do in Shakespeare’s play. I would love to read and compare this book to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and The Dead Father’s Club, both also modern retellings of the famous play.
Lin Enger is the brother of Leif Enger, who wrote Peace Like a River, which I loved, and also So Brave, Young, and Handsome, which I hope to read sometime this year. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for Lin Enger’s next novel as well.
2008, 304 pp.
Popularity: 27% [?]
I’ve seen this book around but never realized it was a modern re-telling of Hamlet. Your review makes me want to read it.
My favorite book of all time is Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Wish me luck!
=) Jill
Well since I listed this (from your review) on my Friday Finds this week - I MUST enter!! Choosing just one book is really hard to do…I guess forced to choose just one, it would have to be Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving.
Your review makes this book sound so good! My favorite book has to be Jane Eyre if I must answer with just one.;)
If I were to choose just 1 book so far i would have to say it “The Beach House” by Mary Alice Monroe if i could choose a second book it’s the follow up to this one “Swimming Lessons”. This review sounds wonderful I would like to be entered in your contest. photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Not terribly original perhaps, but one of my favourite books of all time is Pride and Prejudice.
It’s hard to pick a favorite but Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier would have to be very close to the top of the list. I also think Shane by Jack Schaefer is a wonderful book too.
I loved Peace Like a River! Great review:) My favorite book of all time is The Bible. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Hey.. do enter me for this giveaway! my all time favorite book is Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie.. with Wild Swans a close second:)
ramyasbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com
It’s difficult to name a favorite book of all time, it varies with my mood!
I like “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom, and “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield to name a couple.
Like Hamlet? Oooh…
Oops, sorry. I forgot to answer. My favorite book of ALL time is the Holy Bible.
My favorite novel is a toss-up between “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” Please enter me in your drawing. Your blog is pretty cool, BTW.
My favorite semi-classic is Gone With The Wind. And my favorite current books are The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Thanks for offering what sounds like a great book.
oh, this book just sounds too good. I am feeling greedy, but that is not enough to stop me
My fave book of all time, AHHH! I have so many
I will do my first favourite book. It was Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and shortly after that I fell in love with To Kill a Mockingbird.
I now have too many to list.
Nice, my favorite book of all time is Alice in Wonderland! AWESOME BOOK!
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THE DIZZY
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LOL, I would have to put in more than one title. I have the worst time trying to chose one favorite. I will always love Anne of Green Gables, it’s my favorite book from childhood. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle really impacted my view on social welfare. Dogs of Babel makes me cry like a baby every time I read it and my favorite classic is To Kill A Mockingbird.
Sorry for the long answer and thanks for hosting this giveaway.
My all-time favorite book is “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl. As an adult my favorite is “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See.
Thanks for all the fun!
I too was surprised that I was still wondering what was going to happen, even though I know Hamlet. That’s some good writing - I’d love to win it so my hubs can read it too.
aww nuts, forgot i was supposed to list my fave book - well that would be by Lin’s brother Leif Enger - Peace Like a River, hands down.
thanks!
mel
Sep 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
[…] away a new hardback of The Undiscovered Country by Lin Enger. To enter, please post a comment at my review post listing your favorite book of all time. You can put more than one title down if you want to. […]