By Jim Mcleod 
The Hamlet by Joanna Corrance, Exploring Existential Fears
The Hamlet by Joanna Corrance, Exploring Existential Fears
Almost two years ago, I reviewed The Gingerbread Men by Joanna Corrance, and this gothic horror novel entranced me, so when I heard that Joanna had a new novella coming from Newcon Press, I knew I had to purchase a copy. And I decided to treat myself to one of the limited editions, but was it worth it?
I am a sucker for end-of-the-world stories. Ever since watching Threads and The Day After as a young Ginger Nut, I have been fascinated with what I would do if faced with the impending apocalypse. I have good survival skills, know how to hunt and butcher almost any animal, and thanks to my extensive horticultural knowledge, I can grow cress on a wet paper towel.
But some apocalypses aren’t like the others. The one faced by the protagonists of Hamlet is an insidious, ethereal end of the world, where we don’t know what is happening, meaning we are in the dark as much as the characters of Hamlet. It’s a bold move; many readers need to know everything; they require a complete set of reasons for the characters’ motivations and a rationale for why the story is taking place.
However, Corrance asks that we have faith in her as she takes us by the hand for a tour of Hamlet’s many weird, wonderful and unsettling inhabitants.
Hamlet is a set of marvellous interconnected short stories that introduce us to an engaging ensemble cast that showcases Corrance’s talent for creating deeply flawed yet relatable characters.
Told from the female perspective, the men of Hamlet are confined to almost walk-on parts, or the focus of the story’s danger. From Robbie, the nasty boyfriend of Polly’s mother (we will get to Polly in a bit), to Mathew, the village’s sex pest. There aren’t many good male characters in this book, and the one or two who seem to be genuinely decent men have fates worse than death.
For a collection devoid of “good men”, The Hamlet never reads as an angry, anti-male collection. Rather than being full of rage and anger, it takes a much more interesting narrative path. Hamlet is more a celebration of womanhood; the stories, while filled with blemished and bruised women, read more as a celebration of the strength and perseverance of women in the world.
Each individual’s journey, from Robyn’s ill-fated artistic pursuit to Beth’s battle with grief, acts as a lens for Corrance to focus her exceptional storytelling on the struggles faced by so many women in today’s world. The fragmented narrative structure echoes the disarray of the crisis, pulling readers into the task of piecing together the story alongside the protagonists.
The writing on show here is remarkable; Corrance can absorb the reader entirely in these magical stories. There is a real sense of wonder within these pages; you will sit there wondering where these stories will go, and then Corrance bewitches you with a brilliant narrative hook. Torrance has a gift to end each story with a single sentence or a paragraph that compels you to continue reading this spectacular book.
As for the stories themselves, there isn’t a single one that disappoints; every single one of these stories should be on every short story’s best-of list this year. The last time a set of stories affected me this much was Laura Mauro’s exceptional Sing Your Sadness Deep. The general feel of the stories in both books is shared in many ways.
The opening story, Down the Drain, is a weird and profoundly moving tale of Beth coming to terms with her mother’s death. It is a powerful story that takes a sympathetic look at the effect of grief on a person and how the simple day-to-day tasks of simply looking after yourself take such a toll on a person’s psyche. There is a section where you will think, what the hell is happening here? Psychedelic, Alice in Wonderland meets Escher, with a payoff convincing you that you must devour this book.
The Dollhouse Gallery is a deeply unsettling tale of Robyn, who was hired to create a Dollhouse for the client. The imagery of thos story is filled with unkown dread and fear. It reads like the greatest Saphire and Steel story we ever got.
Jeanine is a creepy body horror story of a seemingly successful and happy woman. Still, as the story unfolds, we learn she has never been entirely comfortable in her own body. To say much more will ruin the payoff for this story.
Everything Must Sparkle is a humorous, if extremely bonkers, story of a social media influencer’s descent into either madness or ultimate happiness. What starts as a seemingly simple kitchen sink drama morphs into a horrific tale with a completely left-field ending.
And then we come to Bedtime Stories, starring the aforementioned Polly. This is a powerful, moving, and, at times, heartbreaking story of Polly, whose life is made miserable by her mother’s boyfriend. But Polly has bedtime stories and dreams. One that empowers her to become her saviour. A Princess and Space Wizard, Polly becomes the focal epicentre of the events in Hamlet. One warning: don’t upset Polly or those she cares for, as there will be no happy ending for You.
Joanna Corrance’s The Hamlet is a genre-bending masterpiece that delves deeply into humanity’s reactions to the unknown. The novel artfully balances elements of suspense, fantasy, and philosophical inquiry, combined with eerie fairy-tale visuals, resulting in a persistent sense of discomfort, creating a rich narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Featuring compelling character arcs that invite readers to invest in the struggles and triumphs of its characters. Each personality is intricately crafted, revealing the complexities of their thoughts and emotions as they navigate their challenges.
Ultimately, The Hamlet is not just a story; it is an exploration of fear, curiosity, and the human condition. Its thought-provoking themes and beautiful prose resonate deeply, solidifying its place as one of my all-time favourite books.
The Hamlet by Joanna Corrance
Screens go blank, radios go silent, and the government is advising everyone to stay indoors. The residents of a rural Scottish community abandon their picnics and return home. Everyone can sense that something is wrong, but little do they suspect just how wrong…
The Hamlet is a new novella by Scottish author Joanna Corrance, who delivers a fabulous tale that dances between horror and science fiction with an added dash of weird.
Our cast of characters are all inhabitants of the Hamlet, including Eve, a businesswoman stranded when the planes are grounded; Robyn, an artist who accepts a commission to create a dollhouse to exacting specifications, with dire consequences; Helen, desperate to provide content for her online followers; Jeanie, for whom monsters may be more real than even she realises; Polly, a neglected child who has her own unique way of coping with reality… Together, the lives of these and others enable us to piece together what really happened in a very peculiar rural community when ‘things got strange’.
“The Hamlet takes the reader on a surreal tour of a small community as they get to know their true selves in the height of a national emergency. With vividly drawn characters, and a strange and compelling narrative, this part body horror, part fairy tale novella marks Joanna Corrance as a writer to watch. I can’t wait to see what she does next.” – Sarah Pinborough
The Hamlet is available as a compact paperback (120 pages), an ebook, and a special A5 hardback edition (96 pages), limited to just 50 copies, each individually numbered and hand signed by the author.
Further Reading
For fans of horror literature, The Ginger Nuts of Horror website is an essential destination that should not be overlooked. This platform offers a dedicated horror book review section that caters specifically to the needs of horror enthusiasts. With its unique blend of insightful critiques, expert recommendations, and a vibrant community, the site serves as a treasure trove for anyone seeking their next spine-chilling read.
One of the standout features of the horror book review section is its diversity. Readers can discover everything from classic horror novels to contemporary indie gems, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Each review is thoughtfully penned, providing not just a summary but also a deep dive into the themes, writing style, and overall atmosphere of the works. This allows readers to gauge whether a particular book aligns with their preferences.
For those passionate about horror literature, checking out this section is a must!
Tony Jones