87 pages • 2 hours read
Margaret AtwoodHag-Seed: William Shakespeare's The Tempest Retold
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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
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 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.