'Something Rotten' by Andrew Lipstein explores deceit and masculinity

Andrew Lipstein’s latest novel reimagines Hamlet’s themes in a modern setting.

Illustration by Febrina Tiara

By Novanka Laras and Adelina Indah

Something Rotten, by Andrew Lipstein

Andrew Lipstein’s third novel, Something Rotten, takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s Hamlet but delivers an entirely original story set in a near-future Denmark. This literary thriller explores themes of deception, morality, and masculinity, all wrapped in a narrative that blurs the line between truth and self-delusion.

The novel follows Reuben and Cecilie, a Brooklyn-based journalist couple in their forties, who relocate to Copenhagen with their newborn son for Cecilie’s parental leave. Their move is not just about taking time off—it is a desperate escape from a public scandal.

Reuben, once a respected NPR journalist, has been disgraced after an embarrassing mishap during a Zoom call. His career is in ruins, and strangers mock him in public. Cecilie, a journalist at The New York Times, faces professional and social fallout due to the scandal. Together, they hope that Denmark will offer them a fresh start.

A troubling encounter in Denmark

While Denmark’s picturesque streets and progressive social structures seem like an ideal refuge, it soon becomes clear that something is deeply wrong. Cecilie’s ex-boyfriend, Jonas, is terminally ill with a brain condition. His trusted confidant, Mikkel, a fellow journalist, has inexplicably advised him against life-saving treatment. Mikkel’s motivations remain unclear, but his growing influence over Jonas raises suspicions.

As Cecilie tries to intervene, Reuben finds himself strangely drawn to Mikkel. Initially an observer, Reuben soon falls under Mikkel’s sway, captivated by his confidence and unconventional worldview. A night of heavy drinking with Mikkel and his friends marks a turning point. Reuben wakes up with a reckless new mindset—one that challenges everything he once believed about morality and masculinity.

The allure of toxic mentorship

Mikkel is both charismatic and dangerous. He challenges Reuben’s progressive ideals, urging him to abandon what he derisively calls “virtue signaling.” Under Mikkel’s influence, Reuben begins to question his identity. Once a champion of liberal values, he now views his past self as weak and performative.

Mikkel’s influence extends beyond personal transformation. When he publishes an explosive report exposing a conservative politician as a pedophile, Reuben is forced to reconcile his admiration for Mikkel with the man’s troubling ethics. Can someone be both morally corrupt and a force for justice? The novel masterfully plays with this tension, forcing Reuben—and the reader—to navigate a morally ambiguous landscape.

A journalist in crisis

Reuben’s crisis of identity culminates in a misguided project: an audio documentary on masculinity. He frames it as an exploration of cultural differences, but it is clear that his interest is deeply personal. He is searching for meaning, attempting to justify his shifting beliefs while grappling with Mikkel’s growing control over his worldview.

Lipstein, known for his incisive portrayals of morally conflicted protagonists in Last Resort and The Vegan, presents Reuben as a man trapped in his own introspection. His internal debates range from existential musings to borderline absurd conclusions, such as his belief that political ideologies are mere counterweights in a meaningless system.

A novel built on deception

At its core, Something Rotten is a novel about lies—both the ones we tell others and the ones we tell ourselves. As Reuben and Cecilie attempt to unravel Mikkel’s motives, they are forced to confront their own deceptions. The book thrives on unexpected twists, leading to a conclusion that mirrors Hamlet’s themes of betrayal and existential reckoning.

When Reuben finally declares, “I’m just going to be true to myself,” the statement is as layered and ironic as Polonius’s famous advice in Hamlet: “To thine own self be true.” Is Reuben’s transformation a revelation or a descent into self-deception?

Fathers, sons, and the weight of legacy

The novel’s exploration of fatherhood adds another layer of complexity. The name Reuben means “behold, a son,” and Lipstein plays with this symbolism throughout the novel. Reuben’s absent father looms over his life, while Mikkel assumes a twisted mentor role. Meanwhile, Jonas—who depends on Mikkel for guidance—faces his own existential crisis.

Even the book’s cover, featuring a crying infant, invites multiple interpretations. It could represent Reuben and Cecilie’s son, the next generation caught in the web of moral ambiguity. It could symbolize Reuben’s own rebirth under Mikkel’s influence. Or it could reflect humanity itself—vulnerable, self-absorbed, and oblivious to the chaos ahead.

A brilliant literary puzzle

With Something Rotten, Andrew Lipstein delivers a sharp, thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to question their own perceptions of truth and virtue. The novel’s blend of psychological drama, political intrigue, and literary homage makes it an exhilarating read.

Like Hamlet, it leaves us pondering the nature of reality and the limits of self-awareness. Lipstein’s ability to weave humor, tension, and philosophical depth into a modern narrative ensures that Something Rotten is both an entertaining and intellectually rewarding novel.