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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
unsatisfied, sad, and now deeply introspective about religion, my beliefs, and literally everything!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a lot of words and a lot of unlikeable characters. it was funny though so there’s that.
thank you netgalley for the arc
thank you netgalley for the arc
Supposedly based on Shakespeare's Henry IV-Henry V plays, but that element doesn't extend much beyond the characters' names & a few brief appearances by characters named Falstaff and Poins. Really this book is about a gay, drug-addled young scion of the impoverished aristocracy (Hal) & his relationship with his abusive father (Henry). If you're interested in that sort of thing, Edward St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose novels would probably be a better bet.
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*
TW: drug abuse, body horror, pedophilia, sexual abuse, homophobia, eating disorder, injury/gore, rape,...
"Henry Henry" is supposed to be a Shakespeare retelling but I honestly did not realise that while reading it (shame on me I guess). The novel strongly reminded me of the Patrick Melrose novels: class, privilege, abuse by a father, drugs, uncertainty in young age, family responsibilities are at the core of both narratives.
Many reviews state that "Henry Henry" is supposed to be funny - I mostly did not think so, I found it tragic and disturbing. The novel is overly explicit, all characters are damaged, doomed or damaging and dooming themselves. All the characters were pretty f*cked and quite unlikeable. I found the ending especially disappointing.
Having said that: the book was not boring. It was well written and in parts quite entertaining. Other parts confused me, quite a lot of characters including the main protagonist I very much disliked, but I also pitied him.
What a mess. Life. Everything.
Anyhow. 3 stars
TW: drug abuse, body horror, pedophilia, sexual abuse, homophobia, eating disorder, injury/gore, rape,...
"Henry Henry" is supposed to be a Shakespeare retelling but I honestly did not realise that while reading it (shame on me I guess). The novel strongly reminded me of the Patrick Melrose novels: class, privilege, abuse by a father, drugs, uncertainty in young age, family responsibilities are at the core of both narratives.
Many reviews state that "Henry Henry" is supposed to be funny - I mostly did not think so, I found it tragic and disturbing. The novel is overly explicit, all characters are damaged, doomed or damaging and dooming themselves. All the characters were pretty f*cked and quite unlikeable. I found the ending especially disappointing.
Having said that: the book was not boring. It was well written and in parts quite entertaining. Other parts confused me, quite a lot of characters including the main protagonist I very much disliked, but I also pitied him.
What a mess. Life. Everything.
Anyhow. 3 stars
This was hard to read in parts. I am not usually a fan of books that make me sad; and while this certainly had its witty and enjoyable moments, there were times I found myself having to put it down for a few days till I could come back in a better headspace. That being said, I loved it. I found myself highlighting bits, things Hal would be thinking about; ideas that I've found hard to get a grasp on and he would offer it up in just the right way; like finding little nuggets of truth, a kind of freedom.
I usually delete books off my kindle immediately after reading them, but I feel the need to keep this one for a while.
I usually delete books off my kindle immediately after reading them, but I feel the need to keep this one for a while.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual content