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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am still digesting this book. Nothing in this novel feels wrapped up neatly. It feels more honest. More true to life. Hal doesn’t get to tell the entire truth, he doesn’t keep the boy, he isn’t given a sort of justice. He just goes on. It is an incredible book of imperfect characters and complex relationships.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Not at all what I expected but exactly what was needed. Such a hard and emotional book but wonderfully done!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of HENRY HENRY by Allen Bratton. Because I wanted to offer a fair review, I kept reading even though around the 33% mark I had an urge to DNF.
I really wanted to enjoy this novel more, being a queer twist on Shakespeare (the Henriad series of plays), set in England (one of my favorite settings for novels). The plot focuses on Hal Lancaster, son and heir to Henry, Duke of Lancaster. Recently graduated from college, Hal floats between friendships, hookups, almost-loves, and drug-fueled benders in search of his purpose in the face of a lifetime of sexual and emotional abuse (trigger warnings abound).
Though based on the classics, this is one of those contemporary novels that relies on the atmosphere of drugs and sex and shock value for its “punch,” but which neglects its characters’ inner lives as a result. Though we as readers obviously feel Hal’s pain because of his experiences, especially with his father Henry (perhaps the closest to a fully-developed supporting character), we don’t get enough insight into his inner life for the book’s events to truly have emotional weight.
*spoiler* When Hal and one of his peers come together and form an unlikely bond, my affection for both Hal and this book rose accordingly. But unfortunately, this subplot is never properly resolved or explored.
I enjoyed some of the writing in this book, and reading it felt conversational enough that I always had my bearings as a reader within the world of the novel. I just wish that, in terms of what was there in that world, there was a little more there there, to borrow the echo effect of the novel’s title.
I really wanted to enjoy this novel more, being a queer twist on Shakespeare (the Henriad series of plays), set in England (one of my favorite settings for novels). The plot focuses on Hal Lancaster, son and heir to Henry, Duke of Lancaster. Recently graduated from college, Hal floats between friendships, hookups, almost-loves, and drug-fueled benders in search of his purpose in the face of a lifetime of sexual and emotional abuse (trigger warnings abound).
Though based on the classics, this is one of those contemporary novels that relies on the atmosphere of drugs and sex and shock value for its “punch,” but which neglects its characters’ inner lives as a result. Though we as readers obviously feel Hal’s pain because of his experiences, especially with his father Henry (perhaps the closest to a fully-developed supporting character), we don’t get enough insight into his inner life for the book’s events to truly have emotional weight.
*spoiler* When Hal and one of his peers come together and form an unlikely bond, my affection for both Hal and this book rose accordingly. But unfortunately, this subplot is never properly resolved or explored.
I enjoyed some of the writing in this book, and reading it felt conversational enough that I always had my bearings as a reader within the world of the novel. I just wish that, in terms of what was there in that world, there was a little more there there, to borrow the echo effect of the novel’s title.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
22-year-old Hal Lancaster is aimless, gay, Catholic, addicted to cocaine, and the heir to a dukedom in this 21st century retelling of Shakespeare’s Henriad.
This book was made for me in a lab. Gay, messy, terrible rich people doing terrible things to one another but ultimately coming out on the other side a little more healed? That’s, like, my calling card. So I was overjoyed when Henry Henrycame off hold just in time for my most intense packing phase of moving out of my apartment. I’ve been looking forward to this book since Brandon Taylor raved about it on Twitter, and it did not disappoint!! Bratton (in Hal’s first person limited) has a clear, charming voice, and I was particularly impressed by his ability to write a trauma plot book that is neither maudlin nor self-serious. Sometimes I wish we got a little more depth from Hal in regards to his relationship with Henry Percy, but otherwise this was a great read. 4 out of 5 hunting accidents!
dark
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
A lot of Catholic Guilt.
Really lovely writing, although subject matter sometimes hard to get through. Occasionally hard to figure out who’s speaking.
Really lovely writing, although subject matter sometimes hard to get through. Occasionally hard to figure out who’s speaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Vomit
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
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:
Yes