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zefrog's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am not familiar with either St Aubyn or, shamefully, the original play, but I grew to enjoy this modern version of King Lear, part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, as a stand-alone exploration of redemption and the corrupting effects of absolute power. Although I can not comment on the book's value as a retelling, this is possibly the best way to approach the work.
For most of the it the narrative is divided between two points of view that eventually merge into a more cohesive plot line. On the one hand, Henry Dunbar, a Rupert Murdoch figure at the top of his power and the end of his life, finds himself in a snowy Lake District on a hallucinatory journey of self-discovery that leads to a recasting of who he is. On the other hand, his two evil daughters are trying to wrest his empire from him, while his estranged third daughter comes to his physical rescue.
The writing is matter of fact and simple, yet at times poetic, and draws the reader into the story, placing them in the uncomfortable position of sympathising with an unpleasant man and of even rooting for him.
The characters felt a little cartoonish and caricatural. This is possibly the comedic element mentioned by other reviewers that wasn't apparently to me.
I am glad that the book is short, as the Dunbar sections tend to be a little dull for their lack of much happening, and my interest was only really grabbed during the other sections, when something was actually happening. On the whole, I enjoyed this sufficiently however that I would be willing to read more of St Aubryn's stuff.
This is the sixth book of the series I have read (one more to go and another not yet published at this time).
For most of the it the narrative is divided between two points of view that eventually merge into a more cohesive plot line. On the one hand, Henry Dunbar, a Rupert Murdoch figure at the top of his power and the end of his life, finds himself in a snowy Lake District on a hallucinatory journey of self-discovery that leads to a recasting of who he is. On the other hand, his two evil daughters are trying to wrest his empire from him, while his estranged third daughter comes to his physical rescue.
The writing is matter of fact and simple, yet at times poetic, and draws the reader into the story, placing them in the uncomfortable position of sympathising with an unpleasant man and of even rooting for him.
The characters felt a little cartoonish and caricatural. This is possibly the comedic element mentioned by other reviewers that wasn't apparently to me.
I am glad that the book is short, as the Dunbar sections tend to be a little dull for their lack of much happening, and my interest was only really grabbed during the other sections, when something was actually happening. On the whole, I enjoyed this sufficiently however that I would be willing to read more of St Aubryn's stuff.
This is the sixth book of the series I have read (one more to go and another not yet published at this time).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
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