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megamog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Violence, Alcohol, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
readingwithkelsey's review against another edition
3.0
I am certainly conflicted about this book because usually, I love when author's pay an homage to Shakespeare's works but in this Hamlet retelling, the plot fell a little flat. I think the aspect of avenging ones father through killing others only really works when one does not understand the overall judicial system of 16th century Denmark (which I do not). In the setting of modern UK, I think this concept falls a little flat. I did really enjoy Philip as a main character; I think his conflicted feelings towards his father's death and his uncle's insertion into the family were entirely valid. Additionally, because it is told in Philip's voice, I loved the way the prose was written. The entire book is written as though Philip is just telling it to use - this means no quotation marks when people are speaking and correct grammar is out the window and I felt like this was a really unique aspect of the novel. I felt inside Philip's head which is exactly what was needed for readers so we may believe Philip and his thoughts concerning his father's death. I believe the rest of the story was just too bizarre for me to fully get into.
I also really hated the ending of the novel. I feel as though Philip was learning his lesson and moving forward from his father's death and then once again, Haig throws in this really weird and random final nail in the coffin which annoyed me in The Last Family in England and annoyed me here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
sophiemundy13's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
the grammar of this book was such a turn-off, but we proceeded nonetheless!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident and Cursing
thelovelylibrarylady's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
As a modern take on Shakespeare's Hamlet, Haig's novel The Dead Fathers Club was disappointing. Yes, it stayed pretty true to the play, but the execution was just bad. The book is told from the perspective of Philip, an eleven-year-old boy whose father has recently passed away. Personally, I am not a huge fan of adult novels with narration from children. It made the book feel more juvenile than what is appropriate for the topic matter. In addition to this, the ending left me confused. I am not one to complain about cliffhangers on standalone titles, but I do think there is a proper way to do them, such as leaving enough information for the reader to be able to make their own guesses as to what happens next. Overall, I would not recommend this title for the reasons stated above.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
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