Scan barcode
cchipmunck's review against another edition
3.0
Forgot about this whole good reads business.
Tempest retelling meets modern tempest?
Tempest retelling meets modern tempest?
ionarangeley's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tarrowood's review against another edition
5.0
Atwood puts an impressive spin on a modern retelling of The Tempest. Within the story there are hidden meanings within hidden meanings. The minutest of details are arranged so as to compel the reader that they are witnessing an actual Tempest today.
rballenger's review against another edition
4.0
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: I enjoy Margaret Atwood and Hagseed has been on my TBR list for quite some time.
Overall rating: Hagseed is an adaptation of a somewhat clunky and less accessible classic - The Tempest (Sorry, William!). I love how Atwood approached this retelling while keeping their own story front and center. I'm not sure how the printed copy is set up, but I do think that portions of this book would have benefitted greatly from being read in print. There are some lists and information that I can envision on the page better than I can take in a lengthy list audibly. However, I did not find this to be truly inhibitive to my enjoyment of the book. I thought the cadence and timing of the book were appropriate without being drawn out, especially since there are portions where you're spanning years and others where it's mere minutes. The presence of Felix's Miranda and the setting of the correctional institute make Hagseed the perfect amount of haunting and rough around the edges.
Recommended Read? Yes.
Reader's Note: I enjoyed Hag-Seed as an audiobook narrated by R.H. Thomson and they were absolutely fabulous. I would purposely seek out books narrated by them in the future.
What made me pick it up: I enjoy Margaret Atwood and Hagseed has been on my TBR list for quite some time.
Overall rating: Hagseed is an adaptation of a somewhat clunky and less accessible classic - The Tempest (Sorry, William!). I love how Atwood approached this retelling while keeping their own story front and center. I'm not sure how the printed copy is set up, but I do think that portions of this book would have benefitted greatly from being read in print. There are some lists and information that I can envision on the page better than I can take in a lengthy list audibly. However, I did not find this to be truly inhibitive to my enjoyment of the book. I thought the cadence and timing of the book were appropriate without being drawn out, especially since there are portions where you're spanning years and others where it's mere minutes. The presence of Felix's Miranda and the setting of the correctional institute make Hagseed the perfect amount of haunting and rough around the edges.
Recommended Read? Yes.
Reader's Note: I enjoyed Hag-Seed as an audiobook narrated by R.H. Thomson and they were absolutely fabulous. I would purposely seek out books narrated by them in the future.
ketutar's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed it immensely. She made a good job with the parallels between the play and the "reality", on so many levels.
howtobebooks's review against another edition
5.0
As a fan of Margaret Atwood I was looking forward to this book but it exceeded my expectations.
Having performed The Tempest as a child, it was an incredibly innovative approach to tell a completely modern story but using an old Shakespearean plot, while describing the play itself. Not only did it highlight Atwood's ingenuity, it also showed how relevant Shakespeare continues to be. The revenge itself was brilliant and extremely fulfilling - as well completely unexpected.
Be prepared for long explanations into The Tempest - it might be boring for those who aren't a fan. It definitely felt like studying it all over again but with a fresh perspective.
Having performed The Tempest as a child, it was an incredibly innovative approach to tell a completely modern story but using an old Shakespearean plot, while describing the play itself. Not only did it highlight Atwood's ingenuity, it also showed how relevant Shakespeare continues to be. The revenge itself was brilliant and extremely fulfilling - as well completely unexpected.
Be prepared for long explanations into The Tempest - it might be boring for those who aren't a fan. It definitely felt like studying it all over again but with a fresh perspective.
lara16's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thetombreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jesslolsen's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been a while since I read or watched a tempest, so I got a bit confused reading this trying to match up who was who, but it eventually clicked in place. The ending helped clarify and align to the original.
I thought this was cleverly done to make it fit a modern setting - it was a play within a play about a play.
I thought this was cleverly done to make it fit a modern setting - it was a play within a play about a play.