Reviews

La Semilla de la Bruja / Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood

corinnab953's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

barbiereads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

sam_is_reading's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Re-read 2024 as part of Bros Book Club.

I enjoyed this just as much as I did the first time! The Tempest is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays and Margaret Atwood is without a doubt one of the most talented writers alive today. This retelling is unique, intelligent, and fun. 

leila_riley's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ismemestar's review against another edition

4.0

Powerful retelling that opens up many of the questions of the play itself to reexamination. The dialogue didn't always read as authentic to me, but when it worked, it worked. Would suggest reading this after having read The Tempest, or it could work well in a classroom setting in tandem. Wouldn't suggest going into it cold without having read/seen the play as there are a lot of plot and characterization elements that are richer with the added layer. Always interesting to approach this play from the perspective of someone who studies the Milan and Naples that Shakespeare was riffing off of. Miranda is very well done, though the ending bothers me in an unsettling kind of way. A fast read.

strawberrie_jam's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. The beginning was awful but once it got into the prison part it was actually really fun. The plot really pulled me along; I wanted to see what would happen. The inmates were all characterised really well and I cared about them. I think Atwood did a very good job of unpacking The Tempest from a contemporary perspective, and effectively explored issues such as colonialism, slavery and land rights. Also addressed sexism, climate change, and corruption in industry and politics. I thought it was actually quite a lot better than the actual Tempest because it was very self-aware and actively non-elitest. Overall a very successful piece of work

aimeesue's review against another edition

4.0

I adore Atwood's novels and this one was no exception. Quite clever, actually, setting a performance of The Tempest -which is just full of characters being imprisioned in various ways - in a prison. Some of the other Tempest- echoing elements don't work quite as well, but overall it's great fun.

ameliawarren's review against another edition

5.0

really good book. it’s a retelling of the tempest and i was able to understand and make everything connect even though i’ve never read the tempest. would recommend to EVERYONE

buchweiser's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, das ist nicht *eine* Interpretation von Skakespeares "Der Sturm", das sind gleich mehrere! Ich bin total begeistert von der Idee und der großartigen Umsetzung und werde das Buch auf jeden Fall noch einmal lesen, schon allein, weil die Charaktere sehr liebenswert und schräg sind.

ellioth_mess's review

1.0

Malísimo. Inverosímil, con personajes recontra planos y situaciones tomadas de los pelos. Cero profundidad con momentos hiper trillados y un plan de venganza que no tiene ningún sentido. La mejor parte es la portada.