2.56k reviews for:

King Lear

William Shakespeare

3.78 AVERAGE

emcrafting's review against another edition

2.0

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I just described this play to my roommate as "a bunch of family drama that will bore you to death until it bores all of the characters into killing each other and then it's finally over and you're free"

laurie27's review against another edition

4.0

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Shakespeare is one of those authors whose works I need to read multiple times and have discussions about for me to really understand and appreciate as it deserves. I did enjoy a play about parent-child love and loyalty, as it's not the norm. Also, though reading Shakespeare is challenging and makes me re-read passages several times (and look at the commentary), I like that it makes me think. I need to pester my husband to read this next so we can chat...

sonnet155's review against another edition

3.5

dark

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

arwyn_1926's review against another edition

4.0

dark funny tense medium-paced

addiemccut's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mikaelabee's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional tense 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

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Not my favourite of Shakespeare’s plays but a really engaging read. I loved the parallels between Lear and Gloucester and the symbolism of blindness and disease throughout. Similar to Hamlet, I like that Shakespeare constructs a realism with his characters in that they are somewhat redeemed but still completely fallible. 

moonchiichii_'s review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jadziaaudrey's review against another edition

3.0

dark tense fast-paced

hayaahassan's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-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

autumnnovels's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark medium-paced