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A review by waytoomanybooks
The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a very sad, strange book, but I expected as much, knowing it is a Hamlet retelling though.
The story is told from a young boy’s perspective, which makes the plot even more depressing. The lack of punctuation is a bit tough to follow at first, but then you get used to it. Because this is a sad and strange tale experienced by a child in novel form, I think the sadness will stick with you more than it would after reading adult Hamlet's story in play form. This is definitely not a book to read if you’re feeling down because it really has almost every sad trope you can think of.
It gets points for some truly beautiful moments of prose and for nailing the way a child thinks, feels, and talks, which is consistently strong throughout.
I took points off for the total lack of punctuation and lack of resolution at the end, which runs counter to the original story. Even a depressing resolution, as in the original, is still a resolution. I think Phillip and his mom deserved that much.
The story is told from a young boy’s perspective, which makes the plot even more depressing. The lack of punctuation is a bit tough to follow at first, but then you get used to it. Because this is a sad and strange tale experienced by a child in novel form, I think the sadness will stick with you more than it would after reading adult Hamlet's story in play form. This is definitely not a book to read if you’re feeling down because it really has almost every sad trope you can think of.
It gets points for some truly beautiful moments of prose and for nailing the way a child thinks, feels, and talks, which is consistently strong throughout.
I took points off for the total lack of punctuation and lack of resolution at the end, which runs counter to the original story. Even a depressing resolution, as in the original, is still a resolution. I think Phillip and his mom deserved that much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism