A review by toffishay
King Lear by William Shakespeare

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I read King Lear because I am a HUGE fan of Succession! Now that the fourth and final season of that show has started, I wanted to read one of the big inspirations for the story. I enjoyed the drama and tragedy of King Lear and those around him. King Lear is such a specific male archetype, acting out this strong leader, but ultimately creating the circumstances of his own demise. The female characters are interested and I would have liked more of them. Cordelia is kind, but we don't end up knowing a lot about her. Regan and Goneril are more involved in the story and it is fun to watch their villainy (even if some of it is tied to fighting over the same guy...). It's a really engaging read and this edition makes it easier to understand the parts that are more confusing.
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