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lit_laugh_luv 's review for:
Henry Henry
by Allen Bratton
Henry Henry is outside my typical comfort zone, but the premise (a modernized and queer Shakespearian retelling) caught my eye. We follow Hal Lancaster, the eldest son of the Duke of Lancaster. As the heir, Hal's life is one of obligation and duty, which he grows to resent. He's sardonic, spoiled, and generally an awful person - yet as you read more about his upbringing, he becomes much more sympathetic.
Bratton intricately builds a complex family dynamic between the Lancasters that's vaguely reminiscent of something from the classics (it particularly reminded me of [b:Anna Karenina|15823480|Anna Karenina|Leo Tolstoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546091617l/15823480._SX50_.jpg|2507928]). The generational divide between the Lancaster children and their father Henry is ever-growing and catalyzed by the modern world; many of the siblings reject tradition and begin to separate their feelings of love versus obligation. I really enjoyed Edward and Phillippa as characters.
Thematically, Henry Henry tackles themes similar to [b:A Little Life|22822858|A Little Life|Hanya Yanagihara|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1446469353l/22822858._SY75_.jpg|42375710]. As a gay man, Hal is burdened by shame and the juxtaposition of his lifestyle against his religious beliefs. Religion is constantly weaponized against Hal to perpetuate cycles of abuse and as the narrative unfolds, we trace through the Lancaster family tree and see some interesting parallels to previous generations.
My main critique of the book is the ending - I didn't feel like I required a concrete sense of finality in a book like this, but it feels abrupt. It was on track for a solid 5 stars, but by the 90% mark, I was weary of how much plot was left unexplored and how few pages were left. The only rationale I have behind this decision is the potential for a sequel, which seems unlikely? Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this for what it was, and Bratton is a great writer I'll definitely read from again.
Thank you to Unnamed Press for sending me an ARC of this; I wasn't the speediest with getting this read, but better late than never!
Bratton intricately builds a complex family dynamic between the Lancasters that's vaguely reminiscent of something from the classics (it particularly reminded me of [b:Anna Karenina|15823480|Anna Karenina|Leo Tolstoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546091617l/15823480._SX50_.jpg|2507928]). The generational divide between the Lancaster children and their father Henry is ever-growing and catalyzed by the modern world; many of the siblings reject tradition and begin to separate their feelings of love versus obligation. I really enjoyed Edward and Phillippa as characters.
Thematically, Henry Henry tackles themes similar to [b:A Little Life|22822858|A Little Life|Hanya Yanagihara|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1446469353l/22822858._SY75_.jpg|42375710]. As a gay man, Hal is burdened by shame and the juxtaposition of his lifestyle against his religious beliefs. Religion is constantly weaponized against Hal to perpetuate cycles of abuse and as the narrative unfolds, we trace through the Lancaster family tree and see some interesting parallels to previous generations.
My main critique of the book is the ending - I didn't feel like I required a concrete sense of finality in a book like this, but it feels abrupt. It was on track for a solid 5 stars, but by the 90% mark, I was weary of how much plot was left unexplored and how few pages were left. The only rationale I have behind this decision is the potential for a sequel, which seems unlikely? Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this for what it was, and Bratton is a great writer I'll definitely read from again.
Thank you to Unnamed Press for sending me an ARC of this; I wasn't the speediest with getting this read, but better late than never!