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Dunbar
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
41 posts | 24 read | 50 to read
Edward St. Aubyn, "perhaps the most brilliant novelist of his generation" (Alan Hollinghurst), author of the internationally acclaimed Patrick Melrose novels, gives us his own great King Lear, a sharp, satirical, outrageously entertaining novel of loyalty, betrayal, corporate greed, and the wisdom that shines through the accumulating indignities of age. I really did have an empire, you know,' said Dunbar. 'Have I ever told you the story of how it was stolen from me? Henry Dunbar, the once all-powerful head of a global media corporation, is not having a good day. In his dotage he hands over care of the corporation to his two eldest daughters, Abby and Megan, but as relations sour he starts to doubt the wisdom of past decisions... Now imprisoned in a care home in the Lake District with only a demented alcoholic comedian as company, Dunbar starts planning his escape. As he flees into the hills, his family is hot on his heels. But who will find him first, his beloved youngest daughter, Florence, or the tigresses Abby and Megan, so keen to divest him of his estate? Edward St Aubyn is renowned for his masterwork, the five Melrose novels, which dissect with savage and beautiful precision the agonies of family life. His take on King Lear, Shakespeare's most devastating family story, is an excoriating novel for and of our times--an examination of power, money and the value of forgiveness.
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review
HeathHof
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

It's afternoon sleepy time so I got to finish up the final book of #lmpbc round twelve to the sounds of one snoring and one purring😅 I really enjoyed this retelling even though I'm not familiar with King Lear. Good pick! @LiteraryinLawrence @Hestapleton @staci.reads
Popping this one in the mail tomorrow 📬

LiteraryinPA It‘s here, it‘s here! Thanks! 3y
HeathHof @sprainedbrain Did your book make it back to you ? 3y
sprainedbrain Yes! It was in my mailbox today😃 3y
55 likes5 comments
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HeathHof
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Up next. All settled in with my little buddy to start the final book for the last round of #lmpbc
@staci.reads @Hestapleton @LiteraryinLawrence
#lmpbc
#20in4
@Andrew65

LiteraryinPA Faceplant! 3y
Andrew65 Looks good. 3y
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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staci.reads
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

Hannah, both books arrived over the weekend! I've made it through Dunbar - what an interesting take on Shakespeare's King Lear! I'm only somewhat familiar with the play, but this retelling had all the classic Shakespearean elements. Thanks for choosing this one, Allison. Heather, I'll try to get it in the mail tomorrow. #LMPBC #groupV @Mynameisacolour @LiteraryinLawrence @Hestapleton

Hestapleton Agreed! It felt very Shakespearean! 3y
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LiteraryinPA
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Hi to my group mates from #lmpbc! Here are some options for my book for our literary fiction round. The grey cover that‘s hard to read is the tagged book. Let me know your thoughts! @staci.reads @Hestapleton @Mynameisacolour

See All 14 Comments
staci.reads I have read The Invention of Wings, Go Set a Watchman, and Rules of Civility - all excellent reads! I'm good with any of the others. A Tale for the Time Being looks really good. 3y
Hestapleton I‘ve read Go Set a Watchman and the Ozeki (though I‘m more than fine with rereading that one). Dunbar is probably my top choice! 3y
HeathHof I've read Go Set A Watchman and am good with any of the others. 3y
LiteraryinPA Ok, so between Dunbar and the Ozeki, can you each let me know your preference? Thanks! @Mynameisacolour @staci.reads @Hestapleton 3y
Hestapleton @LiteraryinLititz Dunbar is my first choice. 3y
staci.reads I'm good with either. 3y
Hestapleton @LiteraryinLawrence hope the move is going well! Did you ship DUNBAR out? Wanted to see if it was lost in the mail or not. :) 3y
LiteraryinPA @Hestapleton Not yet. I‘m so sorry! I‘m aiming for this weekend. Thanks for the good wishes. The new job and town are great even though it‘s been super hectic. 3y
Hestapleton @LiteraryinLawrence no worries at all! Moving is the WORST and I hope the adjustment continues to go well. Lots of good change! 3y
68 likes14 comments
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jouleian
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have to admit this book was very well written, the characters very believable, and captivating for such a short book. If only all Shakespeare was rewritten this way. #recommended #litsy #shakespeare #kinglear #dunbar

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jouleian
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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New in. A King Lear adaptation, it got bangin reviews and for $4.00 you can‘t beat it! #litsy #kinglear

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thecurlybookworm
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Read another 50ish minutes to finish the last 30ish pages of Dunbar. People kept talking to me & I also had to look up quite a few words so took me longer than I had hoped! #24in48

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thecurlybookworm
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Hag-Seed was the first book I had heard of from these series, although at the time I just knew it was a retelling of The Tempest by Margaret Atwood, not that it was part of a Shakespeare-retelling series.

Stumbled across an ARC of this one at work a year or so ago—a retelling of King Lear. Love the cover! So far really enjoying the writing style & identifying the similarities/differences to the source material.

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Emilymdxn
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

A qualified pick - I really enjoyed it but for Lear retellings I have to compare it to We That Are Young by Preti Taneja which I liked a lot more. This was quite short which meant it was punchy but the whole beginning, whole end and several subplots were deleted, and I felt like the drugs and sadist sex were a bit ‘guys I‘m making Shakespeare edgy‘. Overall beautiful writing, particularly the storm and Lear at the end, and a lot to like

Emilymdxn If anyone‘s interested I really recommend this other retelling of King Lear by an Indian author set in modern day India 5y
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daniwithtea
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

One of the best Shakespeare retellings I‘ve ever encountered. The audiobook was particularly spectacular, and really gave the ‘madness‘ a life of its own.

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daniwithtea
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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I am absolutely loving this retelling of King Lear. The twist on the original is very well-done, and the narrator is spectacular.

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Nitpickyabouttrains
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

King Lear retold. I love these Hogarth Shakespeares and this one lived up to the rest of the series.

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tina_b.ooks
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

"Dunbar" is Edward St.Aubyn's modern interpretation of Shakespeare's "King Lear".
The story about the former media mogul Henry Dunbar and his ambitious daughters is tragic and dark to a point where it almost becomes hilarious.

"Dunbar" is part of the amazing Hogarth Shakespeare project, a series of Shakespeare plays retold by renowned authors such as Margaret Atwood, Jo Nesbo, etc.
http://hogarthshakespeare.com

ju.ca.no Havn‘t heard of the project yet! Sounds interesting😍 6y
Heideschrampf Awesome! I‘ve read the Howard Jacobson 6y
rather_be_reading welcome to litsy!! 📚🎃📚 @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
Nute Welcome to Litsy! I know that you will enjoy yourself here and make many friends. It‘s a fun and warm community. Looking forward to getting to know you.🙂 6y
13 likes4 comments
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ladyonequestion
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

A re-telling, updated version of King Lear. Dunbar is a multi millionaire who has been sent to something between rehab and an exclusive sanitarium by his evil daughters who want to wrest his business away from him. It's good, but at the same time it's hampered by the material it's based on. Love the play but I think it works better as a play than a novel. The character of Lear is great, but the daughters are a bit panto villain!

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ladyonequestion
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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As if I am not already reading enough...
#mtbr 🏔️

keys_on_fire I saw this title and immediately thought of the scene from Dances with Wolves where John Dunbar is trying to teach them how to pronounce his name 😊 6y
33 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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I got my #LMPBC selection back yesterday. I love looking through and reading everyone's comments and seeing what stood out to you guys! I'm excited for round two (still trying to make a final book decision).

@DebbieGrillo @CouronneDhiver @drokka

CouronneDhiver Woohoo! 7y
drokka I'm looking forward to reading all your comments as well. And, I'm rethinking what to use for the next round. Now that we've gone off on our own, we need a name. Thoughts? @CouronneDhiver @DebbieGrillo 7y
TheKidUpstairs @drokka a couple Canadian themed book club name ideas: Dominion of Literary Ladies; Reader Beavers; Poutine and Paperbacks.... @CouronneDhiver @DebbieGrillo 7y
DebbieGrillo Poutine and Paperbacks sounds fun! 7y
76 likes5 comments
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DebbieGrillo
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

This is a modern day re-imagining of Shakespeare's King Lear as a famous Canadian media mogule. I had a difficult time in the beginning and zero sympathy for Dunbar. He seemed to be in a mess of his own making. However, the author redeems himself and draws my attention through his philosophical prose and the twists and turns in the plot. Book 2 finished during #24in48

KathyWheeler That fits with Lear then. I had zero sympathy for him at first because he created all that mess in the first place. 7y
cornfedwellread Sounds interesting! I'm all for Shakespeare retellings. 7y
Augustdana Had this come available at the library at a bad time with too many others, and I had to decline it. Looks like I‘m gonna put it back on my holds list. 7y
115 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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DebbieGrillo
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Checking in at lunch time. I'm only three hours in and I've finished Bellevue Square and moved onto my last #LMPBC book. Just stopping to ward off the hunger with some leftover homemade mac and cheese. #literarylunch #24in48

Lacythebookworm Yummy! 😋 7y
136 likes1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Now that I've received the last, round 4, book of #LMPBC from #GroupW I think it's safe to post, as there are no more secrets. Thanks to @drokka for getting this to me so quickly so I can read it and send it on its way before I go on vacation. And for the treat to enjoy while reading. @TheKidUpstairs this looks like a great pick. Maybe everyone in our group could post the final book when it arrives? @CouronneDhiver

drokka I hadn't heard of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. I really enjoyed this pick. 7y
DebbieGrillo @drokka I haven't heard of it either. Can't wait to dig in. 7y
CouronneDhiver I thought this one was pretty good too! :) Excited for the big reveals. 🙌🏽🙌🏽 7y
Steph_EE I‘ve been drip feeding these to my dad as presents. Can‘t wait until he lends them back to me 😁 7y
97 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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MrBook
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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#TBRtemptation post 2! Henry Dunbar as once head of an all-powerful global corporation. He handed the family firm over to two of his daughters, Abby and Megan, at which point relations with them quickly soured. Now he's imprisoned in a care home with a demented alcoholic comedian for company, and he plans his escape. When he does, many are quick in pursuit, but who will catch him first? A modern take on "King Lear". #blameLitsy #blameMrBook ?

CouronneDhiver I read this recently and enjoyed it 😊 7y
90 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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allison_tx
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

This was a interesting modern retelling of King Lear, in which a billionaire media mogul hands control of his company to his two oldest daughters. He's determined to reinstate himself and be reconciled to his estranged but beloved youngest daughter. Part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series.

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allison_tx
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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One of the best things about the #library is that you can get books on a whim for free!

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Lauren.Archer
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
Pickpick

This book blew me away. The take on King Lear was completely engaging. I won‘t like it will break your heart, but such a poignant retelling.

76 likes2 stack adds
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Lauren.Archer
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Interested in this retelling no of King Lear.

vivastory I've heard great things about this one. On my 2018 TBR 7y
HannaPolkadots Haven't heard about this one, but love the author so definitely going on my tbr!😁 7y
BekaReid This looks interesting, and I like the cover. 7y
Misanthropester I enjoyed it but it did have a kind of a cinematic quality 7y
parasolofdoom I wasn't that interested in the summary but love King Lear so it's on the tbr 7y
98 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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AvidReader25
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

This retelling of King Lear is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. A wealthy capitalist, Dunbar, is locked away in a sanatorium by his devious daughters, Abigail & Megan. They conspire to control his fortune while his youngest disinherited daughter, Florence, tries to rescue him. From the evil Megan to Peter, a fellow patient in the mental hospital, who speaks in impersonations, the characters are unforgettable. A good addition to the series.

26 likes2 stack adds
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BookishTrish
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Evening reading view

Jabberwocky I'm genuinely concerned that my children won't love books and stories as much as I do 😅 Hopefully if I just never stop reading to them they'll get to this level? 7y
kspenmoll 😍 7y
See All 15 Comments
BookishTrish @Jaberwocky My oldest (not pictured) was read too like crazy and simply isn't much of a bookworm and it's tough when you realize your passion simply isn't shared. Fortunately the other too are bookwormy like their mama 7y
merelybookish I'm sitting in that exact chair. But not in that position! 😛 7y
BookishTrish @merelybookish I'm not sure I could safely get out of that position... 7y
WarpedSweetness @Jaberwocky I read to all three of my kids and always buy them books and they are not as interested in reading as I am. I just keep buying books and hope one day they'll be in love with reading like me. Lol @BookishTrish I don't think could safely get into that position. Lol How is she comfortable? 7y
BookishTrish @WarpedSweetness I'm thinking it's a mix of core strength and pure stubbornness 7y
britt_brooke Love this! 7y
Smrloomis Awesome! 7y
Cinfhen 😍😍🙌🏻 7y
Nebklvr Too cute 7y
Iamlisa22 Oooo to be young again! I could do it !! But I‘m sure I‘d pull muscles I didn‘t know existed lol 7y
mariaku21 I think my arms would fall asleep in that position... guess I'll have to try it to see! 7y
dragondrool I could've done that easily a long, long time ago. There would not be enough muscle relaxants in the world to untangle me if I tried it now. And the headache from the blood rushing would be brutal! 😂 7y
90 likes1 stack add15 comments
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Pruzy
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

I have never read King Lear and only had a vague notion of the plot before reading this modern retelling. Lear is recast as a retired Canadian news-media mogul attempting to thwart a take-over of his company. This book is extremely short at just over 200 pages so to say more would risk ruining it. There are moments of wonderful turns of phrase, but there are also some equally clunky sentences.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk I love a good Shakespeare remix. 7y
Pruzy @TobeyTheScavengerMonk Hogarth Shakespeare is awesome! 7y
85 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Pruzy
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Saturday night! Let‘s get crazy! Selfie with my current read Dunbar by St. Aubyn. #selfienotashelfie

LeahBergen It looks as crazy as MY Saturday night. 😆 7y
DarcysMom My crazy Saturday night included falling asleep on the couch with my book on my chest. #ipartyhard 🤣🤣 7y
Laura317 I went wild on Saturday night. I partied, I mean, went to bookstores. #ipartiedharder 7y
Kaye And I thought I was the only one who fell asleep on Saturday night reading a book. Guess I‘m in good company here. 7y
84 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Pruzy
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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And less than a week after I learned about Dunbar by Edward St. Aubyn it‘s my next read. It‘s a retelling of King Lear in the Hogarth Shakespeare series of modern retellings.

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Pruzy
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Is anyone else as excited as I am for the newest Hogarth Shakespeare retelling of King Lear? Dunbar by Edward St. Aubyn about a Canadian media mogul as a King Lear type of character seems like an awesome idea. I really enjoyed Margaret Atwood‘s retelling of The Tempest, Hag-seed

Celeste57 I loved Hag-Seed, so I just added this to my TBR. Thanks for pointing it out! 7y
Pruzy @Celeste57 Fingers crossed it is just as good! 7y
batsy Have you read other books by St. Aubyn? His is a name I've come across a lot but haven't read. 7y
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Pruzy @batsy No I haven‘t, what have you heard? 7y
batsy I've read people praising his Patrick Melrose novels, but that's the extent I know of him. 7y
azulaco Ooh, yes! Sounds good! 7y
61 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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rachel_mbc
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Spending the morning in a coffee shop reading the paper, and this quote from an Edward St. Aubyn interview jumped out at me: "This is the miracle of reading, it's a collaborative enterprise. The text merges with the imagination and experience of the reader and becomes something slightly different in every mind."

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jadoogan
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Love these Hogarth Shakespeares.

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Misanthropester
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Pickpick

Not as strong as Atwood's contribution to the series, but definitely a quality take on Lear. The demons are Dunbar's daughters are pristine in their wickedness. I'm less interested in the rather dull masculinity Dunbar/Lear represents but it makes for an interesting lens through which to understand the under wealthy families that dominate western cultural

Misanthropester I suspect Winterson's contribution to this series will be the best in quality 7y
10 likes1 comment
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Misanthropester
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Quality ending

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Misanthropester
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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#trope: The survivalist will of the white male alpha

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Misanthropester
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Dunbar, Lear in this telling, is a sort of Rupert Murdoch caricature but here I couldn't help but see the insecurity of 45

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Misanthropester
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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The malaise of the ultra rich makes for Shakespearean drama--this retelling of King Lear starts off quite well

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Misanthropester
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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Today's #bookmail is a Goodreads giveaway win

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ChantelMcCray
Dunbar | Edward St. Aubyn
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How is this the first I've heard of this? #hogarthpress series of modern re-tellings of Shakespeare's plays in novel form! Many of these have already been released. St Aubyn's re-telling of King Lear to be released in October. Can't wait to dig in to this series when I take a course on Shakespeare in the Fall.

MrBook It's a very popular series 😁👏🏻. 7y
6 likes1 comment