Nevertheless, he is thrust into the field when a local physician encounters a farm family being poisoned by arsenic. The doctor and the sheriff, a boyhood friend, believe that the deputy has the requisite background to solve this case. Reluctantly, he pursues an investigation into the matter. The Dunbar Curse is the first in a series of books concerning this protagonist and the mysteries that become his to unravel.
The deputy's success lies in his knowledge of the people in his community and his familiarity with rustic ways. An avid jogger and occasional golfer, the deputy also finds these avocations to be of aid in his search for the truth. Old fashioned read I really enjoyed this book. Homebody by Joanna Gaines , Hardcover 2. Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones Set: It is many years since I read King Lear and it never was one of my favourites out of Shakespeare's plays.
However Edward St Aubyn does a good job of making it into a very readable book. Really he takes the bare bones of the original and builds his own story but there are enough similarities in the action and in the characters to see where his ideas came from. One unexpected delight was the hu This is the sixth book in the Hogarth Shakespeare series that I have read. One unexpected delight was the humour. Dunbar's fellow inmate, Peter, is very funny as is their rackety escape from the institution they find themselves in.
It is also quite a short book which seemed to finish almost as soon as it had begun. However having just finished a row of lengthy tomes, one of which bored my socks off, I was very happy with something short, sharp and snappy. If you enjoy this kind of retelling of classics then try this series. Aug 21, Roger Brunyate rated it liked it Shelves: By what criteria are we to judge the novels in the Hogarth Shakespeare Series? This is the sixth to be published, and the question only gets more puzzling with each one. Famous authors are asked to write fiction based on a Shakespeare play.
It would not be fair to call them straight retellings, as almost all the writers have felt free to go off in their own directions. Think of them rather as riffs on a theme. But for what purpose: On those criteria, I would say that all of them fail; there is not a single one that comes close, even as a translation of Shakespeare, and all would surely be considered relatively minor works in their authors' oeuvre. This works, I think, because Atwood centers her novel around a production of the play itself, and the metafiction rhymes surprisingly well with Shakespeare's farewell fantasy.
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My enjoyment of many of the others has mostly had to do with what the subject reveals about the author. While Howard Jacobson makes a mess of retelling The Merchant of Venice in Shylock is My Name , his focus on the Shylock character to explore Judaism in a Gentile world is as strong as anything else in his work.
Anne Tyler's Vinegar Girl is an ingenious light-hearted take on a comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, but it is nice to see the author letting her hair down. Jeanette Winterson's The Gap of Time takes on a problem play, The Winter's Tale; narratively, it too is a mess, but the author reveals personal connections with the subject that nonetheless give it authenticity of feeling. Only Tracy Chevalier's New Boy is a total failure, saying nothing significant about its model, Othello, and having little redeeming value of its own; it only confirms my growing suspicion that Chevalier is not the author that Girl With a Pearl Earring might have led us to expect.
But the two comedies and even the two late plays are the easier ones. With Othello, Tracy Chevalier was faced with one of the four great central tragedies. Two of the others are scheduled as the next ones up: It is interesting that both these are mystery authors and very good ones rather than writers of literary fiction; it may be that the gross mismatch between genres actually produces something rather exciting. Meanwhile, here is Edward St. Aubyn, who surely would consider himself a literary novelist, faced with what I would consider the greatest Shakespeare tragedy of the lot, King Lear.
Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, Smite flat the thick rotundity o' the world! Crack nature's moulds, all germens spill at once, That make ingrateful man! All right, by quoting one of Shakespeare's greatest speeches, I am setting the bar impossibly high. Aubyn's Dunbar, the Canadian media mogul, has just declared himself "non-executive chairman" of the mighty Dunbar Trust and handed over control to his daughters.
Who have promptly put him into a psychiatric facility in the English Lake District. And it is there that we first meet him, telling his story to an alcoholic fellow-inmate, a professional comedian called Peter Walker. Peter is a splendid creation, absolutely in the mould of Lear's Fool; hearing his stream of one-liners in many voices made me hope that St. Aubyn might have found a close kinship with the original. Peter helps Dunbar to escape, but soon leaves him, leaving the old man to trudge alone over a mountain pass in a winter storm: He hauled himself up and straightened his body one more time and brought back both his fists against his chest, inviting that child-devouring sky-god to do his worst, to rain down information from his satellites, to stream his audiovisual hell of white noise and burning bodies into Dunbar's fragile brain, to try to split its hemispheres, if he could, to try to strangle him with a word-noose, if he dared.
But you will also recognize the fatal flaw, that the quality that surely gives King Lear its supreme status—its moral scale—is entirely absent. There is a quality of excess everywhere in Lear: Aubyn may fall short of the more existential qualities, he goes to town on the evil sisters; dysfunctional families, after all, are what he does.
His Melrose novels may contain more than their share of familial horror, but here he uses Shakespeare as permission to go over the top. But without a balancing scale in all aspects of the drama, the wanton violence and sexual perversity becomes merely nauseating. All right, forget Shakespeare's original, does Dunbar work as a novel in its own right? For one thing, St. Aubyn's delight in satiric cleverness and he is clever gives the book a comic tone that ill-suits its subject, unless he were to have gone all the way and given it a similarly satiric ending. For another, it is simply confusing; there are too many characters, with all too forgettable names: And most of all, because the novel is set in the world of high finance, with hostile takeovers, voting blocks, side deals, and insider trading.
Perhaps someone more familiar with it—even St. Aubyn's core fans—might fare better, but for me it made one side of the plot virtually incomprehensible. Even the faithful youngest daughter, Florence, has been raised in this world, and must use its mechanisms to achieve justice for her father. While I saw St. Aubyn at least trying for some of the radiant simplicity that makes Shakespeare's Cordelia so heartbreaking at the end, his Florence never really won my sympathy, except in comparison to her terrible half-sisters.
So a novel that has nothing to say about its original and does not hold together in its own right: Aubyn's ingenuity and fount of wicked wit persuades me to raise it to three. Although not part of the Hogarth series, it so fits its concept and scope that it is hard to believe there is no connection. And with the daring to go way outside the box, by having it narrated by Hamlet as a fetus in utero, McEwan both gives himself permission a comic masterpiece at least the equal of his previous comedy Solar , and casts some quite interesting light on Shakespeare's original by shining it at such an unusual angle.
View all 11 comments. Apr 15, Victoria rated it really liked it. A novel of righteous indignation, cruel betrayal and twisted family dynamics all rendered with clever, precise writing. These Dunbar girls were arrogant, imperious, and tough, but toughness was not strength, imperiousness not authority, and their arrogance was an unearned pride born of an unearned income.
With an economy of words, yet prose that felt dense and portentous, he is able to conjure moments of brilliance that left this reader dazed. Aubyn does not give us that break opting instead to remain faithful to the original in its conclusion, if not its telling. View all 15 comments.
The Dunbar Curse: Bruce Pierce: theranchhands.com: Books
Dec 05, Joseph rated it really liked it Shelves: Dunbar is a modern retelling of Shakespear's King Lear. It's been quite a long time since I read Lear as an undergraduate and I wondered how much of what I remembered would affect what I read. To a casual reader, it is easy to see how Lear makes the skeleton that the book is built on. Dunbar ruler of an empire divides his corporation between his daughters to avoid taxes and in the process, the daughter's plot against him with the help of Dr. Dunbar finds himself medicated and trapped in a m Dunbar is a modern retelling of Shakespear's King Lear.
Dunbar finds himself medicated and trapped in a mental health facility. His only friend is a depressed, alcoholic comedian who helps him escape. Dunbar has three daughters. Two daughters, Abigail and Megan, are plotting to manipulate the corporation's leadership and standing in order to make a huge profit. Their ally, Doctor Bob, has his own plans and entertains the reader with his self-medication and affairs with the two sisters.
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They are despicable characters but with enough backstory to make them interesting. The third daughter, Florence, is more attached to her father as a person than his riches. She wants no part of the empire. Florence is environmentally conscious -- does not want to fly in the corporate jet, lives in Wyoming, worries about her carbon footprint.
This is a book where the evil characters seem to be more likable and definitely more interesting than the good. Florence although only wants to do good seems boring when compared to her sisters. Dunbar has rage issues, is power hungry, and his life had been his empire and nothing else. There are plenty of similarities between Dunbar and King Lear to keep a Shakespear fan interested in matching plot and the characters. For those who have not read Lear, it is a modern tycoon story that fits in well with American politics and business today.
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This book was received from bloggingforbooks. In some cases these have been laudable, inspired and in others — merely futile savagings, maulings and hack butcherings — be they theatrical, cinematic, operatic, ballet, animation, puppetry, graphic novels, comics and as many other formats as you can possibly imagine — you name it, it has been done. Once that basic premise has been acknowledged, then the novel can be read and appreciated in its own right. Hence any charges that Hogarth novels, such as this one by St Aubyn, as being superficial by comparison to the genius of William Shakespeare — are of course correct, but importantly have really missed the point.
What the Hogarth Shakespeare novels do with varying degrees of success is: Enhance our appreciation of the brilliance of the source material b. Although it is fascinating to see how St Aubyn does this — and does it well. The Hogarth Shakespeare series is a great if not new concept and has produced some fine works. The paradox and challenge is that yes, such novels will always and inevitably suffer by comparison to the original plays — but if we look beyond that, if we look at how the Hogarth novels shed a different light on the genius, the brilliance that was and always will be William Shakespeare.
For the most part St Aubyn is successful, he has produced a gripping, thought provoking thriller which has an undeniable power of its own — an impressive novel. Feb 07, Lisa rated it really liked it. This book worked better for me when I stopped comparing it to King Lear. The author has taken certain aspects of the original play and brought them to the modern day but left a lot behind.
I thought the characters were interesting although not deeply explored and the story took a bit of a backseat to the thoughts and feelings swarming the pages - mostly of regret and anger. The main setting in the Lake District in England made for an excellent bleak and austere atmosphere that really brought the f This book worked better for me when I stopped comparing it to King Lear. The main setting in the Lake District in England made for an excellent bleak and austere atmosphere that really brought the feeling of being lost to life.
This book is highly emotional and being a quick read it's a bit like a blast in the face with a hairdryer that abruptly cuts off leaving your hair a bit damp and left to dry on it's own. I enjoyed it as a summary of some of the characters from King Lear and as an emotional snapshot of an epiphany that leads to regret, anger, love and hate in the extreme. This is not a re-telling or a re-imagining of King Lear but a story that has risen from it's heart; a story of shame and the desire for forgiveness amongst the devastating consequences of a power crazed life.
Sep 16, Doug H rated it really liked it Shelves: Purely my initial reaction: Mostly admired it from a cool distance. Best of the new fall releases I've yet read, at any rate. Smart as hell, possibly too smart. Definitely much smarter than me. Currently googling "Dunbar Numbers" and wondering if I'm insane. My only consolation is the thought that the actually insane never wonder if they're insane More rational review to follow at a later date. So he says to himself.
View all 3 comments. Was this the triumph of self-knowledge: Apart from a misstep with Othello, the Hogarth Shakespeare series of modern re-engagements with the plays has been excellent to date, and this is no different. It's both faithful and yet iconoclastic, and while purists may hate it, St Aubyn has made some bold and audacious moves to re-imagine a modern Lear as a Canadian media mogul, incarcerated in a care home by his wicked daughters and making a bid for freedom with Peter Walker, an Was this the triumph of self-knowledge: It's both faithful and yet iconoclastic, and while purists may hate it, St Aubyn has made some bold and audacious moves to re-imagine a modern Lear as a Canadian media mogul, incarcerated in a care home by his wicked daughters and making a bid for freedom with Peter Walker, an old comedian who speaks in many voices but rarely his own.
One of the things that this re-telling achieves is to bring out the latent comedy that always hovers beneath the surface of Lear but which modern performances tend to erase given its canonical status. This is Lear by way of Beckett - a bit Godot, perhaps more Endgame, a tragicomedy for sure, and one which made me laugh out loud at points Megan, the Regan character, and her outrageous antics with Dr Bob, Kevin and J!
The laughter co-exists with the suffering, and stark moments 'Peter hanged himself in the shower early this morning'; Dunbar's acknowledgment of need and love: A daring enterprise on St Aubyn's part, and one which has paid off very well. Purists may well hate this iconoclastic reinterpretation that is Lear via Beckett - I liked it very much. View all 9 comments. This is the most recent of the Hogarth Shakespeare series instalments, which rework one of the bard's infamous plays.
Dunbar is the reborn story of King Lear.
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The central character is, as in the original, also the title of the piece. Henry Dunbar resides in a nursing home with only the jovial yet nonsensical Peter for companionship. His enterprise and fortunes have made their way to his two greedy daughter's outstretched hands and he is seemingly unable to stop it, in his current predicament. He This is the most recent of the Hogarth Shakespeare series instalments, which rework one of the bard's infamous plays.
He plans to escape and a mad dash ensues, in which it remains unclear who shall reach him first - the greed-driven and self-serving duo, or the one remaining daughter with love remaining for the father she thought lost? I found this too true to the original story to make any suspenseful reading. This was, of course, the story's aim but others in this series, that I have read, have also imbibed some sense of their own personality.
I found this to appear a more regulation retelling, in comparison. The modern-day scenario was a little too predictable but this still remained an entertaining read, if removed from the association with its basis. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sep 02, Briar's Reviews rated it it was ok Shelves: I love Shakespeare - anyone who knows me well can tell you that - so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. But, sadly, it was under whelming and quite the disappointment.
Perhaps I put to much pressure on this book before reading it? I haven't read King Lear yet, but I have been meaning to. I made sure to read over the synopsis and read some of the more "famous" pieces from the story online to get a better feel for it before I picked up this book. I wanted to understand the source materia I love Shakespeare - anyone who knows me well can tell you that - so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it.
I wanted to understand the source material and see what Edward St. Aubyn would do with it. While he got the base of the story and plot correct, it just wasn't as great as it could have been. The two psychotic daughters appear to be too evil - like it's obvious, but their reasoning for getting the trust money doesn't seem like a good enough reason to be crazy. I would have liked to see the craziness pulled back a bit to make it more realistic, or interesting.
I just found them to pull away from the great story of Henry and Florence. While Florence does seem to be a little too goody-goody, their scenes are really beautiful and seem to be the best part of this entire story. Aubyn uses a lot of Shakespeare quotes - which I loved! They were used in the correct context too. My issue within this, is sometimes it seemed like he was trying to write in iambic pentameter or using language from that era when it just didn't fit in. The first chapter when Henry and his comedian friend are telling stories seem to be edging towards that era, but it just wasn't funny.
If anything, it made me more confused and bored. I had to keep re-reading what they were saying just to try to understand what they are doing and I was an ace at Shakespeare in English, so how could I not understand normal English? My overall review - just read the original. It's a great story, and if it entered a contest it could potentially win, but it's not the best I've seen. I gave up a few chapters in just to force myself through the book.
Edward is a great author, and while this might not be his strongest novel I'm sure he is great in other areas. I definitely want to give him another shot in the future with a book that's an original story because I'm sure he could shine there. Two out of five stars. Circumstances suggest that Patricia's husband is the culprit. The Protagonist, employed as a deputy sheriff, is thrust into the unfamiliar role of an investigator.
Reluctant to accept the mounting evidence against his neighbor, he doggedly pursues other avenues of inquiry. In the process of solving this mystery, the deputy becomes involved with an aggravated assault, a corpse, a rural cemetery, and long-suppressed secrets. Read more Read less. Here's how restrictions apply. About the Author Bruce Pierce earned degrees in philosophy and secondary education, is a graduate of two law enforcement academies, and studied for three years in a Protestant seminary.
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Please try again later. I enjoyed this book very much.