sakisreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
✨ Thrifted ✨
I should have realised this was a Macbeth-esque story, but I haven’t read Shakespeare in so long 🫠 Oops!
Content warnings are below, as usual!
I whizzed through this, not necessarily because it was written well but because there was always some discomfort lurking within (and I suppose Matt Haig’s intention was to write it as a 11 year old boy whose grammar isn’t going to be great) 😳
I’m giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars ✨ Not sure what to read next to be honest 😂 This one put me in a weird place!
I should have realised this was a Macbeth-esque story, but I haven’t read Shakespeare in so long 🫠 Oops!
Content warnings are below, as usual!
I whizzed through this, not necessarily because it was written well but because there was always some discomfort lurking within (and I suppose Matt Haig’s intention was to write it as a 11 year old boy whose grammar isn’t going to be great) 😳
I’m giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars ✨ Not sure what to read next to be honest 😂 This one put me in a weird place!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
liamliayaum's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
No punctuation used except for periods and question marks. Very run on speech/flow of consciousness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide attempt
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Loved this retelling of Hamlet with the narrator being 11-year-old Philip Noble who has recently lost his father. Unfortunately for young Philip, his father begins appearing to him and demanding his death be avenged by his son. Already a child often victimized by schoolyard bullies, Philip’s reputation as an oddball becomes even worse with his dead father popping up at any old time and badgering Philip who feels compelled to reply… but since only Philip can see his father, his new problematic behavior in life makes him the center of attention at home and school.
The adolescent voice created by author Matt Haig is so on point. Philip is a very bright and interesting kid who is wonderful at observing others and describing his world. He doesn’t want to believe what his dead father says to him or do what’s being asked of him, but feelings of loyalty to someone you love are hard to refuse. The sometimes zany situations in which Philip finds himself experiencing because of interactions with his dead father are beyond what you’d expect of a child, but not too far out there that they’re unbelievable. Philip’s explanation of what happens is done with the rationale you’d expect of a clever eleven-year-old boy.
This story makes so much sense when looked at through the lens of the main character being a child dealing with deep and profound grief that he may not yet be ready to move on from. The mind works in mysterious ways. There’s also a really good mystery or two running through the storyline, and almost a comedy of confusion that persists because no one is talking to Philip. But it is clear that the boy is loved by family and other adults in his life. I very much appreciated that being loud and clear in the book.
This is a very good story with excellent writing and character development. I highly recommend regardless of the reader’s familiarity with Hamlet.
I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator, pre-teen Andrew Dennis, was stellar. Mr. Dennis’s nuanced performance brought the source material to life and there could not have been a better choice for this book.
The adolescent voice created by author Matt Haig is so on point. Philip is a very bright and interesting kid who is wonderful at observing others and describing his world. He doesn’t want to believe what his dead father says to him or do what’s being asked of him, but feelings of loyalty to someone you love are hard to refuse. The sometimes zany situations in which Philip finds himself experiencing because of interactions with his dead father are beyond what you’d expect of a child, but not too far out there that they’re unbelievable. Philip’s explanation of what happens is done with the rationale you’d expect of a clever eleven-year-old boy.
This story makes so much sense when looked at through the lens of the main character being a child dealing with deep and profound grief that he may not yet be ready to move on from. The mind works in mysterious ways. There’s also a really good mystery or two running through the storyline, and almost a comedy of confusion that persists because no one is talking to Philip. But it is clear that the boy is loved by family and other adults in his life. I very much appreciated that being loud and clear in the book.
This is a very good story with excellent writing and character development. I highly recommend regardless of the reader’s familiarity with Hamlet.
I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator, pre-teen Andrew Dennis, was stellar. Mr. Dennis’s nuanced performance brought the source material to life and there could not have been a better choice for this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
kimseokjinschild's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
💫 A book that discusses bereavement, emotions and family relationships.
📈 Lost Interest a couple of times
📈Couldn't get use to writing layout
📈 Lost Interest a couple of times
📈Couldn't get use to writing layout
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Bullying, and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
beccaattiffanys's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
laurataylor's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
megamog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Violence, Alcohol, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
readingwithkelsey's review against another edition
3.0
I am certainly conflicted about this book because usually, I love when author's pay an homage to Shakespeare's works but in this Hamlet retelling, the plot fell a little flat. I think the aspect of avenging ones father through killing others only really works when one does not understand the overall judicial system of 16th century Denmark (which I do not). In the setting of modern UK, I think this concept falls a little flat. I did really enjoy Philip as a main character; I think his conflicted feelings towards his father's death and his uncle's insertion into the family were entirely valid. Additionally, because it is told in Philip's voice, I loved the way the prose was written. The entire book is written as though Philip is just telling it to use - this means no quotation marks when people are speaking and correct grammar is out the window and I felt like this was a really unique aspect of the novel. I felt inside Philip's head which is exactly what was needed for readers so we may believe Philip and his thoughts concerning his father's death. I believe the rest of the story was just too bizarre for me to fully get into.
Spoiler
I also really hated the ending of the novel. I feel as though Philip was learning his lesson and moving forward from his father's death and then once again, Haig throws in this really weird and random final nail in the coffin which annoyed me in The Last Family in England and annoyed me here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
sophiemundy13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
the grammar of this book was such a turn-off, but we proceeded nonetheless!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident and Cursing
thelovelylibrarylady's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
As a modern take on Shakespeare's Hamlet, Haig's novel The Dead Fathers Club was disappointing. Yes, it stayed pretty true to the play, but the execution was just bad. The book is told from the perspective of Philip, an eleven-year-old boy whose father has recently passed away. Personally, I am not a huge fan of adult novels with narration from children. It made the book feel more juvenile than what is appropriate for the topic matter. In addition to this, the ending left me confused. I am not one to complain about cliffhangers on standalone titles, but I do think there is a proper way to do them, such as leaving enough information for the reader to be able to make their own guesses as to what happens next. Overall, I would not recommend this title for the reasons stated above.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
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