literarymultitudes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
5.0
jorvikreads's review against another edition
Lovely writing but not much going on under the surface. Flat characters, adds nothing to the original text, and I'm always suspicious of books with such little dialogue as they tend to struggle to organically move the action on (definitely the case here!)
ahngp's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
walshie_writes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
jesscom's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
georgie_mb's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️’s ad - pr product
I didn’t really know what to expect from this book, especially as the Queen is seldom mentioned in King Lear. It has made me want to read the play again! I think once you accept the fact that not a huge amount is going to be happening in this, then you’ll really enjoy it. I did actually nearly stop reading this after a scene of animal cruelty (a big turn-off for me) but I decided to keep going and found the second half of the book much better than the first.
The writing style is quite disjointed which seems to reflect her distressed mind with her grief, but at times it can get a bit too confusing for the reader to follow.
I do think that this book was too long though for the content. I’m perfectly happy to read a slower paced book, but I feel like this was almost dragged out at certain parts which didn’t really benefit the story.
I didn’t really know what to expect from this book, especially as the Queen is seldom mentioned in King Lear. It has made me want to read the play again! I think once you accept the fact that not a huge amount is going to be happening in this, then you’ll really enjoy it. I did actually nearly stop reading this after a scene of animal cruelty (a big turn-off for me) but I decided to keep going and found the second half of the book much better than the first.
The writing style is quite disjointed which seems to reflect her distressed mind with her grief, but at times it can get a bit too confusing for the reader to follow.
I do think that this book was too long though for the content. I’m perfectly happy to read a slower paced book, but I feel like this was almost dragged out at certain parts which didn’t really benefit the story.
whatyoutolkienabout's review
Review: Leahwife by J.R. Thorp
I know it can be classed as pretentious but I have always had a love for Shakespeare and the Renaissance period in general, so much so my MA was focused slowly on Renaissance Literary Studies. So needless to say when I became aware of a book that deals with a character within a Shakespeare play who is noticeable more by her absence I was intrigued and more than a little excited!
Exiled to a nunnery years ago, written out of history with her name forgotten Lear’s Queen hears word that changes everything. Care-bent King Lear is dead, betrayed by those closet to him and driven mad. His three daughters also broken in battle. But his Queen, well she survived and now she can tell her story.
Though grief and rage threaten to crack the very earth beneath her open, she knows she must seek answers to everything that has come to pass. What caused her to be sent away in such shame and disgrace to begin with? What of her oldest friend and ally, Kent? Most importantly what will become of her now in this place of pious women? She knows to find any peace she must reckon with her past and make a terrible choice. A choice that her destiny and the fate of the entire abbey rests upon.
Needless to say it was a gamble on J.R Thorps part but my goodness did it pay off, in my opinion. A powerful novel with an easy and beautiful style that lends itself partly to the time it is set and partly to the modern reader Learwife was a joy from start to finish. The characters are, on the whole, well balanced and created and most importantly likable. The nameless (at least for the majority of the time) heroine is not above employing tactics of the courts including manipulation where necessary to complete her goal.
Thorp manages to give a unforgettable and unique voice to a woman who has been absent for decades. A simply wonderful novel that deals with loss, renewal and how history can connect to the present.
I honestly could hardly put this down so much so I finished it within a couple of days. I will most definitely be rereading.
Thank you to Netgelley and the Author for giving me and Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I know it can be classed as pretentious but I have always had a love for Shakespeare and the Renaissance period in general, so much so my MA was focused slowly on Renaissance Literary Studies. So needless to say when I became aware of a book that deals with a character within a Shakespeare play who is noticeable more by her absence I was intrigued and more than a little excited!
Exiled to a nunnery years ago, written out of history with her name forgotten Lear’s Queen hears word that changes everything. Care-bent King Lear is dead, betrayed by those closet to him and driven mad. His three daughters also broken in battle. But his Queen, well she survived and now she can tell her story.
Though grief and rage threaten to crack the very earth beneath her open, she knows she must seek answers to everything that has come to pass. What caused her to be sent away in such shame and disgrace to begin with? What of her oldest friend and ally, Kent? Most importantly what will become of her now in this place of pious women? She knows to find any peace she must reckon with her past and make a terrible choice. A choice that her destiny and the fate of the entire abbey rests upon.
Needless to say it was a gamble on J.R Thorps part but my goodness did it pay off, in my opinion. A powerful novel with an easy and beautiful style that lends itself partly to the time it is set and partly to the modern reader Learwife was a joy from start to finish. The characters are, on the whole, well balanced and created and most importantly likable. The nameless (at least for the majority of the time) heroine is not above employing tactics of the courts including manipulation where necessary to complete her goal.
Thorp manages to give a unforgettable and unique voice to a woman who has been absent for decades. A simply wonderful novel that deals with loss, renewal and how history can connect to the present.
I honestly could hardly put this down so much so I finished it within a couple of days. I will most definitely be rereading.
Thank you to Netgelley and the Author for giving me and Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
zena_ryder's review
5.0
Beautiful language and an engaging, imaginative companion to King Lear. It's not exactly a re-telling, because the events of the novel take place after the events of King Lear — plus backstory filling in events that preceded King Lear.
If you enjoy poetic prose and are happy with a slower pace, you'll likely enjoy this one. It's not necessary to (re-) read Shakespeare's play before reading this, but I certainly found that doing so added to my enjoyment of the novel. You'll at least want to read a synopsis of the plot of King Lear. (Spoiler alert: Pretty much all of them die at the end.
If you enjoy poetic prose and are happy with a slower pace, you'll likely enjoy this one. It's not necessary to (re-) read Shakespeare's play before reading this, but I certainly found that doing so added to my enjoyment of the novel. You'll at least want to read a synopsis of the plot of King Lear. (Spoiler alert: Pretty much all of them die at the end.
scarlatte16's review
dark
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
3.5
girlglitch's review
3.0
There is a lot to like about Learwife, a spirited retelling of Shakespeare through the eyes of Lear's strong and spiteful Queen. It is one of those books which leaves an immediate impression: you will know within the first few pages whether you'll love it or leave it.
Learwife is weighted heavily by its distinctive narrative voice, prose all but drowning in poetry. Thorpe clearly has a love for language, and in places, her writing is wonderfully lyrical, but most of the time I found it overbearing, a long string of compound words. While I can see why some readers will fall under its spell, I found it difficult to be swept up in a story that's more embellishment than bones.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Learwife is weighted heavily by its distinctive narrative voice, prose all but drowning in poetry. Thorpe clearly has a love for language, and in places, her writing is wonderfully lyrical, but most of the time I found it overbearing, a long string of compound words. While I can see why some readers will fall under its spell, I found it difficult to be swept up in a story that's more embellishment than bones.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*