Dunbar

Henry Dunbar, a media mogul who built a global empire, finds himself stripped of power and confined to a care facility in rural England after his two eldest daughters orchestrate a corporate takeover. The story follows Dunbar's escape through the wilderness with his companion Peter Walker, while his youngest daughter Florence races to find him before her sisters can implement their plan. St Aubyn transposes Shakespeare's King Lear into the modern world of corporate power, family betrayal, and media dynasties. The novel adapts the core elements of King Lear - the division of a kingdom, filial betrayal, and a father's descent into madness - while exploring contemporary themes of corporate greed, aging, and the corrupting nature of power. This retelling examines how the structures of power, both familial and corporate, can destroy the bonds between parents and children, while questioning whether redemption is possible for those who have wielded authority without wisdom.

Readers note this modern King Lear retelling captures the cruelty and psychological complexity of Shakespeare's play while translating it to a contemporary corporate setting. Readers appreciated: - Sharp, biting dialogue and dark humor - Psychological depth of character portrayals - Commentary on wealth, power, and family dynamics - Elegant prose style Common criticisms: - Plot feels rushed in places - Supporting characters lack development - Too much focus on internal monologues - Ending seems abrupt "The prose is sublime but the story never quite achieves the tragic heights of King Lear," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Several readers mentioned struggling to connect with or care about the characters. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (100+ ratings) The book earned praise for its language and themes but reviewers frequently cited pacing issues and character development as drawbacks.

King Lear by William Shakespeare St. Aubyn's source material stands as the definitive tale of a ruler's descent into madness and the brutal impact of family betrayal.

Money by Martin Amis A self-destructive media mogul's downward spiral unfolds through razor-sharp satire of wealth and power in the 1980s.

The Sea by John Banville This meditation on memory and loss follows a man who returns to his past while grappling with personal devastation.

Sabbath's Theater by Philip Roth A former puppeteer's life collapses into chaos as he confronts mortality, desire, and his own dissolution.

Something Happened by Joseph Heller A corporate executive's internal monologue reveals the hollowness beneath his successful facade as his grip on family and sanity loosens.

🎭 The character of Henry Dunbar was partly inspired by real-life media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and his complex relationships with his children. 📚 Edward St Aubyn is himself from an aristocratic background and drew from personal experiences of wealth and family dysfunction in writing this novel. ⚜️ This book is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, which features contemporary authors reimagining Shakespeare's works for modern audiences. 🎬 Unlike Shakespeare's Lear who divides a kingdom, Dunbar's empire is a global media conglomerate - reflecting the shift from territorial to corporate power in modern times. 🖋️ St Aubyn maintained the original play's three-plot structure but innovatively transformed the Fool character into Dunbar's alcoholic comedian friend, Peter Walker.