Lear Wife is a beautiful read, which takes the reader on a powerful journey through poetic writing and poignant descriptions of grief.
The story begins after the events of Shakespeare's play 'King Lear', and focuses on the fictional wife of King Lear. We find her after fifteen years in exile in an abbey, having recently learned that her three daughters and King Lear have died. Written from the intimate perspective of the queen, the reader is taken on a journey of grief, female relationships, and power, as we discover how the queen came to live in the abbey. The book winds between the realities and trials of life as a nun, and the memories of the queen, as she recalls life as head of the court, wife to the King, and mother to three daughters.
Through lyrical writing, the story explores the complex dynamics and relationships among the women of the abbey and how the now-ageing queen navigates her status and identities as queen, wife, and mother. While the highly descriptive writing style takes a moment to get used to, it adds depth to the characters and to the protagonist's memories, and makes us consider the fragility and precious transience of life. The book can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of 'King Lear'; however, the queen's recollections provide a compelling and enriching backstory to Shakespeare's characters.
This is a captivating read that brings to life an unwritten yet formidable character.
Reviewed By Juliet (Visitor Operations Assistant)
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I have never read anything like Lear Wife.
The book opens with Queen Lear being told that her husband and daughters are dead, and from the abbey King Lear banished her to, she slowly tells her story. She tells us of her memories of her first husband Michael, of her marriage to Lear, of Kent, of her relationship with her daughters and the failure to bear a male heir. All are weaved seamlessly into the present events unfolding at the convent.
J R Thorpe has a very unique writing style with unusual poetic language. Very satisfyingly, the Queen she writes for Lear’s King sits perfectly among Shakespeare’s pantheon of head strong women who are the power behind the throne. Because of it’s distinctiveness it did take me a while to get into it, longer than usual, but in the end I was swept away by this strong, incomparable voice of Lear’s wife.
Review by Hannah (Visitor Operations Supervisor)
