Dunbar

I've seen this novel on a few “Best of 2017” lists. The description of it as a “modern-day King Lear” intrigued me. “Lear” was one of the Shakespeare plays I remember (sort of) reading way back in high school. After reading “Dunbar” I definitely need to go back and (actually) read “King Lear.” This centuries-old play has been gaining new attention as the ignorant, hubris-driven, greedy King Lear, or, in the novel's case, Henry Dunbar, is lived out daily in the Twitter rants, bizarre interviews, and the unceasing marketing of another one named tycoon - Trump. I enjoyed the brief, quick read of “Dunbar,” but my enjoyment of it would surely be increased by greater familiarity with “King Lear.” Although “Dunbar,” like “Lear” is a tragedy, there is reconciliation and redemption in it. I wonder if we'll ever see a similar end to the story of our “Lear” - King Trump.