The Steep and Thorny Way - May's Group Read

[Charmaine]

Here's the discussion topic for The Steep and Thorny Way. The book cover looks interesting :-D Please share your thoughts with us as you're reading this one. :-)

[Edi]

I just started it, and it seems to be like a Hamlet retelling. I didn't realize it before but it even has a page with the cast of characters as if it were a play.

[Edi]

I really liked the friendships and family dynamics portrayed in this book. The main character’s mother makes some mistakes, but in the end, she just wants to help Hanelee. I loved Joe and Hanalee’s friendship. It felt like they truly loved each other, but without all the angst of a romantic relationship. It was refreshing.
I’m not really sure how I feel about the book starting out like Hamlet with the ghost, “uncle” marrying the mother, and all the quotes from the play because it ended up taking an entirely new direction after the halfway point.

[QNPoohBear]

Wow this was an incredibly powerful book. The history behind the story was so awful to read about but so important too. I wasn't thrilled with the ghost father but I thought the Hamlet inspired story was clever and interesting. It doesn't end up like Hamlet but it kept me guessing as to how closely it would resemble the play.;