nvmreadshere's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
valtimke's review against another edition
5.0
The third play by Beckett I've read ("Waiting for Godot" and "Breath" as well), I read this for a class recently. I might even like it more than "Waiting for Godot" but I'm still letting a lot of its elements sink in.
One of the most important things discussed in my class is that the audience is in a parallel state to Hamm, one of four characters, that claims to be living out the middle of his life. We experience the world as Hamm does, in a weird way, and I'm not fully sure I can grasp the magnitude of that idea. This play is absurd, bizarre, and in the end another heartbreaking cyclical, genius play that Beckett put together. My favorite part of this play was analyzing what it would take for each character to enter back into life; for Nagg, it is a sugarplum, as if the pleasure and sweetness is all they have energy left enough to experience.
One of the most important things discussed in my class is that the audience is in a parallel state to Hamm, one of four characters, that claims to be living out the middle of his life. We experience the world as Hamm does, in a weird way, and I'm not fully sure I can grasp the magnitude of that idea. This play is absurd, bizarre, and in the end another heartbreaking cyclical, genius play that Beckett put together. My favorite part of this play was analyzing what it would take for each character to enter back into life; for Nagg, it is a sugarplum, as if the pleasure and sweetness is all they have energy left enough to experience.
anthonysimon99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mariasreadingdiary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-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
4.0
letiross's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death
spiralnode's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
'Endgame' is certainly original, and that's also where my enjoyment of it came from. It's a one act play featuring characters, a family, that emerge from dustbins, and a character that helps them stay connected to the outside world, by providing commentary on what is happening outside the apartment or bringing them certain items. It's very much the type of book that inspires commentary, it is not on the nose in the slightest, but the kind of philosophical read where you can take every sentence apart and figure out what they've meant.
And this means that my interpretation is very much that - an interpretation. I was trying to figure out where these characters in dustbins where in their lifetime - even answer the question of are they alive or dead. And that stems from the fact that frequently they ask the same question of their helper regarding the other characters.
To me, it read like the meditations of people in purgatory, but in reality it becomes clear that they have no pulse. The father tells stories to his son, with the message of how human nature works in the real world. How do people connect with nature, with each other, what hope is there for a world as a better place, are humans intrinsically good or evil?
It's a very short read of about 100 pages, amd while I couldn't say I found the narrative/dialogue that interesting, the form was. I had to check multiple times if I was reading things correctly, because especially the physical placement of the characters and objects, and their existence, pushed my belief.
And this means that my interpretation is very much that - an interpretation. I was trying to figure out where these characters in dustbins where in their lifetime - even answer the question of are they alive or dead. And that stems from the fact that frequently they ask the same question of their helper regarding the other characters.
To me, it read like the meditations of people in purgatory, but in reality it becomes clear that they have no pulse. The father tells stories to his son, with the message of how human nature works in the real world. How do people connect with nature, with each other, what hope is there for a world as a better place, are humans intrinsically good or evil?
It's a very short read of about 100 pages, amd while I couldn't say I found the narrative/dialogue that interesting, the form was. I had to check multiple times if I was reading things correctly, because especially the physical placement of the characters and objects, and their existence, pushed my belief.
whyjulain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
capy's review against another edition
3.5
One day you'll say to yourself, I'm tired, I'll sit down, and you'll go and sit down. Then you'll say, I'm hungry, I'll get up and get something to eat. But you won't get up. You'll say, I shouldn't have sat down, but since I have I'll sit on a little longer, then I'll get up and get something to eat. But you won't get up and you won't get anything to eat.
odd, meaningful & sad; made me dislike old people a little less ngl