Reviews

Et Dukkehjem, by Henrik Ibsen

klara1204's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.5

caithlinobrien's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

themagicviolinist's review against another edition

2.0

Another required play for my theatre class and . . . eh? It wasn't terrible, just very boring and oh my god every character drove me crazy. They were either annoying, misogynistic, or lacking a personality. None of those are good things, guys.

hoshishot's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

_astridd_'s review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

andrea_h111's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

arianaromer0j's review against another edition

3.0

Required reading for a class. I honestly liked it. It was short but a nice read.

rojo25's review against another edition

5.0

This story is certainly dated but it is still powerful. It is a timeless masterpiece written well ahead of its time. Nora is certainly a female heroine raised by a controlling father and married to a controlling husband. He calls her "songbird" and "squirrel" and regards her as his possession. He doesn't believe she is capable of making decisions and she is never considered as an equal in the marriage. Nora appears weak and naive but in the end, it is evident she is none of that. She is strong, intelligent and courageous. I am glad I read this story. I truly loved it.

totallynotava's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

octavia_cade's review against another edition

hopeful sad tense fast-paced

3.0

I might rate this higher if I didn't hate the husband so fucking much. Right from the very first he's loathsome, which in a way undercuts the effect of Nora leaving him. Of course she has to leave, who would want to be married to that?! I expect back in the day, when this first started playing in Norway, Torvald might have been perceived by audiences as somewhat patronising but essentially goodhearted, and the subsequent reveal of his total lack of love for his wife might have been seen as genuinely shocking... and Nora's reaction to it all more compelling. Nearly 150 years later, feminism has percolated enough through my culture, at least, for me to recognise that shit for what he is right off the bat. As such, it's not a surprise that Nora walks away... it's just basic relief, really.

You don't have to be a genius to understand that, whatever happens to Nora after the play ends, Torvald at least will learn nothing. He really is dreadful. Good on Ibsen for making him that way, though. I understand the play sparked a whole lot of conversation, and controversy, as it damn well should have. Apparently Ibsen took inspiration from real life, ugh.