Scan barcode
trilobiter's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those landmark works you've heard so much about, that movingly reveals something about America to itself, whether America cares to listen and be moved or not. So much for the end of history - Angels may bid us sit still, but humans (perhaps especially American humans) can't help but find new and excruciating ways to advance the story of society, impending millennium be damned.
It's obscenely funny in parts, though pervasively haunted not only by death but the signs of dying among the living. Important transitions are often marked by funerals, and the story lingers with a mix of tenderness and schadenfreude over the pathetic demise of one of America's greatest assholes. Still, the story concludes with one of the sickest of the sick somehow, miraculously, still living. That is to say, of course, that the story doesn't really conclude. People keep living, and amid all the changes that at least hasn't changed yet.
What did this story reveal, and what does it continue to reveal about America? How you see it might depend on your political persuasion. I can't help but imagine that some folks couldn't read this book, much less watch the drama be performed, without bursting into flames. If they do keep their cool, perhaps they'll catch a glimpse of grace where they least expect it.
It's obscenely funny in parts, though pervasively haunted not only by death but the signs of dying among the living. Important transitions are often marked by funerals, and the story lingers with a mix of tenderness and schadenfreude over the pathetic demise of one of America's greatest assholes. Still, the story concludes with one of the sickest of the sick somehow, miraculously, still living. That is to say, of course, that the story doesn't really conclude. People keep living, and amid all the changes that at least hasn't changed yet.
What did this story reveal, and what does it continue to reveal about America? How you see it might depend on your political persuasion. I can't help but imagine that some folks couldn't read this book, much less watch the drama be performed, without bursting into flames. If they do keep their cool, perhaps they'll catch a glimpse of grace where they least expect it.
afaithu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
magis1105's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
everyonelikeslou's review against another edition
5.0
Liebe Liebe Liebe.
Schaue gerade auch das Theaterstück nochmal und Liebs.
Los los Lesen!
Schaue gerade auch das Theaterstück nochmal und Liebs.
Los los Lesen!
amberface's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
clarissimo's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
avoticat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved seeing this play and it was a delight to read and fully engage with all of the words and stage directions. Would highly recommend, and would always recommend checking out a performance of Angels before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Religious bigotry
This play is about AIDs in America in the 1980s.fairchayton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amaldae's review against another edition
4.75
Millennium Approaches is a full 5 star book, Perestroika I called "obscenely optimistic, perpetually affecting" and rated slightly lower.
lu_till's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0