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octavia_cade's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This is my first time reading this and I went into it with absolutely no idea as to what it was about, and I was still surprised. It seems very racy for the 1950s! Hell, I'm sure some people would complain about it now. It's fascinating at how so much of it talks around subjects like homosexuality and just expects the audience to follow along - it's a very elliptical play in that sense. The introduction was very helpful in that respect; it takes up about a third of this particular edition, and goes into themes and stagings and critical responses.
I have to admit that I'm curious to see it staged. It strikes me as one of those plays that lives or dies by the charisma of the characters. This is true of most plays, I expect, but I'm thinking primarily here of Brick, who would need someone of towering charisma to not fade beside the rest of the cast. I have limited sympathy for him on the page - not that he isn't interesting and deserving of compassion, under the circumstances, but if I had to live with him I'd be at the end of my rope. In fact, I couldn't help but think that if I were Maggie and I did get pregnant and Big Daddy did die, one of my first acts after inheriting would be to suffocate my dead weight husband in his bed one night. Let's face it, he'd probably enjoy it.
I have to admit that I'm curious to see it staged. It strikes me as one of those plays that lives or dies by the charisma of the characters. This is true of most plays, I expect, but I'm thinking primarily here of Brick, who would need someone of towering charisma to not fade beside the rest of the cast. I have limited sympathy for him on the page - not that he isn't interesting and deserving of compassion, under the circumstances, but if I had to live with him I'd be at the end of my rope. In fact, I couldn't help but think that if I were Maggie and I did get pregnant and Big Daddy did die, one of my first acts after inheriting would be to suffocate my dead weight husband in his bed one night. Let's face it, he'd probably enjoy it.
pelreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maisiee_'s review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
baileyana's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
apolloarcher_40000000's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.25
kimberly_levaco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Williams’s weaves a t take of denial that grips the heart and tears at the soul.
mazeeee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Maggie is the epitome of “stand by your man” and I’m glad she got somewhat of a happier ending in the revised last act. Brick can kiss my tush for many reasons but main one being there seems to be little to no reason for the way he treats his wife other then his own insecurity and lowkey weird relationship with his old friend. History will say they were just friends fr. I truly struggled with the ending of the last act until reading the revised version, which sheds a bit more light on the scope of the family dynamics and also didn’t end in absolute heartbreak for every character lol. This was my first time reading this play but I always enjoy Williams’s voice throughout the play’s stage direction and found myself missing that in the revised version of the last act. Will return to this someday.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
marc129's review against another edition
3.0
A classic play, but it still tastes fresh. By American standards (I apologize to my American GR-friends!) this is an in-depth character study with strong protagonists. I think of Brick, who drinks away the homosexual nature of the "pure" relationship with his friend Skipper, his wife Margareth who - horny as a cat on a hot tin roof - desperately tries to get access to him, and Big Daddy who can't handle his nearing death. I also saw the 1959-movie, but the alternative Hollywood version of the third act is an absolute failure, compared to the original!
earnestlee's review against another edition
3.5
not my fave from williams but still worth a read. love margaret and i wish she was the focus all the way though instead of just act 1. also thought the small mentions of homosexuality were interesting - maybe he would’ve elaborated more if he were writing now. anyways, a solid read with such an amazing title. glass menagerie remains undefeated