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tree_branch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
mbomersheim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett is a play where not much happens, and it is infuriating. I hated this work, and the time it took me to read it is time I will never get back. The entire dialogue is very stream of consciousness, making the conversations disjointed and hard to follow. It gives Gertrude Stein vibes, which I’m not a fan of. I’m not going to even bother with writing a spoiler-free review because I just have a lot to say, and I don’t want to take the mental energy to decide what is a spoiler.
Spoilers ahead, tread with caution:
Act 2 is almost a repeat of Act 1 taking place the next day with minor variations on the theme. Vladimir is the only one who seems to remember the previous day. If it was a different medium, I would just say that Vladimir is an unreliable narrator, but since it is a play and there is an audience witnessing this whole thing, so theoretically you’d know if it was really all real. Things just get a bit convoluted. Anyway, this time Pozzo is blind, Lucky is dumb and on the verge of death, and once again, Godot does not show at the end (shocker I know).
Also, there are a good number of biblical references throughout this play. From my reading, I think the unseen Godot is supposed to be a representation of God because nobody knows what he looks like and he never shows up. The characters talk about how Godot has the ability to punish them if they leave. Essentially their waiting is futile, but Vladimir, Estragon, and to some degree, Pozzo feel drawn to the spot and have difficulty leaving. This whole thing made me think, "What is the point?" I think it’s ironic that I read this during Lent.
TLDR: I never want to experience this again, and I would not recommend picking this up unless you enjoy causing yourself pain.
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing
kydnmthws's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Slavery
Minor: Violence
letiross's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Death, and Suicide
racheltrow_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
jakepasseri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide
axeles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Violence
imrereads's review against another edition
4.0
I reread it now, at 27, and I still find it confusing and hard to grasp, but still so thought provocing. At it's core it's an absurdist comment on the meaningless of existence, but we also have the importance of the friendship between Vladimir and Estragon. I feel like those two points are the opposites that make the play what it is.
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
dovewrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
malarki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Slavery and Violence