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sirshiana's review against another edition
3.0
Bernard Shaw is one of my favorite playwrights. He is an expert at mocking society. He perfectly captured the feel of his country in a time of war and confusion in Heartbreak House. While presenting the madness of the times, he also mocks romanticism, as he is wont to do. While Heartbreak House does not compare to the magnificent story and writing of Arms and the Man, it is still a play that is worth reading to understand him as a playwright and to understand the times in which he wrote.
joannaszulcm's review against another edition
the essays are great but the play itself sucked and made no sense lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
theratcave's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this play! Wasn’t expecting to have such a good time reading it but it was genuinely funny and had a surprising amount to say about morals and the ever-changing world. The character of Ellie greatly contrasts the likes of Hesione and Ariadne, all stuck up and set in their old-fashioned ways. And the Captain, at first seemingly just as set in his ways, in his old age has seemingly gained an even stronger understanding of the world now he’s seen so much of it, and holds more likeness to the spirits of Ellie than the others, even if they want different things from life.
There’s a good few great conversations between characters, such as that with Ellie and Captain Shotover, which act as interesting reflections of the generation of the early 20th century, but also hold true to now in terms of how often expectations and societal dreams change.
And the irony that in the face of REAL danger, none of it would even matter. Except that it mattered to them. Brilliant.
I saw this show a bit before I started reading it, and it was so badly acted that it was painful to watch! But I picked it up feeling there was more to it than that bad production, and ended up being very pleasantly surprised. Now it’s time to watch a GOOD version of it and let that be the image I have of it.
There’s a good few great conversations between characters, such as that with Ellie and Captain Shotover, which act as interesting reflections of the generation of the early 20th century, but also hold true to now in terms of how often expectations and societal dreams change.
And the irony that in the face of REAL danger, none of it would even matter. Except that it mattered to them. Brilliant.
I saw this show a bit before I started reading it, and it was so badly acted that it was painful to watch! But I picked it up feeling there was more to it than that bad production, and ended up being very pleasantly surprised. Now it’s time to watch a GOOD version of it and let that be the image I have of it.
yakovenko_ana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kittic's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In this classic play, George Bernard Shaw provides a parody of the fallacies of the pre-war generation of the British upper classes. At times bizarre, this play was an enjoyable jaunt back into the work of Shaw which I had not visited in a long time. Some of the characters were a particular joy while others enlivened a truly opposite sentiment. The play moves at a brisk pace with quick witty dialogue.
mirandags's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting read that offers what Shaw thinks are the problems in "modern" (1920s) society. I would love to see this play performed. Also it was much easier to read than most plays, but that is not to say it was a lightweight read. Definitely gave me a lot to think about.
annasar's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
gustikazzz's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brechtian's review against another edition
4.0
Yeah okay it takes a little bit before this play really gets going but once it gets there it does rule. Fascinating examination of the bourgeoise class of wealthy western countries & England in particular and the ways in which they are completely out of touch with reality even amidst horror. Idk I will just forever be thinking about the Ellie line “[The Soul] eats music and pictures and books and mountains and lakes and beautiful things to wear and nice people to be with. In this country you can’t have them without lots of money: that is why our souls are so horribly starved.”
lemeilleurs's review against another edition
3.0
This was my least favorite of the four of Shaw's plays that I have read. However, it was aptly named. It seems that in this play, everyone was in love with the wrong person and everyone continuously spun elaborate lies. It was hard to keep up with who loved whom and what was true or false. Then it felt as if the play ended rather abruptly, leaving me with many questions and qualms as to what had just taken place.