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burningupasun's review against another edition
4.0
This was a riveting read for me, and a tough one as well. Not tough in that it was hard to get through, but tough in that it was a very emotional play. All of the main characters are going through very hard, emotional, complex situations, and that really comes across in the play. Something about reading it makes you feel as if they are real people, revealing these deeply personal things to you as the play goes on. I felt this especially in the scenes with the online conversations, where it was so easy to imagine you were sitting on your computer as well, watching these words pop up on the screen. Perhaps this was because I was reading the play online in ebook formula, rather than seeing it in person. I feel like in person, it would feel even more real, as if these people were talking right to you.
The reveal of Odessa as Elliot's mother was incredibly dramatic and surprising, but I felt that the revelation about what happened with Elliot's sister/Odessa's daughter to be even more emotional and upsetting. You could see how all these things were a part of who Odessa was, and how they in turn had become a part of who Elliot was. It really paralleled the idea of inherited addition, too. That idea of family connection was very strong in the play, even with the non-related characters, who were like chosen family in a way. Odessa mothered them in the way she never properly could mother Elliot.
To be honest, I almost didn't want the play to end, either. I was so caught up that I wanted to learn more about how those characters continued on. All in all, it was a very riveting, enjoyable play. I would have loved to see it live.
The reveal of Odessa as Elliot's mother was incredibly dramatic and surprising, but I felt that the revelation about what happened with Elliot's sister/Odessa's daughter to be even more emotional and upsetting. You could see how all these things were a part of who Odessa was, and how they in turn had become a part of who Elliot was. It really paralleled the idea of inherited addition, too. That idea of family connection was very strong in the play, even with the non-related characters, who were like chosen family in a way. Odessa mothered them in the way she never properly could mother Elliot.
To be honest, I almost didn't want the play to end, either. I was so caught up that I wanted to learn more about how those characters continued on. All in all, it was a very riveting, enjoyable play. I would have loved to see it live.
allym's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
2.5
vitaminbillwebb's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
audreynturner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
emilyosterloh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
This is such an important play. Disappointed I didn’t come across it sooner. Its primary focus is on struggles with addiction, PTSD, and death, so it’s certainly not a light read. It portrays the darkness of addiction and the struggles that come along with it incredibly well and illuminates how difficult it is to contend with this disease. The author does not pull any punches, which feels necessary. Elliot and Yaz are characters you sympathize with, but so are Odessa and everyone she speaks to in the chatroom. I liked how the play focused on familial relationships and friendships and how their strength can be a source of comfort in these trying times. I also loved how the play touched deeply on internet relationships and their validity. Water By the Spoonful does not end in the happiest manner, but there is a glimmer of hope. I am fortunate enough to be working on a production of this play in the coming months, and I cannot wait to see it unfold on stage. It already feels immersive being read, but watching it in real life will be even better. I only wish I could have seen more of all the characters and their recovery process, but maybe it is meant to be this way so it’s left to the reader’s or the audience’s imagination what happens next. I am aware there this is part of a trilogy, though I don’t think Odessa is a primary focus in either of the other plays. Regardless, I think I’ll need to give the others a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
quinn_is_a_sin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What a damn good script
yourmainjoe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
aydon's review
3.0
i enjoyed reading this, but i really wish i could see the actual play. this is a book i'm going to be studying for my eng 210 class anyways, so it's not like i had a choice, but it felt like reading the lyrics to a song without actually listening to it
rebeccawesome's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My favorite play I’ve read this year
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Child death
annamickreads's review against another edition
5.0
It should be extremely obvious to everyone why this play won the Pulitzer Prize. Quiara Alegría Hudes tackles difficult subjects such as addiction, the Iraq War, and Puerto Rican diaspora in such an empathetic, honest way that everything feels raw and real.
I am a clown not to have started with the first play in this trilogy, so I wasn't as familiar with the characters, but they were easily discernible to me. Elliot, an Iraq war vet turned actor, and his cousin Yaz, team up after the death of Yaz's mother Ginny, who raised the both of them. Elliot's biological mother and Yaz's aunt, Odessa, is an addict who runs an online forum for fellow addicts to help one another on a path to sobriety.
The play is told both in person and online in the chatroom, but the set is specifically structured to emphasize the connection in both, whether in person or online — something I think in a post-pandemic world is even more impactful.
Throughout the play, characters find friendship and solace in one another as they attempt to overcome their pasts and reinvent themselves especially during times of extreme change, even if they're just trying to get by little bits at a time. I'm so glad I read this play.
I am a clown not to have started with the first play in this trilogy, so I wasn't as familiar with the characters, but they were easily discernible to me. Elliot, an Iraq war vet turned actor, and his cousin Yaz, team up after the death of Yaz's mother Ginny, who raised the both of them. Elliot's biological mother and Yaz's aunt, Odessa, is an addict who runs an online forum for fellow addicts to help one another on a path to sobriety.
The play is told both in person and online in the chatroom, but the set is specifically structured to emphasize the connection in both, whether in person or online — something I think in a post-pandemic world is even more impactful.
Throughout the play, characters find friendship and solace in one another as they attempt to overcome their pasts and reinvent themselves especially during times of extreme change, even if they're just trying to get by little bits at a time. I'm so glad I read this play.