marinatedpenguin's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
readereaterr's review against another edition
4.0
*Les Blancs
5th star is retained due to the story not completely being Hansberry’s. I have something against creative work being released posthumously. I receive it as exploitation. Being that I’ve read the play, I appreciate it. It’s powerful and profound, but unfortunately suffers at the tail end due to what can only be intervention by Nemiroff to pull together the intended ending. It begs the question of what the play would look like if Hansberry was able to finish it. A far better written ending is undeniable in this imagined reality.
5th star is retained due to the story not completely being Hansberry’s. I have something against creative work being released posthumously. I receive it as exploitation. Being that I’ve read the play, I appreciate it. It’s powerful and profound, but unfortunately suffers at the tail end due to what can only be intervention by Nemiroff to pull together the intended ending. It begs the question of what the play would look like if Hansberry was able to finish it. A far better written ending is undeniable in this imagined reality.
salmonread's review against another edition
5.0
Book Riot 2016 Read Harder Challenge #23: Read a play
stacydt's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
lj03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
leelulah's review against another edition
3.0
The first and last play here are the most interesting, in fact the absurdist tone of the third, was very impressive as it had one character fruitlessly trying to rebuild the meaning of life in the face of destruction.
I shall review the first since it's what I read as a part of the PopSugar Challenge
25. A book about a family
"TSHEMBE: You'd approve of Okele, Eric. He got two girls in a fix: one European and one black American. And he sent them both to an East Indian abortionist. (He laughs and sets back). "
A common point to focus on when discussing Les Blancs is Hansberry's visceral reply to Jean Genet's Les Noires. In her problematic portrayal of Catholicism through Abioseh's vocation to the priesthood, formulated in terms of acceptance of the Supreme morality of humankind, and the supposed exaltation of Tshembe's ways there seems to be more than meets the eye. It is sadly a posthumous play finished by her late husband, so we'll never know what kind of end she would have written instead.
Ultimately, Tshembe's motives for revolution and self-awareness bring him to slaughtering his own blood.
I shall review the first since it's what I read as a part of the PopSugar Challenge
25. A book about a family
"TSHEMBE: You'd approve of Okele, Eric. He got two girls in a fix: one European and one black American. And he sent them both to an East Indian abortionist. (He laughs and sets back). "
A common point to focus on when discussing Les Blancs is Hansberry's visceral reply to Jean Genet's Les Noires. In her problematic portrayal of Catholicism through Abioseh's vocation to the priesthood, formulated in terms of acceptance of the Supreme morality of humankind, and the supposed exaltation of Tshembe's ways there seems to be more than meets the eye. It is sadly a posthumous play finished by her late husband, so we'll never know what kind of end she would have written instead.
Ultimately, Tshembe's motives for revolution and self-awareness bring him to slaughtering his own blood.
losethegirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Lorraine Hansberry's writing has always haunted me in a way that I can't quite explain. While I didn't love this piece as much as A Raisin in the Sun, I appreciated a lot of the elements, and Hansberry's signature writing style. This is a show that you definitely have to see to understand the full magnitude; I found myself rethinking the way that I'd thought about lines and the show as a whole after watching a production on Drama Online. Hansberry's imaginative stage directions truly are brought to light by directors in a way that my imagination never could live up to.
The show's takes on colonialism were harrowing. They definitely made me feel uncomfortable and got me thinking.
My favourite of the plays contained in the book was definitely "What Use are Flowers?". The dialogue and stage direction read like poetry, which I really enjoyed -- I'll definitely be returning to this particular play many times over.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the genre of straight plays, but definitely suggest reading Raisin in the Sun first.
The show's takes on colonialism were harrowing. They definitely made me feel uncomfortable and got me thinking.
My favourite of the plays contained in the book was definitely "What Use are Flowers?". The dialogue and stage direction read like poetry, which I really enjoyed -- I'll definitely be returning to this particular play many times over.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good read. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the genre of straight plays, but definitely suggest reading Raisin in the Sun first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Xenophobia, War, Racism, and Slavery
kennethwade's review
5.0
I’m so happy to have read this collection of 3 plays by the amazing Lorraine Hansberry. Each of the plays is totally different and offers its own universe to explore and ponder. Hansberry is great at fleshing out her characters and raising questions about morality and humanity as a whole.
Les Blancs details an uprising against colonialism in an African country. The Drinking Gourd follows a group of slaves and the white family that owns them on a plantation. What Use Are Flowers? is a post apocalyptic play in which an old hermit returns to civilization and takes it upon himself to educate the last surviving human children.
Each of these plays is full of complexity and shades of gray, providing plenty opportunity for thought and discussion. I am truly honored to live in a universe in which Hansberry did too.
5 out of 5
Les Blancs details an uprising against colonialism in an African country. The Drinking Gourd follows a group of slaves and the white family that owns them on a plantation. What Use Are Flowers? is a post apocalyptic play in which an old hermit returns to civilization and takes it upon himself to educate the last surviving human children.
Each of these plays is full of complexity and shades of gray, providing plenty opportunity for thought and discussion. I am truly honored to live in a universe in which Hansberry did too.
5 out of 5
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