mccormick23's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lily08's review
challenging
informative
reflective
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
3.5
bythecover's review
2.0
I’m so sorry to rate this book so low, I just rate based on how I’m feeling so i can keep track of how I felt about a book when I read it. I have no doubt this is full of meaning that I’m just not getting, and I’m really interested in learning more about it but yeah, I think overall this is a good example of how sometimes it’s better to see a play than to read it
losethegirl's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This play is weird. It's weird in a lot of ways, but most of them are pretty good. This is technically a reread, but the first time I read the play I was closer to scanning than actively reading.
I would have loved to see the whole performance in action, I think that there's a huge element missing when it's just read off of a page, especially a play with relatively minimal stage direction.
The naming aspect of the play was particularly interesting, and I think played in well with the theme of rewriting white America's history. The choices were novel and punny, I really liked the use of the "Foundling" father.
The play beginning with grave digging offered a poignant metaphor about the reality of life and history in America -- culture being dead before it's even begun.
The absurdist elements of the play also enhance its overall message. I was particularly interested in the number of lines that had a speaker, but no context. The speech elements of this play were also interesting, with lines other being page-long monologues or one-liners.
The characters felt unfinished, but I think that added to the overall "vibe" of the play, that the American project is never truly finished.
Overall, I'd recommend this show to anyone interested in exploring a rare work of absurdism based in America and critiques of colonialism. Lori-Parks works always require a little bit of extra thinking, so this isn't something to sit down with expecting a light read.
I would have loved to see the whole performance in action, I think that there's a huge element missing when it's just read off of a page, especially a play with relatively minimal stage direction.
The naming aspect of the play was particularly interesting, and I think played in well with the theme of rewriting white America's history. The choices were novel and punny, I really liked the use of the "Foundling" father.
The play beginning with grave digging offered a poignant metaphor about the reality of life and history in America -- culture being dead before it's even begun.
The absurdist elements of the play also enhance its overall message. I was particularly interested in the number of lines that had a speaker, but no context. The speech elements of this play were also interesting, with lines other being page-long monologues or one-liners.
The characters felt unfinished, but I think that added to the overall "vibe" of the play, that the American project is never truly finished.
Overall, I'd recommend this show to anyone interested in exploring a rare work of absurdism based in America and critiques of colonialism. Lori-Parks works always require a little bit of extra thinking, so this isn't something to sit down with expecting a light read.
jonh's review
3.0
I like this play a lot.
I don't think I understand much of it, but I like it, like the mood and the atmosphere and the feeling it evokes. It's something I'd like to see performed someday.
Suzan-Lori Parks is a fabulous playwright and her most famous work Topdog/Underdog, is a must-read. But absolutely check out The America Play. It's stunning.
I don't think I understand much of it, but I like it, like the mood and the atmosphere and the feeling it evokes. It's something I'd like to see performed someday.
Suzan-Lori Parks is a fabulous playwright and her most famous work Topdog/Underdog, is a must-read. But absolutely check out The America Play. It's stunning.
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