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mariekejee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't understand how I keep accidentally reading stories about women's autonomy - I'm not complaining, but it's starting to become suspicious. I was gifted a recording of this book by the audiobook app Audrey through a giveaway, for which my thanks. The recording is great - the actors are great, it's performed as a play but completely understandable in audio format, and hearing the audience laugh in the background is a fun addition.
As for the story itself: for a play written by a man in the 19th century, it is a surprisingly feminist one. This is the story of Nora Helmer, who we initially see as a frivolous and cheerful woman, happily married with lovely children, but come to understand as being coddled and confined in her marriage. She is not being taken seriously by her husband, rather seen as a pretty thing to take care of, the same as she was treated by her father. It takes a great crisis for her to realise this, and to reclaim her autonomy.
The ending is a surprising but powerful one:after hearing the anxiety she suffered through most of the play, even willing to drown herself, I had expected her to be elated at Thorvald's forgiveness, but she shows a surprising amount of reflection and strength. I'm a sucker for happy endings, and while I feel for Thorvald and their kids, I believe it is the best ending possible for Nora . I appreciate a piece of Victorian era-literature that is so willing to challenge the idea that a woman's purpose is more than just to be a good mother and wife, and I believe this play succeeded phenomenally in this.
As for the story itself: for a play written by a man in the 19th century, it is a surprisingly feminist one. This is the story of Nora Helmer, who we initially see as a frivolous and cheerful woman, happily married with lovely children, but come to understand as being coddled and confined in her marriage. She is not being taken seriously by her husband, rather seen as a pretty thing to take care of, the same as she was treated by her father. It takes a great crisis for her to realise this, and to reclaim her autonomy.
The ending is a surprising but powerful one:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
mixuchi's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
thewhitebat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
bookerbride's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Xenophobia
andrea_h111's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Upon my second reread, I find it made a lot more sense, probably because I'm a year and a half older. I still didn't particularly love it, but I understand its significance to the cultural world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
cla_ri_ce's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
maddiec_ma's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
avenx's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
piastri's review against another edition
3.75
helmer but nobody sacrifices his honour for the one he loves
nora hundreds of thousands of women have
helmer oh, you think and talk like a stupid child
nora all right. but you neither think nor talk like the man i would want to share my life with
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual harassment
ninahuynh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Why have I not read this play before!! Read this for my IB student and fell in love with Ibsen's commentary. Yass, Nora! Leave his ass and live your life >.<
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship