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bookbeard's review against another edition
4.0
Wilson captures the pressures of the time; on race, gender, poverty, disability, and the connection between the artist and their art.
The setting of a blues recording studio becomes a pressure cooker of all of these societal limitations on these artists. Within the musicians talking and arguing and joking, they explore the different philosophical perspectives on race. Should they work for the betterment of African Americans through education and success within the system? Or should they fight and battle to obtain that equal treatment? Who does that work for and when? Is it authentic to code switch for white authority figures, or is that a betrayal of who they are?
The play is funny and heart wrenching and powerful. Teaching this text, our students connected with the pressure, and were drawing in by the action and the characters.
An excellent play that challenges the reader. I hope to some day see a live play performance. The film was also an excellent interpretation.
The setting of a blues recording studio becomes a pressure cooker of all of these societal limitations on these artists. Within the musicians talking and arguing and joking, they explore the different philosophical perspectives on race. Should they work for the betterment of African Americans through education and success within the system? Or should they fight and battle to obtain that equal treatment? Who does that work for and when? Is it authentic to code switch for white authority figures, or is that a betrayal of who they are?
The play is funny and heart wrenching and powerful. Teaching this text, our students connected with the pressure, and were drawing in by the action and the characters.
An excellent play that challenges the reader. I hope to some day see a live play performance. The film was also an excellent interpretation.
caitlincrabill's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mnboyer's review against another edition
4.0
August Wilson wrote a wonderful set of plays, all of which give great insight into different eras of African American culture. That being said--read all of the plays together. This is a great play, but perhaps not the "best" of the bunch.
tracithomas's review against another edition
4.0
The dialogue in this play is soooo damn good. August Wilson really captures these characters and their voices. The first 1/4 is pretty slow, but once things get moving, watch out. Also the ending is just jaw dropping good.
soundslikeashley's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't read a play in a few years, only attended them for a long while. To get back to reading them with this one at the end of the wild year 2020 has been... It's a sobering read. I felt EVERYTHING.
I felt the anger and the reasoning and the searching and the angst and the hopelessness and the fight and the suspicion. And I understood the self-built armor every character created for themselves. Some was easier to digest and tolerate than others but I understood it.
This is easily one of my favorite plays now and I am glad I got to read it before watching the production coming to Netflix.
When this pandemic is over I'm itching to see it onstage on Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway. However. Wherever.
I felt the anger and the reasoning and the searching and the angst and the hopelessness and the fight and the suspicion. And I understood the self-built armor every character created for themselves. Some was easier to digest and tolerate than others but I understood it.
This is easily one of my favorite plays now and I am glad I got to read it before watching the production coming to Netflix.
When this pandemic is over I'm itching to see it onstage on Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway. However. Wherever.
jujulemonade's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bybemoulden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
azazellos_fang's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0