gsroney's review against another edition
3.0
“We all know that something is eternal. And it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars . . . everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years and yet you’d be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being.”
ncostell's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
noelle_tofigh's review against another edition
5.0
Somehow this little play is still timely and true. It may be the definition of “illuminating the mundane” and just what this jaded reader needed to soften my heart and remind me of the power of good, strong writing in all forms—novels, plays, poetry, music…
caroline__b's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
tanishah's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bekkajmills's review against another edition
5.0
This is by far my favorite play. I absolutely love the message it portrays and the simplicity of its production.
slyxxi's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Absolutely terrible reading experience. Only thing going for it is that it's so short. Go see it performed instead; it's much better and actually funny that way.
pomoevareads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this short play in anticipation of Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake which I am reading now. I am certain there is a surge of people reading this play again or for the first time because of the references to it in Patchett’s book.
Do we appreciate life while living it? That is the crux of the play, told in three acts. Wilder has brought the viewer/reader to Grover’s Corners, a fictional town of 2642 people to view everyday life over three time periods and life events. Narrowing its’ focus on two families, the Gibbs and the Webbs, we are party to the mundanes of daily life as well as marriage, love and death.
Wilder has aptly and creatively spoken so much about human existence in a relatively short play. I loved the use of minimal characters and a set that requires some imagination from the audience.
Overall, I am happy to have read this play for its own quality and merit and look forward to returning to it in my mind while reading Tom Lake.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death