lediamond4's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
I’ve only very recently discovered oral histories as reading material and I’m absolutely hooked. Is there a better way to learn and understand history than through the eyes of those who lived/experienced it?
Not only was this a compelling historical account of the AIDS crisis in America with social and political commentary, but I also learned so much about how plays are written and produced. There were many moving pieces and the authors put them all together almost seamlessly.
Not only was this a compelling historical account of the AIDS crisis in America with social and political commentary, but I also learned so much about how plays are written and produced. There were many moving pieces and the authors put them all together almost seamlessly.
threeara's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
What an absolute treat for anyone interested in theater in general or Angels in America in particular. It is such an entertaining read, I laughed out loud and I teared up I couldn't put it down. I'm glad I own a copy because I plan to return to this book.
anjumstar's review against another edition
5.0
Um, amazing. I never felt like I was in the mood to read this book (I had just finished the Daily Show oral history book, so I was fatigued on that style) but it always managed to suck me in. It must just be my love of this show, but getting any new grain of information about such a epic--and definitely, at times, confusing--show was incredible. I loved the little anecdotes that people were telling and the chapters about the characters, specifically, might have been my favorites. This book is a must-read for anyone who likes this show, and probably any theatre person. If you're a theatre person, you gotta know Angels in America.
tscott907's review against another edition
5.0
I knew this book was going to change my life because Angels changed my life, and I loved it. Expansive, heartfelt, honest reporting that is often very funny. So many different perspectives that were a delight to read. Everyone should read this book — just as everyone should read Angels — and then come talk to me so we can gush about both.
artytytyty's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes a play is truly this impactful and truly this good and you just have to interview 250 people who were involved with it/impacted by it and compile it into a book ya know... Incredible incredible read
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling oral history that highlights just how strongly this play affected the people involved in the various productions of it, the audiences, and the world at large. Its continuing impact cannot be overstated. The structure of the book is excellent: interviews with the actors, directors, and producers broken up with detailed examinations of each of the main characters of the play by the actors who portrayed them. Also, sidebars with acting students, teachers, critics and a timeline that includes key moments in the history of the play and in the political climate for each production. It's an oral history filled with respect and love, but also with heartache. You cannot separate the many, many lives lost to the AIDS epidemic from the force driving the play, and even today its messages resonate (surely more than we ever thought they would).
dkrane's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable and readable portrait of the history of angels. Don’t think it radically altered or challenged my understanding of the play, but it’s a nice fleshing out of the backstory behind one of the key American dramas.
claire60's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book, it works as an oral history of the playwright and the gay community as they respond to the Aids epidemic through creating art and also as a study guide to both the text of Angels in America but also the writing process and the staging (especially the staging!). It's wonderfully readable, entertaining and fascinating about the artistic process of the play's inception and it's numerous various productions from the minimalist show in Amsterdam to the glamour of Broadway. The social history helps the themes of the play come alive and the reflection on the different timings of the various productions shows how timeless the play is. This book is a fantastic companion to the play itself and essential for anyone involved in a production of Angels in America.
karibaumann's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve never seen the play, just watched the HBO movie. But I really enjoyed the oral history on Slate a couple of years ago, so I thought I’d check this out. It was very enjoyable and informative although it was easy to get a little lost with so many people. I didn’t care for the sidebar sections at the bottom - would have liked them in between chapters rather than having to flip back and forth. It was very fun to immerse myself in this book and this world for a couple of days.