Reviews

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage

pomegranatepanacea's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

annadrinksmilk's review against another edition

dark funny informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

lynn nottage has literally never once missed

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol

Moderate: Drug abuse, Racism, and Alcoholism

rosalindroe's review

emotional funny informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

callixton's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5

not_mike's review against another edition

5.0

Play.

Phenomenal.

mccormick23's review

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ameliabedelia's review

emotional funny fast-paced

4.5

constancetheeacademic's review

emotional funny reflective fast-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? No

5.0

Despite being funny and fast paced, Nottage does a great job showing the plight of early Black actresses in Hollywood and their struggles to earn a living, resist being typecast, and bring integrity to demeaning roles. There’s also a great parody of academics! 

haholmes's review

4.0

An interesting play about the complexities of passing, the success of black actresses, and academic perception of the film industry. It is definitely worth a read.

talypollywaly's review

funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I wish more people were aware of this work. It's a wonderful piece of historical fiction. If you're a fan of the film The Watermelon Woman (historical fiction and themes of searching for "the truth") this work is in the same vein.