kurtwombat's review against another edition
4.0
James Baldwin's first play is as much a tender revalation of both sides of the racial divide as it is a scathing broadside against racism. Wonderful speeches never feel forced as each character is given a honest voice. A young black man murdered in a small southern town...everyone is complicit...even the victim. And everyone, in the end, is a victim. Baldwin as always expresses what it is to be human.
robhughes's review against another edition
5.0
I read this at the same time I revisited To Kill a Mockingbird, and Baldwin's play is an effective antidote to Harper Lee's novel. Baldwin explores both white and black perspectives, he works with ambiguity and hypocrisy, he creates characters that feel flawed and real, he explores sexuality and hate, he's speaking about an issue that's still relevant today. He's angry, but so is everyone else and there's a sense that this anger only perpetuates itself. The ending is damning for its lack of crescendo, but the play is valuable because of that.
fae269's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
christineliu's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-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
4.0
lapuce1006's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
1.0
nimala's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
catladyreba's review against another edition
3.0
This didn't resonate with me as much as Baldwin's novels and essays. I wonder if I'm just not creative enough to visualize the staging, and the actors. However, it is Baldwin, it is still powerful, and sadly, still entirely too relevant.