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rubyrush's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
lifepath7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death and War
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Very intense and quick read. Perfect for a study in post-colonialism. This play expertly discusses the division between two cultures that don't understand each other and don't necessarily want to understand each other. Each character wonderfully represents an aspect of concepts such as la mestiza and colonialism.
leighe's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ixmcmxcii's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful narrative of post colonialism and it's effect. But putting a pin in that, it a great play just as a play. Greek conceits of theatre are used very effectively and gives us powerful scenes. Highly recommend it.
annepw's review against another edition
3.0
I don't think I have enough of the cultural context to understand this play, but Soyinka is clearly a badass. His author's note here is among the all-time greats. I appreciate this play for its nuanced look at a practice often condemned out of hand.
joyful24's review against another edition
4.0
MY KINSMEN WOE ME WITH THEIR WORDS: her eyes were new laid eggs glowing in the dark
the waters of the bitter stream are hone to a man whose tongue has savoured all.
the regrets of life always come later.
what you have no intention of eating should not be held up to your nose.
how boldly the lizard struts before the pigeon when it was the eagle itself he
promised us he would confront.
yet another error into which you people fall. you believe that everything which
appears to make sense was learnt from you.
therapy british style. the preservation of sanity in the midst of chaos..others would
call it decadence.
memory is master of death, the chink in his armour of conceit.
bed-bug who wages war on the mat and receives the thanks of the vanquished!
on top of that you have the drama and imagery that is yoruba theatre captured in 77 pages. i mean life is a marketplace. much of the play happens in a market place. the iyaolja is the voice of reason. in a very loqacious language she warns pride comes before a fall and your as chief obalumi says: you don't get everything you pay for but you pay for everything you get. (you pay for wares at the market). egungun are dancing. although its an act of descreation of ancestoral masque carried out by the imperative colonial discourse. which one is truly civilized the imperialist who scoffs at all things "primitive", the heathens who hold on to traditions against great ridicule, the converts who internalize foreign ways but still respect their traditions or the turncoats who denounce all that was once deemed scared? imprisonment (literally a man is imprisoned against his will and the will of the people under the guise that it is for his own protection. figeratively the british think themselves more evoled than the africans, but really are more worst for the wear. the africans are subject to britsih rule. duty is the tie that binds. "life is honour. honor ends with life."
the waters of the bitter stream are hone to a man whose tongue has savoured all.
the regrets of life always come later.
what you have no intention of eating should not be held up to your nose.
how boldly the lizard struts before the pigeon when it was the eagle itself he
promised us he would confront.
yet another error into which you people fall. you believe that everything which
appears to make sense was learnt from you.
therapy british style. the preservation of sanity in the midst of chaos..others would
call it decadence.
memory is master of death, the chink in his armour of conceit.
bed-bug who wages war on the mat and receives the thanks of the vanquished!
on top of that you have the drama and imagery that is yoruba theatre captured in 77 pages. i mean life is a marketplace. much of the play happens in a market place. the iyaolja is the voice of reason. in a very loqacious language she warns pride comes before a fall and your as chief obalumi says: you don't get everything you pay for but you pay for everything you get. (you pay for wares at the market). egungun are dancing. although its an act of descreation of ancestoral masque carried out by the imperative colonial discourse. which one is truly civilized the imperialist who scoffs at all things "primitive", the heathens who hold on to traditions against great ridicule, the converts who internalize foreign ways but still respect their traditions or the turncoats who denounce all that was once deemed scared? imprisonment (literally a man is imprisoned against his will and the will of the people under the guise that it is for his own protection. figeratively the british think themselves more evoled than the africans, but really are more worst for the wear. the africans are subject to britsih rule. duty is the tie that binds. "life is honour. honor ends with life."
debbie_likes_to_read_books's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, so I read this play for school and it was pretty confusing and I had to re-read scenes because of the large use of language. Honestly, we knew Elesin was going to die but at the same time, there he was, and that ending had me shocked which is why it's a 2-star rating. I was originally going to give it a 1 star, 1.5, but I am going to give it 2 stars. Yes, the language is poetic and sophisticated so its hard to understand (riddles as to how pickling would say). The plot was kind of confusing and I wouldn't have purchased let alone read this if it wasn't for a class I am taking. I can't wait to see this performed though and hopefully, once I see it I will understand it a bit more. I am also looking forward to my class seminar to discuss the play and see if I can understand this play more.
etiennevdgraaf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.75