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amandaalexandre's review against another edition
5.0
I don't like readin' plays. So, by start, I was biased against this work, but it is just amazing. So many plot twists, it makes your head spin.
Better review to come.
Better review to come.
tscott907's review against another edition
4.5
Intense, dark exploration of the violence that homophobia and the closet can inflict on people. Not since Briony in Atonement have I ever been so enraged by a tiny, lying blonde girl. Even though this play moves super fast and I had already seen the film adaptation earlier this year, I was still kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. Hellman balances intimacy with rage and sadness so well!
readlikefire's review against another edition
4.0
Devoured this! Thematically similar to John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, Arthur Miller's The Crucible, and the movie That's What I Am.
dan0's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
edavis0423's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
brandie185's review against another edition
4.0
The Children's Hour is a play that takes place mostly at an all girls school on the east coast in the 1950's.
One student, Mary, who is unhappy at the school, sets out to cause trouble. She wants to go back home and not stay at the school, so she decides to tell her grandma that the two young woman in charge are behaving inappropriately. Grandma instantly pulls her out and notifies the other parents.
A second student (who is all but forced to by Mary) corroborates the story.
And what have the woman done?
Did they beat the students? Not feed them? Not teach them? Make them do all the work like in Annie?
Nope.
They kissed.
Yep, Mary accuses them of being homosexuals and the you know what hits the fan.
Even though it's a lie, the damage is done.
Just a reminder of how the good old days weren't actually all that good.
One student, Mary, who is unhappy at the school, sets out to cause trouble. She wants to go back home and not stay at the school, so she decides to tell her grandma that the two young woman in charge are behaving inappropriately. Grandma instantly pulls her out and notifies the other parents.
A second student (who is all but forced to by Mary) corroborates the story.
And what have the woman done?
Did they beat the students? Not feed them? Not teach them? Make them do all the work like in Annie?
Nope.
They kissed.
Yep, Mary accuses them of being homosexuals and the you know what hits the fan.
Even though it's a lie, the damage is done.
Just a reminder of how the good old days weren't actually all that good.
themidnightbagel's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars*
Again, I read this for class and it was a fun little play. It reminded me of The Crucible at some parts, and I wasn't blown away by this but it was enjoyable to read and discuss for a couple of days.
Again, I read this for class and it was a fun little play. It reminded me of The Crucible at some parts, and I wasn't blown away by this but it was enjoyable to read and discuss for a couple of days.
sookieskipper's review against another edition
4.0
Hellman is absolutely brilliant in this play. A child plays a mean prank on two of her teachers, and the child's innocence is taken at its face value thus ruining careers of the two women. The dialogues are sharp, and the shifting power is heavy throughout the play. In the first act, the child, Mary is in control. With the lies she spreads and the control she exudes, she makes up the story about her teachers. The child's grandmother persecutes the teachers believing her granddaughter.
The play ends on a bitter note. It doesn't matter if the truth comes to light. Hellman's twist comes in the final act in the most natural way. Its remarkable how boldly she makes her characters confess to things they always hold so close to their chest.
The play ends on a bitter note. It doesn't matter if the truth comes to light. Hellman's twist comes in the final act in the most natural way. Its remarkable how boldly she makes her characters confess to things they always hold so close to their chest.
caffeinatedbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
That horrid little beast of a child, omg. I rarely wish bad things on anyone/anything (even fictional characters), but Mary is one of the few exceptions. She and Dolores Umbridge (from Harry Potter) can rot together, cursed with a myriad of ailments and woes, until they die.
*deep breaths to calm down*
Ok, this is one of the few plays I've read, and probably the most modern play I've ever even attempted to read. I'm just not a huge fan of most plays (The Bard's being a big exception), so I tend to not pick them up often. But, I've been trying to challenge myself to read outside my comfort zone, so I got this last time I went to the library. I almost wish I hadn't. I spent most of my reading time in a rage, wanting to crawl into the story and pummel Mary. She was such a vicious, horrible creature, and I hated her. She was so manipulative and abusive to the people around her, both peers and elders. I truly hated her and wanted her to suffer for what she was doing to people. I felt so awful for Karen and Martha, and what they went through. Their lives were destroyed because of a spoiled brat and they lost everything they'd worked so hard to create.I think I feel worst for Martha, though, because it wasn't even really a lie for her. Or at least she didn't seem to think it was at the end. My heart broke for her, and I wish things could have worked out differently. Even if Karen didn't feel the same way for her, maybe she could have eventually found love with someone who felt the same way about her, and been happy if Mary hadn't caused so much trouble.
*deep breaths to calm down*
Ok, this is one of the few plays I've read, and probably the most modern play I've ever even attempted to read. I'm just not a huge fan of most plays (The Bard's being a big exception), so I tend to not pick them up often. But, I've been trying to challenge myself to read outside my comfort zone, so I got this last time I went to the library. I almost wish I hadn't. I spent most of my reading time in a rage, wanting to crawl into the story and pummel Mary. She was such a vicious, horrible creature, and I hated her. She was so manipulative and abusive to the people around her, both peers and elders. I truly hated her and wanted her to suffer for what she was doing to people. I felt so awful for Karen and Martha, and what they went through. Their lives were destroyed because of a spoiled brat and they lost everything they'd worked so hard to create.
olive2read's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible and heartbreaking play about the power of words and the dangers of people meaning well.