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lilyevangeline's review against another edition
4.0
I read it. I was confused.
Then I saw it, and I was moved--perhaps more than that, convicted or charged or maybe pinned down. It's one thing to read a difficult book alone in your room. It's another thing to see it in a movie with a few other people. But it's something else entirely to witness it in a big dark room with a hundred other people, all watching live people act it in real time. These are people you have to make eye contact with afterwards, and it's like there's something behind the conversation now--uniting you. You know that they, like you, have witnessed the same things you have. And even if you don't know what you're going to do with, you'd know you'd like to watch and see what they do with it.
But my thoughts at the moment are muffled behind a general lack of sleep and tectonic shifts in my being. I shall give more thoughts, better thoughts, at a time when I can properly think them.
Then I saw it, and I was moved--perhaps more than that, convicted or charged or maybe pinned down. It's one thing to read a difficult book alone in your room. It's another thing to see it in a movie with a few other people. But it's something else entirely to witness it in a big dark room with a hundred other people, all watching live people act it in real time. These are people you have to make eye contact with afterwards, and it's like there's something behind the conversation now--uniting you. You know that they, like you, have witnessed the same things you have. And even if you don't know what you're going to do with, you'd know you'd like to watch and see what they do with it.
But my thoughts at the moment are muffled behind a general lack of sleep and tectonic shifts in my being. I shall give more thoughts, better thoughts, at a time when I can properly think them.
tracithomas's review against another edition
5.0
Well damn, that’s how you write a play. It’s nothing fancy it’s just incredible execution. Emotion. Language. Relationships. With the right actors and direction I know this play soars.
kimberly_levaco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
An emotionally complex devastating real portrait of life post civil war. One of Wilson’s best works!
jerseyfemme's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A black gem!
spearingsam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
jerrica's review against another edition
5.0
Wilson wrote a play to represent each decade of the 20th century from the black perspective and this play treats the 1st decade of the 20th century. For a short play, or at the very least a short reading, it presents a great many ideas about belonging, identity and fluidity thereof, origins, and the lengths one goes to "wash" one soul's clean.
naomi41's review against another edition
5.0
This is arguably one of the best books in Wilson's Pittsburgh century cycle. His writing style amazes me in so many ways because of his ability to captivate the essence of Africa-Americans each decade, as America changes either for the better or for the worst, and whether or not the Black America correlates with that. The primary novel starts off with Aunt Ester, a 285 year old spiritual woman who gives guidance to those around her. Her maturity and wise aura growing up in slavery for over 200 years, and trying to learn what it feels like to be free. Through her journey, she comes and tries to help those around her such as Black Mary, Citizen Barlow, Solly Two Kings, Eli and Selig; and unfortunately failing at breaking through Caesar, the antagonist of the novel whose determination to go through with the rule of law sets him apart in more ways than just a cruel person. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys plays, and would love to get into the series as well!
william_sg's review against another edition
5.0
Literally shouted “FUCK YEAH!” at the ending. Citizen rules. A perfect play. I want to see this one adapted next!