Scan barcode
ladybird44's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nftibbetts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As one drawn to extremes, I relished in the complexities and gray areas of the extremes presented in August: Osage County. The function of this play is to present dysfunction, namely through its central family—not a workplace or a friend group, but a blood relative family, which the play works to remind audiences of. Growing up, parents, children, and siblings mold eachother like clay, for better or worse—the Weston household of August: Osage County is one particular kiln where everyone gets a good look at one another's "pottery" and their cracks and chips.
Most entertaining about August: Osage County is the fact that most of these cracks and chips are either unknown and unseen or purposely hidden. The play paces itself so well that when they are revealed (or in some cases, grow until you can't ignore them), the result engages audiences through the revelations and actions of the characters. Overall, this play is an darkly comic and explosive triptych of what brings family together, what brings them apart, and what is left once it is gone.
Most entertaining about August: Osage County is the fact that most of these cracks and chips are either unknown and unseen or purposely hidden. The play paces itself so well that when they are revealed (or in some cases, grow until you can't ignore them), the result engages audiences through the revelations and actions of the characters. Overall, this play is an darkly comic and explosive triptych of what brings family together, what brings them apart, and what is left once it is gone.
iampotassium's review against another edition
4.0
This play made me laugh a lot and grimace a lot more. When it was over, I was sad about everything and then had really weird dreams. On the other hand, despite the fact that this family is crazy, I think it does a good job describing family interactions.
__lv__'s review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not since [b:Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?|14940|Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?|Edward Albee|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327962277s/14940.jpg|461400]have I come across such a dysfunctional family. This family mudslings and harbors deceit in pretty hefty doses. And true to life, once all of the toxic resentment surfaces, it leaves the readers with unsettling questions about how everything turns out. No one is able to, or attempts to take back what they’ve said. And no one leaves living happily ever after. For some, it may have been better to be kept in the dark. Mental note: book flight to Hawaii this Thanksgiving!
danatorrente's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal read that deserves every bit of praise it has received. As a play it says so much about all of its characters through dialogue alone. This close up view on broken family life says so much in such little action. From the back and forth between Violet and Barbra to all of the sub family members turns and twists, this is truly a genius of a play.
suemar's review against another edition
4.0
Short Book Book Club read. Perfectly chaotic. 4.5 but rounding down to 4.
dan_ronan's review against another edition
4.0
Read this because it was mentioned in the Station Eleven miniseries on HBO. Weird play. Wish I could see an actual performance, but might watch the movie. Just weird.
read_all_nite's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most intense plays I've ever experienced. I was fortunate enough to see it performed during its original run at the Steppenwolf in Chicago, so I read the play in the shadow of having seen it masterfully performed. Right up there with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Really. It's that good.