Reviews

The Piano Lesson by August Wilson

kirahvireads's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

It was a chilling read that also makes you reflect on black history.

bybemoulden's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

tschwinge's review against another edition

5.0

This. I have read many plays, this one, it's perfect. Wilson's signature language--his incredible ability to pick up the poetry of everyday colloquial speech and combine it with transcendent phrases on par with Shakespeare is on full display. The simplicity of items--a piano, a truck full of watermelons and a ghost--two of which the audience never see--create together enough to make high drama out of the ordinary in the most beautiful way imaginable. All of this family's history is tied to African-American history and connect to the present moments live on stage (as least in my mind as I read it), the metaphysical world of ghosts, curses and spells weaves it's way through the everyday concerns of money, dreams and lost love. All of Wilson's plays are incredible, but this one, wow. I was exhausted from reading it in the best possible way. Brilliant. I hope somewhere there's a production of it soon.

genevieverousseau's review against another edition

4.0

this was incredible to watch and incredible to read

jennifermreads's review against another edition

4.0

Since her husband died, Berniece has not played the ornate family piano. When her brother Boy Willie arrives at Berniece’s house, he is set on selling the piano so he can purchase land and farm it. Berniece is steadfast in wanting to keep the piano whose intricate carvings detail their family’s history.

Sometimes, the only way one can glimpse a life not like your own is through theater or television. August Wilson had a tremendous talent for placing readers and viewers right in the middle of the drama. One cannot help but feel like a fly on the wall. This particular play was another insightful look at the African-American family. I may have to see if I can stream The Piano Lesson movie version starring Charles S. Dutton and Alfre Woodard. Plays are always better seen rather than read. So, as this was a good read, it ought to be a tremendous production.

kimberly_levaco's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

A superbly crafted drama about whether or not letting your past define you is beneficial to your self and your legacy

vacv98's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

3.0

smalefowles's review against another edition

4.0

Ghosts seem to be such an essential part of drama--a seeming paradox in a visual medium. Yet they can perform a variety of necessary functions. Most importantly, as here, they function as an airtight metaphor for how the past inflects and shapes the present, particularly a dark, bloody, or oppressive past.

moseslh's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved "The Piano Lesson." I had watched film adaptations of "[b:Fences|539282|Fences (The Century Cycle, #6)|August Wilson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481833774l/539282._SY75_.jpg|60745]" and "[b:Ma Rainey's Black Bottom|516792|Ma Rainey's Black Bottom|August Wilson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439819148l/516792._SY75_.jpg|504726]," both of which were excellent, but this was my first time reading an August Wilson play. In "The Piano Lesson," a Black family in Pittsburgh is paid a surprise visit by a relative from the South. Their subsequent conflict centers on a beautiful grand piano. Their enslaved grandfather had carved images of their family history into the piano when asked to decorate it by his owner. After abolition, white men killed their father while he was in the process of taking the piano back for his family. The characters debate the symbolic value of the piano versus its financial value, the desire to own their own history versus owning their own land. The legacy of slavery looms large throughout the play, and the debates highlight differing views of what freedom means and how best to pursue it. Some of the best parts are the monologues that occur periodically, anecdotes of family history that illuminate and contextualize the tensions between the characters as well as the continued echoes of slavery that continue to (literally) haunt them. I would highly recommend reading or watching this play to anyone.

schenkelberg's review against another edition

3.0

I don't typically read plays, but I got a copy of The Piano Lesson from the English teacher I've just started volunteering with, and I must say I really enjoyed the read. It'll be interesting to hear discussion from the class of high school students about it.