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sammilynnebob's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
kasspierce's review
Just read Rhinoceros. Will update if I go back to read the others.
cantordustbunnies's review
3.0
A misanthropic collection of plays in which people are portrayed as being easily influenced by each other and the only thing more dumb than the individual is the collective. Ionesco's usage of the absurd/surreal makes the tone more playful than bitter though. There's a hallucinatory quality to these works which a director could certainly play on to great effect and under the correct conditions they could be a great mixture of funny and disturbing. Ultimately I found them to be highfalutin in a snotty, hipster, academic kind of way which admittedly isn't always a bad thing. They're entertaining as quirky oddities but unless if you have some special interest in avant-garde theatre I wouldn't say that they're especially memorable to read. I think a lot of their appeal and impact depends upon how they are staged. I appreciate anyone who is willing to step outside the box and take risks and there is something interesting and likeable about these plays, they make me feel inspired to translate them on to stage. I'm torn between thinking they’re pretentious and embarrassingly eccentric or darkly comic and ahead of their time.
chloesgl's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A ton of fun, though maybe that's just the political science major in me thoroughly enjoying the political commentary. It is, unfortunately, more relevant than ever.
abuliast's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dinovi_g's review
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
It’s an interesting play that speaks on relevant topics which we can still create a parallel with today’s society. On the other hand it’s a very hard to read if you don’t have any knowledge of the historical background as the historical context is necessary to understanding its full meaning. I would say the play would be more enjoyable watched then read.
mrssloan's review against another edition
4.0
Absurd and wild: my sister-in-law says it’s way better to see on stage than to read, and I hope to get the opportunity one day. As always with any text written amidst the spread of fascism in the past, it is interesting when considering recent history. I feel like I need to be taking a class on this to glean all there is to glean.