Reviews

night, Mother by Marsha Norman

lisawhelpley's review against another edition

4.0

Wow. This was heavy. I've never seen it or read it before. Not sure I'd ever want to see this on stage.

avareads_books's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

hachigold's review against another edition

5.0

Fantastic work of theatre, would love to see it produced some day.

sr_yancey's review

It’s ironic that my dad was the one to recommend this to me. If I’d read this play even two months ago, it would be a very different story (no pun intended).

I have so many more thoughts about this play, but they’re rather personal, so I’ll save them for somewhere else. Safe to say this is in my favorite reads, though.

lesh_74's review against another edition

4.0

This is a fairly short play that won't take long to read, the pace is kept tight and there aren't any lulls as the conversation maintains an intensity that kept me gripped. As the reader, and passive observer, the subject matter the book dealt with steered me into listening from the mother's point of view and wishing that she would change her daughters mind, as a society we are aligned to the idea that suicide is never the answer and there is always a way to deal with even the darkest times in life as things always get better. The 'problem' here is that Jessie (the daughter) is very convincing in her reasoning for deciding to die and this will have you invested in the play and questioning your own thoughts and beliefs about the taboo of suicide.

A highly recommended book, however, if you are triggered in any way by the subject of suicide or you are feeling low then it would be better to give this book a miss.

If you need help or someone to talk to, please call:
UK, Samaritans: 116 123
USA, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

divineauthor's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“JESSIE: I didn’t want you to save me. I just wanted you to know.” —page 74

this was a GUT PUNCH of a play. no wonder it won a pulizter 😭 my insides feel like they’ve been razored. 

mina's review against another edition

Wow

anjumstar's review against another edition

4.0

Not for the faint of heart. This story is heartbreaking from beginning to end, but that is why it is so good. It's so well done--so uniquely done--and so accurate all throughout. The characterization of Jessie and Mama makes them real people that you can imagine fighting for survival in the real world. And that's where the pain comes from. I don't want to give any spoilers (the back of the play pulls that off pretty well), but I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who goes to the theatre to feel things. To feel everything.

acresofclams's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Medical content

ashleyling's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5