morenowagain's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Suicide and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse
autiquarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Lesbophobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Body shaming
readingisadoingword's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this as part of #12PlaysIn12Months.
This was not a play or story I was familiar with but after doing some research, I discovered it was based on true events in an Edinburgh boarding school in 1810.
Karen and Martha are two friends who jointly run the Wright-Dobie school for girls. After being punished, manipulative pupil Mary Tilford seeks revenge on her teachers and concocts a story about their having a lesbian affair. Mary coerces fellow pupils into corroborating her story and devastating consequences ensue.
Written in 1934 the play reflects the views of its time- the accusation of lesbianism is met with horror and disgust, eventually resulting in the school's ruin and Karen and Martha becoming social pariahs.
There is a lot to unpack in this small play - the power of a rumour, the danger of self-righteous indignation, the insidiousness of doubt and mistrust, the consequences of vindictive lies, societally induced shame and the uncompromising expectation of conformity.
Peripheral characters such as Aunt Lily, Grandmother Amelia and Dr Joe all embody different reactions -cowardice, horror and doubt.
This was a thought provoking read -one which could easily apply to our social media saturated, scandal mongering times.
This was not a play or story I was familiar with but after doing some research, I discovered it was based on true events in an Edinburgh boarding school in 1810.
Karen and Martha are two friends who jointly run the Wright-Dobie school for girls. After being punished, manipulative pupil Mary Tilford seeks revenge on her teachers and concocts a story about their having a lesbian affair. Mary coerces fellow pupils into corroborating her story and devastating consequences ensue.
Written in 1934 the play reflects the views of its time- the accusation of lesbianism is met with horror and disgust, eventually resulting in the school's ruin and Karen and Martha becoming social pariahs.
There is a lot to unpack in this small play - the power of a rumour, the danger of self-righteous indignation, the insidiousness of doubt and mistrust, the consequences of vindictive lies, societally induced shame and the uncompromising expectation of conformity.
Peripheral characters such as Aunt Lily, Grandmother Amelia and Dr Joe all embody different reactions -cowardice, horror and doubt.
This was a thought provoking read -one which could easily apply to our social media saturated, scandal mongering times.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Suicide
molslittlelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Homophobia
jessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
eunicez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Homophobia, and Bullying
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