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lenny002's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Loved the character of Jaya in the play. She's so strong and sarcastic and bold.
rats02's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
carsonbarson's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting premise, however this play stands solely as an example of good social commentary. The characters, aside from Jaya, don't have much depth to them at all. The ending made the play feel whole, however the journey to said ending transitioned rapidly from slow to rapid as far as pacing goes.
perjacxis's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I've never heard of this play before I saw it on the reading list for one of my seminars and I'm so glad that it was included there. I need a bit more time to gather my thoughts into clear sentences but this play impressed me a lot.
I've never heard of this play before I saw it on the reading list for one of my seminars and I'm so glad that it was included there. I need a bit more time to gather my thoughts into clear sentences but this play impressed me a lot.
abbiky's review against another edition
4.0
ENG175 Narrative Medicine - Book 7
Interesting dystopian about the consequences of advancing technology and organ donation!
Interesting dystopian about the consequences of advancing technology and organ donation!
kai3cll's review against another edition
5.0
Firstly, I hate this book.
It is good and dark. The extreme situations are used well to convey the realities of today; Wouldn't call it thought-provoking but more of a warning, a threat, a slap, and a reminder to move before it's too late.
It's the oscar-winning movie parasite on steroids. The class difference, the exploitation of resources, settler colonialism are various matters burned and scared with words in this.
It's a good book, I hate it.
It is good and dark. The extreme situations are used well to convey the realities of today; Wouldn't call it thought-provoking but more of a warning, a threat, a slap, and a reminder to move before it's too late.
It's the oscar-winning movie parasite on steroids. The class difference, the exploitation of resources, settler colonialism are various matters burned and scared with words in this.
It's a good book, I hate it.
jallands's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
I can't stop thinking about how this book illustrates the experiences of younger and older women surviving colonialism/capitalism. I also really appreciated how the author used technology in the play to directly address many themes, from the alienation of capitalists from the source of their "profit" to the role of surveillance in globalised capitalism.
shydodge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nocturnal__reader's review against another edition
5.0
Holy moly! This was a roller coaster in the true sense! I don't usually write reviews but damnit! I can't not write a review for this one. Although, it's more of a long-winded, incoherent rant. Firstly, the dialogues of the characters were so natural and believable. So ingeniously crafted, hats off! It was a page-turner. Kept me on the edge of my seat, frantically flipping through the pages to know what would transpire in the next scene. One thing that stood out to me personally was human hypocrisy. Om was so adamant and determined to sell his organs since he was the breadwinner of the family. He proclaims all that he has done for the family multiple times throughout the book but when the moment arrives for him to step up and keep true to his words, he falters miserably. He hides away cowardly and lets his brother be captured. This one moment in the play captures the fickle and hypocritical nature of human beings.
Also, Jaya was on roll throughout the play. Her dialogues and words were so witty and critical. She had the guts to point out her husband's foibles and she doesn't hesitate to speak up and put someone in their place. I was rooting for her. It was also interesting to see how Ma behaves after attaining gadgets and appliances that help her sit comfortably in one place without even moving a muscle. She stopped caring altogether and this kind of depicts how technology sometimes corrodes human relationships and bonds. Apart from the apparent themes, these are some of the things that stood out to me. It was messed-up but thought-provoking and riveting at the same time. So glad I decided to read this play! Utterly unforgettable.♡
Also, Jaya was on roll throughout the play. Her dialogues and words were so witty and critical. She had the guts to point out her husband's foibles and she doesn't hesitate to speak up and put someone in their place. I was rooting for her. It was also interesting to see how Ma behaves after attaining gadgets and appliances that help her sit comfortably in one place without even moving a muscle. She stopped caring altogether and this kind of depicts how technology sometimes corrodes human relationships and bonds. Apart from the apparent themes, these are some of the things that stood out to me. It was messed-up but thought-provoking and riveting at the same time. So glad I decided to read this play! Utterly unforgettable.♡
thedoozyreader's review against another edition
5.0
A gripping satirical sci-fi rendition of the relationship between the developed and developing countries, set in an imminent future. It showcases the life of a poverty-stricken family from the third world that agrees to a gruesome pact with a wealthy Westerner - giving the latter a power to harvest parts of their body whenever required. Manjula's characters are carefully etched out: from the condescending entitled westerner who is selfish to the extent of cannibalistic indifference, to the helpless donor who sees this as his only hope to survival, to his Mom who is mesmerized by the unimaginable luxuries they receive after the agreement.
One can see 'Harvest' as an effective metaphor for and critique of the extensive impact of capitalism on the third-world workers. The developing world provides cheap labor and raw materials for the first world which consumes it for its own survival and expansion. Pushed to her limits, Jaya's character, which undergoes a transformation to subvert the power dynamics, throws an optimistic light on an otherwise bleak future.
The world of 'Harvest', with its level of scientific advancement initially evoked a "yeah right" from me. But soon, one buys into its rationed nutrition pellets, its holographic apparitions, its self-sufficient Super-Deluxe video-couches, and all the other myriad dreadful possibilities. Manjula's world does not seem very far-fetched after all.
One can see 'Harvest' as an effective metaphor for and critique of the extensive impact of capitalism on the third-world workers. The developing world provides cheap labor and raw materials for the first world which consumes it for its own survival and expansion. Pushed to her limits, Jaya's character, which undergoes a transformation to subvert the power dynamics, throws an optimistic light on an otherwise bleak future.
The world of 'Harvest', with its level of scientific advancement initially evoked a "yeah right" from me. But soon, one buys into its rationed nutrition pellets, its holographic apparitions, its self-sufficient Super-Deluxe video-couches, and all the other myriad dreadful possibilities. Manjula's world does not seem very far-fetched after all.