Scan barcode
charlottesometimes's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marinaschulz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 Stars
This is not by any means one of Tennessee WIlliam's best plays, but its witty like if it were. On the one hand it definetly reads like a Tennessee play: the dialogue is smart, it has symbolism and call backs, and is definetly provocative as far as it portrays the relationship between men and women. On the other hand, its aged very poorly.
Maybe it came across as subversive in the 1950s, but right now it seems exploitative. Baby Doll is a living doll: she might be a player in the game amongst her husband and Silva, but she's foremost an object to be gained. Men love her because of her sexuality and she is as happy to admit as they are that she has nothing between her ears. And this, as well as her childlike naivité, is what makes her attractive to men. It's fetish-y. She is very passive throughout the play and basically transitions from one man (who mistreats her) to another (that she barely knows) .
I'd also like to add a note for racism: old-timey slurs versus Southern Europeans and Black People. The former is more in focus than the later and is strangely overt, like how Stanley Kowalski is criticized for being Polish.
There is an overarching plot, an ongoing symbolism regarding the cotton gin industry. Modernity vs stagnation, monetarily and morally. But the sex that drips from every page is clearly William's focus, and while it's incredibly well written its context feels objectifying and weird by modern standards.
This is not by any means one of Tennessee WIlliam's best plays, but its witty like if it were. On the one hand it definetly reads like a Tennessee play: the dialogue is smart, it has symbolism and call backs, and is definetly provocative as far as it portrays the relationship between men and women. On the other hand, its aged very poorly.
Maybe it came across as subversive in the 1950s, but right now it seems exploitative. Baby Doll is a living doll: she might be a player in the game amongst her husband and Silva, but she's foremost an object to be gained. Men love her because of her sexuality and she is as happy to admit as they are that she has nothing between her ears. And this, as well as her childlike naivité, is what makes her attractive to men. It's fetish-y. She is very passive throughout the play
I'd also like to add a note for racism: old-timey slurs versus Southern Europeans and Black People. The former is more in focus than the later and is strangely overt, like how Stanley Kowalski is criticized for being Polish.
There is an overarching plot, an ongoing symbolism regarding the cotton gin industry. Modernity vs stagnation, monetarily and morally. But the sex that drips from every page is clearly William's focus, and while it's incredibly well written its context feels objectifying and weird by modern standards.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Sexual violence
luckyluc27's review against another edition
1.0
To be honest, I only read this because a friend of mine is trying to get me to kick off from my book-buying-addiction by making me read 5-10 penguin pockets I still have on my shelve. I was interested in this one because Tenessee Williams is a pretty famous author, and it was written as a screenplay which I really like, but this book was (tho I could’ve kinda predicted that as it’s written in 1955) sexist and racist. Yeah I’m not sure what else to say, I threw this book about 12 times to my wall as I got annoyed by how the main character is portrayed as Dumb, naive, childish and easily manipulated
lauli's review against another edition
4.0
Count on Tennessee Williams for writing a smouldering tale of innocence, sex and revenge. Never disappoints!
francesmthompson's review against another edition
4.0
Boldly provocative and oddly perverted in equal measures, this is a frolic of a play and a fine introduction into the charm and character of Tennesse Williams' work.
More...