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laguerrelewis's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is not what I expected it to be. In a way, I think that is intentional, or at the very least a funny coincidence. We Play Ourselves deconstructs expectations: of success, of failure, of truthfulness, of art-making, of who we are. Labels come up several times, both self-imposed and externally-assigned. A beautiful exploration of figuring out what you do when things donβt go to plan, Jen Silverman manages to bring a theatrical sense of life and character to this novel, depressing and inspiring and incredibly personal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia, Drug use, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
caseythereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
π I think WE PLAY OURSELVES isn't going to be for everyone - it's a bit wandering, almost none of the characters are likable, there's some really horrific stuff happening in the name of art - but I LOVED IT.
π This book is like PLAIN BAD HEROINES + PIZZA GIRL.
π I felt Cass on a few levels - trying to make art work, trying to find yourself by dropping out of your life, being an elder millennial trying to understand the universe young queer people live in - whewwww!
π Everybody is such a mess, but in a way that feels true to life. I've known (and sometimes been) these women trying to figure out where they belong and how to exist.
π There is a painful two-pronged critique of the art world: one thread about how tastemakers jump on what they think is new and cutting edge but it's really the same stuff repackaged in a more soul-crushing way, and another thread about how people in power will put that pain on display and mine it for profit, even when the creator is visibly suffering.
π There's also some really good stuff about tokenism and molding people to fit the story in your mind. I do want to point out what at first seems like some nasty asexual rep, but I do think it's pushed back on as much as possible in the moment (and it feeds back into my previous point about people in distress not getting the support they need).
π This book is like PLAIN BAD HEROINES + PIZZA GIRL.
π I felt Cass on a few levels - trying to make art work, trying to find yourself by dropping out of your life, being an elder millennial trying to understand the universe young queer people live in - whewwww!
π Everybody is such a mess, but in a way that feels true to life. I've known (and sometimes been) these women trying to figure out where they belong and how to exist.
π There is a painful two-pronged critique of the art world: one thread about how tastemakers jump on what they think is new and cutting edge but it's really the same stuff repackaged in a more soul-crushing way, and another thread about how people in power will put that pain on display and mine it for profit, even when the creator is visibly suffering.
π There's also some really good stuff about tokenism and molding people to fit the story in your mind. I do want to point out what at first seems like some nasty asexual rep, but I do think it's pushed back on as much as possible in the moment (and it feeds back into my previous point about people in distress not getting the support they need).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, and Homophobia
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