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readingisadoingword's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
W;t was another outstanding choice for the #12PlaysIn12Months readalong.
Professor Vivian Bearing has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. During the play, she narrates her experience of being treated in her university research hospital.
This is a short and sad play. Vivian is a dedicated and somewhat ruthless academic, an expert on the sonnets of John Donne. Her academic fervour leads to her agreeing to particularly agressive treatment, to contribute to the research at her university hospital.
The play examines the distance between research and humanity, between treatment and care and how sometimes we learn lessons too late. Wishing for kindness when it's not been something she herself doles out, causes Vivian to see the worth in the humanity of her Nurse in comparison to the detachment of the research intern and her doctor. Is she a human being or a research subject?
Vivian's character was not particularly likeable, but she didn't have to be. This play showed how cancer can humiliate and dehumanise someone and also how the smallest human gesture can mean so much.
A quick, impactful read.
Professor Vivian Bearing has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. During the play, she narrates her experience of being treated in her university research hospital.
This is a short and sad play. Vivian is a dedicated and somewhat ruthless academic, an expert on the sonnets of John Donne. Her academic fervour leads to her agreeing to particularly agressive treatment, to contribute to the research at her university hospital.
The play examines the distance between research and humanity, between treatment and care and how sometimes we learn lessons too late. Wishing for kindness when it's not been something she herself doles out, causes Vivian to see the worth in the humanity of her Nurse in comparison to the detachment of the research intern and her doctor. Is she a human being or a research subject?
Vivian's character was not particularly likeable, but she didn't have to be. This play showed how cancer can humiliate and dehumanise someone and also how the smallest human gesture can mean so much.
A quick, impactful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, and Death
sameeha_r05's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer
kelseyleigh_h's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness
julesadventurezone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, and Terminal illness
lemonkake's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Medical trauma
clrlilli's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
rachelditty's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully written. Had to read this for a class and I'm glad I got to experience it. Margaret Edson has a great writing style that flows nicely and makes for characters that interact in interesting ways. I'll be analyzing this text for class and have so much to say about it. Well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Vomit
crvciana's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Vomit
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