Reviews - The Rose Tattoo | The StoryGraph

37 reviews for:

The Rose Tattoo

Tennessee Williams

3.48 AVERAGE

danaegolding's review against another edition

4.5

dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

yukti_k's review against another edition

4.0

Williams plays always have a lot simmering under the surface. He paints a vivid picture of the surroundings and the people. This specific play also had a lot of humor and a happy ending unlike everything else I have read by him, which albeit isn't a lot. Serafina and Rosa's relationship is what sold this play to me. It is quite intense with Serafina clutching tightly to her daughter and Rosa rebelling. However, for the first time, we see the mother as the weak one and the daughter as the cruel and mean one. It made me cringe a few times when I would read the things she would say to her mother. Additionally, Alvaro is such a character. He is basically a bumbling fool who is perfect for Serafina's uncaring, oblivious and somewhat diva-ish character. Overall, I am still trying to process some of the core ideas hiding underneath regarding Williams' commentary on infidelity and the significance of the rose tattoo. But that's the best way to end a piece of art...with unanswered thought-provoking questions!

sydneymh's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

evvyyreads_'s review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

spi_nks's review against another edition

5.0

Despite the structure issues, I'm pleased to say I've found simply a heroine in Serafina. Far from elegant, her charm lies within her constant desire to live a full life after her husbands death. I found her incredibly relatable, utterly hilarious, and extraordinarily human. If you ever get the rare chance to see this piece of work on stage, run. On its feet it's so full of life its almost seems criminal.

amgel's review against another edition

3.5

hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

duffypratt's review against another edition

2.0

This one was a real clunker. I thought the structure was clumsy, the characters both ugly and uninteresting, and the plot veered on silliness. This is one I'm actually glad that I didn't see on stage, because I'm afraid that it would tend to be even worse when performed. I've never read a play that has as much business described as this one does, and I didn't really see the point of much of it. Not T. Williams at his best, or even close.