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the_anonymous_author's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A collection of plays that will certainly make you stop and reconsider what you are reading. Varying from insightful to bizarre and then to petty and then to bizarre again. If old plays are of interest to you it is a decent read though you do need to accept the time period it is written for and the lack of descriptions as it is a script. Over all something an English teacher would love.
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
5.0
The only one of these that I'd read before was Hedda Gabler and it was just as captivating as I'd remembered. Every play in this collection is a killer, so compellingly written that you don't need to see a live production in order to feel the full impact of the drama. The alternate "German Ending" to A Doll's House was a travesty that completely neutered the entire story, but I'm glad that it was included here as a time-capsule to how much some prudish values have changed over the intervening decades.
fakewriter9's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.75
theresaemig's review against another edition
3.0
Really liked 3 of the 4 plays. Hated The Master Builder.
crostonk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I think Ghosts would make a great play today. Big fan of Ibsen
meganreads5's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
catnipped's review against another edition
I was required to read A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler in school. I really enjoyed both, so I'm considering finishing the other two at some other point.
A Doll's House
I don't think I can explain my love for Nora at the end of this play. The other characters are mere shadows to the development of her character. The symbolism of the title, and the ending were just perfect. Having read the alternate ending, I can't imagine it ending any other way. Certainly in real life and at presnt time period, this ending would have to be looked at in a totally different way, but without those considerations, and seeing the main message makes this a must-read even today, in my opinion.
My rating: 5/5
Hedda Gabler
The namesake of this play has got to be one of the most terrifying characters I have ever read about. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting it, as I began the play without any prior knowledge. I think what truly makes Hedda such a frightening character is the fact that the audience lacks the ability to see inside her head. Thus, we only view her actions, and must depend on hearing her voiced opinions. Ibsen deserves credit for making such an astonishing and horrible character into a believable woman. Honestly, she is such a perfect character to hate and the end fits so wonderfully with her previous words and actions.
However, the main detractor of the play for me was that I was often confused about what was going on between the male characters/distinguishing in particular Brack and Loveborg except at the very last act. Perhaps I didn't pay enough attention, but when we would go over certain things in class, I would realize I had completely missed an important detail. Also, I would have loved to see Mademoiselle Diana in action!
My Rating: 4.5/5
A Doll's House
I don't think I can explain my love for Nora at the end of this play. The other characters are mere shadows to the development of her character. The symbolism of the title, and the ending were just perfect. Having read the alternate ending, I can't imagine it ending any other way. Certainly in real life and at presnt time period, this ending would have to be looked at in a totally different way, but without those considerations, and seeing the main message makes this a must-read even today, in my opinion.
My rating: 5/5
Hedda Gabler
The namesake of this play has got to be one of the most terrifying characters I have ever read about. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting it, as I began the play without any prior knowledge. I think what truly makes Hedda such a frightening character is the fact that the audience lacks the ability to see inside her head. Thus, we only view her actions, and must depend on hearing her voiced opinions. Ibsen deserves credit for making such an astonishing and horrible character into a believable woman. Honestly, she is such a perfect character to hate and the end fits so wonderfully with her previous words and actions.
However, the main detractor of the play for me was that I was often confused about what was going on between the male characters/distinguishing in particular Brack and Loveborg except at the very last act. Perhaps I didn't pay enough attention, but when we would go over certain things in class, I would realize I had completely missed an important detail. Also, I would have loved to see Mademoiselle Diana in action!
My Rating: 4.5/5
satsoku's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
zoefcampion's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hedda gabler is incredibly fascist and impulsive, which makes her actions both comical and revealing of the deeply seeded flaws of the middle class.