Reviews

Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 by Anna Deavere Smith

ebunk's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

kkpritchard's review against another edition

5.0

Amazing book giving a wide variety of perspectives surrounding and following the 1992 LA riots following the Rodney King verdict. It taught me many things I had no idea about, such as that there was a gang truce shortly before the riots began, and that Korean-American merchants suffered brutal violence during the riots. I have no answers, only sadness that the underlying race problems that led to the riot are still present and ongoing in America today. Smith's book, however, encourages everyone to consider everyone's viewpoint and empathize. In the words of Twilight Bey, we "can't forever dwell in darkness...of just identifying with people like me and understanding me and mine." Profound.

sachcoops's review

challenging emotional informative fast-paced

5.0

gracedwithbooks's review against another edition

3.0

This was such an interesting look at racial conflicts in 1992. I love the format that Anna Deavere Smith decided to use, with the different segments/snippets of people surround the event getting "interviewed." It reminded me a lot of the Laramie Project. I do think this is a play that should be taught to more students because it has so much to say about prejudice and hatred. The world is a messed up place, but by reading and understanding different perspectives, we are closer to peace.

izzytheniffler's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

quartofgoats's review against another edition

4.0

How have the LA riots not just continued for 25 years? Seems like these same issues are still coming up.
Very interesting, immersive reading experience

asha_n's review against another edition

I read the book really fast for a class and I feel like I didn’t really take in everything properly. I’d definitely re-read it another time to fully grasp everything that happened.

remigves's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

m_kayk's review against another edition

4.0

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2020: a book with only words on the cover, no images or graphics.

I knew very little about the LA riots in 1992. This play was a great way to see multiple views on what happened once the verdict was announced. I fully intend to see if I can find the PBS film that was made from this script.

jrboudreau's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0