Reviews

The Torch Song Trilogy: Three Plays by Harvey Fierstein

phases_of_dawn's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

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

5.0

rhistutz11's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

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

3.0

locke_reads's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

rdhuff's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? No

2.0

kraigers737's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.25

l_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

1.25

I read this for uni and must say that I really didn’t enjoy it.
I didn’t like the characters, which made the book hard to get through and made it hard to cares about the storylines in it.

I wouldn’t say that it is objectively bad, it just isn’t for me.

mlghwnt's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia and Homophobia

vonnemiste's review against another edition

5.0

This trio of plays is devastatingly beautiful, rich, honest, emotive, and soulful. Fierstein has written a set of works that all good theatre should aspire to be like.

readmeup's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

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

claire60's review against another edition

5.0

I have been lucky enough to see this as a stage play and also own the DVD version. I love this play it is funny, insightful and an engaging representation of LGBT life in the 80's. I hadn't read the play before so it was an interesting experience, having seen Harvey Fierstein in the DVD its hard not to read it with his voice speaking Arnold's words. The play is different from the play, they have clearly made some changes to make it work cinematically. The best speeches remain however and the main premise of the play has not been changed.

I really liked the introduction by Harvey where he talks about his hope that people will see something of themselves in one or more characters and feel less alone. It made me love him and the play a little but more. Arnold is a hilarious central character, with devastating wit and quick repartee. You can't help but be absorbed by him and his life and choices. As a play it works well, you do need to focus as there are overlapping conversations but its a clever way to put across important stories with a small cast and a limited set. An enjoyable and important read I can't recommend it enough.