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4.68 AVERAGE
4.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a ride! Spurred on by this play's current Broadway run, I am so glad I found a copy to read. John Proctor is the Villain is in effect a #metoo period piece, yet speaks to 1690s Salem, 1950s United States, and the present day (spring 2025 as I am writing this). I and many of my friends were similar ages to the students in Villain, and I could identify aspects of myself and my friends in one or more of those characters. Moreover, the commentary on The Crucible and the original witch trials was a welcome addition, while also being crucial to forward the play's tight, fast, and engrossing narrative.
I was drawn to Belflower's use of stage directions which, while sparse, added so much to the given scene they were in. And it is totally okay that they were sparse because the whip-smart dialogue and most-of-the-time endearing characters kept me glued to the script.
The ending of John Proctor is the Villain is such a splendid and ecstatic catharsis from the all too real reality encapsulated in the pages that precede it. Having been a witness to similar situations in real life, I appreciated how the dynamics of power weave throughout the play until they ultimately are reversed. It was a happy ending, of sorts—not that all was well in the end, or that wrongs were righted, but that those wrongs were acknowledged, condemned, then replaced by the unequivocal joy of community, girlhood slash womanhood, and the freeing feeling of telling predators to bump off (insert your own expletive).
I would recommend Belflower's Villain to anyone, especially if they've ever listed to Lorde, Taylor Swift, or Harry Styles on chronic repeat.
I was drawn to Belflower's use of stage directions which, while sparse, added so much to the given scene they were in. And it is totally okay that they were sparse because the whip-smart dialogue and most-of-the-time endearing characters kept me glued to the script.
The ending of John Proctor is the Villain is such a splendid and ecstatic catharsis from the all too real reality encapsulated in the pages that precede it. Having been a witness to similar situations in real life, I appreciated how the dynamics of power weave throughout the play until they ultimately are reversed. It was a happy ending, of sorts—not that all was well in the end, or that wrongs were righted, but that those wrongs were acknowledged, condemned, then replaced by the unequivocal joy of community, girlhood slash womanhood, and the freeing feeling of telling predators to bump off (insert your own expletive).
I would recommend Belflower's Villain to anyone, especially if they've ever listed to Lorde, Taylor Swift, or Harry Styles on chronic repeat.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
god this was so perfect
I wanted to read this bc uncarley recommended it and then I actually went to see the play on Broadway with Sadie Sink! (shoutout Sadie) I liked it so much I wanted to read it and very glad I did. As an English class lover this was so special to me (especially as someone who did read the Crucible in 2017/2018) and the writing style really captures 2018 teenagers as a moment in time (very tumblr esque). I loved this as a modern response to the Crucible and as a reflection of the cultural conflict we are experiencing now.
I wanted to read this bc uncarley recommended it and then I actually went to see the play on Broadway with Sadie Sink! (shoutout Sadie) I liked it so much I wanted to read it and very glad I did. As an English class lover this was so special to me (especially as someone who did read the Crucible in 2017/2018) and the writing style really captures 2018 teenagers as a moment in time (very tumblr esque). I loved this as a modern response to the Crucible and as a reflection of the cultural conflict we are experiencing now.
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I so completely regret not seeing this when it was in DC. It was so hopeful and so heartbreaking, every time I see someone talk about it online now I get teary. I’ve been listing to Lorde’s entire discography non stop since I finished.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
stumbled on this via ig but glad i did. cathartic and cringe and real. genuinely picked the most optimal time in my life to read this boo freaking yah. not typically a fan of modern lit but this was kind of perfect
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No