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kiramke's review against another edition
5.0
A friend introduced me to Stoppard in school, before I moved to Czechia, and it was long after that I realized his connection. This is a lovely rediscussion of dissent in a way that hopefully was more accessible to western audiences than some of the samizdat.
vivamonty's review
2.0
Stoppard's writing here feels like intellectual masturbation. None of the characters are particularly interesting.
mjeitler's review
3.0
I enjoyed it, but some of the politics were definitely confusing at times! I liked the doubling of characters and the discussions of Sappho.
letitiaharmon's review
4.0
Not Stoppard's best, but certainly better than 90% of the work being written out there. As with all Stoppard's work, at least an elementary background in the subject aids incredibly with appreciation of this show. I suggest brushing up a bit on Czech history first.
jonjeffryes's review
4.0
This was also a re-read that resulted in a greater appreciation for the play. I think the first time I thought this play was going to be more of an alternative biography of Stoppard via the character of Jan. But reading it again I see it's really more of an ensemble piece. I also think it helps to have a bit more grounding in the history surrounding Czechoslovakia and the USSR during the 60s-80s. This play explores a lot of themes -- maybe too many -- some ideas are introduced (mind vs brain) that don't get a full a treatment. But I was interested in the multiple realities that individuals experience within our shared reality and the depiction of life in a totalitarian state is well executed. The play's structure is really something of a marvel -- it's smash cuts between scenes spanning decades and Europe with characters rotating through each other's lives is expertly conducted.
enoughgaiety's review
3.0
Disappointingly, not Stoppard's best work. But there is one scene that's right up there with his best: Eleanor's cancer speech. When I saw it staged, that scene got more applause than anything else in the show.
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