A review by laindarko2
Translations by Brian Friel

challenging reflective tense fast-paced

3.5

I really prefer not to read plays if I can help it, but as this was assigned for a class and I couldn't find any recorded performances to watch, I had to read it anyway. I only say this because I think if I watched this as a play or film I think I would have higher praises for it. It really is a fascinating look at the colonization of Ireland and the power of language (and the spiritual-cultural violence of linguistic erasure). I can tell it must be a very sorrowful and heartbreaking play when performed. When read, though, the conversations between characters are really difficult to track, weakening the overall effect of the story. I really would love to watch a performance, especially in Gaelic, but it doesn't seem to be a super commonly performed piece. Maybe that's something for me to look out for if I ever get to travel to Ireland!