TL;DR: Ultimately weak in its execution, but has strong characters and individual standout moments that make it worth the read.

The Cake has good characters and an interesting premise, as well as individual interesting aspects (Jen VS Jenny, the commentator/conscience, etc.). The characters feel very real, in part thanks to the well written dialogue and their dimension. However, Brunstetter has trouble incorporating all of those elements together when it comes time to make a plot. The first and third act of the story is very weak, with the second, although containing very good dialogue and provocative moments, is a climax that feels disproportionately long and unearned when compared to the rest of the story. The script reads more like a first draft than a final one. The core elements of the story are resonant, but the flimsy execution undercuts them and don’t do them proper justice.

That being said, I would still recommend! (Especially if you’re looking for smaller, individual scenes to perform.) It’s not super long, only took me about 30-45 minutes to read it, so it’s not high investment. I like the characters and second act enough to say it’s not a waste of time. I’ll probably read more of Brunstetter’s work, especially new releases that will hopefully be more polished.

Content Warnings

The Passengers by John Marrs

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adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-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

5.0

I’m gonna be completely honest, I think this book is more of a 4.5 if you wanna be all fancy and technical about it. However, my personal love and connection to it bumps it up to a 5 star for me. Just read it.

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

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mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.0

Lockdown by Douglas Craven

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challenging emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

"Lockdown" is a quick, thought-provoking read. The pacing and length works well, as the audience is taken along with the characters throughout the hours they spend in lockdown. They and their dialogue feels realistic in it's casual aimless-ness without getting too in-depth. However, do not mistake that for critique. The short run-time means there isn't time to do a full character study of everyone, which is a good thing, because this play is not an examination. It does not have some grandious statement or takeaway. "Lockdown" exists to get the audience thinking. "Lockdown" is a catalyst, and it knows that, and it does that very well.

That being said, I think some of the run-time was wasted in the beginning. I understand it was a way to communicate the seriousness of the situation, but I think that message could have been communicated more concisely and effectively. However, smaller characters, like the Teacher and the Grade Nine Girl contributed in a small way that, while I believe had more potential than what was taken advantage of in the play, offered unique aspects.

Ultimately a good play that I would reccomend for reading or for viewing, especially considering how short it is, you're not wasting your time by reading this. 3.5/5 stars.

Content Warnings

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

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azaleas_bouquet's reviews 34 reviews

azaleas_bouquet's reviews
34 reviews