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readingwithalex02's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This seems like it would be very enjoyable (seems like a weird word to use) to watch, and see the psychological torment poor Bella faced. Shame that Bella is somewhat reduced to just a damsel in distress
marlamorris's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mistrum_crowe's review
4.0
A quick read and what I would imagine to be a thoroughly enjoyable play to watch. It's certainly made me interested in watching the film version with Ingrid Bergman.
rdeegan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
monkreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carlota_ferro's review against another edition
5.0
now i must read gatekeep and girlboss to complete the holy trinity
jgoodwin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
onstandb1's review against another edition
3.0
This is the play that put a name to gaslighting, emotional manipulation with the intention of making the victim question their sanity, as everyone knows who's read this book. Often when "Gaslight" gets brought up people think of the 1944 Cukor film, but this is what that film is based on.
I think the topic of this play is so important, especially given the rise of domestic abuse reports under COVID-19. I really appreciated how Bella had been physically worn down by her husband, but then completely turns the tables on him as he is dragged away in disgrace, physically wearing him down instead. The framework of "be nice, be mean, be nice again, repeat" was used throughout, which I thought was incredibly important to highlight too. Abusive relationships aren't always 100% terrible all the time. The abuser may be lovely to their victim, to regain or gain their trust and vulnerability, or simply to stop them from leaving.
The reason it's a three-star though is that other than the end, Bella is essentially just a character created to be saved by a man. Detective Rough appears to do all the work in helping her escape Jack, and having her be created just so she could be saved by a big strong man was something I didn't enjoy about it. Granted it was written by Patrick Hamilton who had a history of misogyny in his writing, but I was disappointed that a play with such important cultural and psychological placement included such a clear damsel-in-distress character.
I think the topic of this play is so important, especially given the rise of domestic abuse reports under COVID-19. I really appreciated how Bella had been physically worn down by her husband, but then completely turns the tables on him as he is dragged away in disgrace, physically wearing him down instead. The framework of "be nice, be mean, be nice again, repeat" was used throughout, which I thought was incredibly important to highlight too. Abusive relationships aren't always 100% terrible all the time. The abuser may be lovely to their victim, to regain or gain their trust and vulnerability, or simply to stop them from leaving.
The reason it's a three-star though is that other than the end, Bella is essentially just a character created to be saved by a man. Detective Rough appears to do all the work in helping her escape Jack, and having her be created just so she could be saved by a big strong man was something I didn't enjoy about it. Granted it was written by Patrick Hamilton who had a history of misogyny in his writing, but I was disappointed that a play with such important cultural and psychological placement included such a clear damsel-in-distress character.
annabelle13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0