Reviews

How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel

mandoreviews's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

3.75

7.5/10

I definitely understand how this play would have been more monumental when it came out. It’s a very realistic perspective on grooming and sexual manipulation. 

I didn’t have a lot of empathy for the abuser, though, which made this read less complex for me (apparently when this play came out, it was praised for having an  abuser that was written in a way to receive sympathy. I just think times have changed where that sympathy isn’t as permissible anymore). 

Trigger warnings for sexual assault and pedophilia. 

#MandoReviews

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Pedophilia

lisa7's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

rodakor09's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.0

casspro's review against another edition

5.0

Not for the easily-skeeved. A modern necessity for any individual of the theatrical persuasion.

torturedpoetlakes's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

agreenfieldofwonder's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

_myliteraryobsession's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

olivlev's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

literaryinluv's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

3.75

gmpipicella's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

She even manages to make pedophilia somehow loving..

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship