Reviews

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh

laurenrocks1's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Very fast paced- finished it over a matter of hours. Dark and spooky story, though! 

afterttherain's review against another edition

4.0

something abt reading child murders

mint_frog's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

A haunting read. I've seen this play performed in a theatre some years ago, but the emotions are the same even just from reading it, which comes as a big surprise.

I can't form any coherent thought about themes and meanings at this point, but I'm sure this play is going to stay with me for a while. This is true art - it penetrates the skin and settles deep within you.

This play is masterfully written and keeps being funny even amongst all of the morbid details of the described situation. It never feels boring or dry, and the few characters feel alive and distinct.

In conclusion, I am in awe.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Police brutality

Moderate: Suicide, Ableism, Torture, Murder, and Child death

Minor: Rape, Car accident, and Pedophilia

millymittens's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

4.75

steffk's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

tiffany_aching99's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

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

ohclaire's review against another edition

3.0

this is a gruesome and very messed up play. there is also something so raw and poetic about wanting your stories to make it, especially when you won't.

casspro's review against another edition

5.0

Awesome. The best of McDonagh I've read. Haunting and disturbing, but still with a shred of humanity. Can't wait to see it staged.

novel_ideas's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

3.5

ivaelo's review against another edition

5.0

Може би една от най-тъмните истории на Макдона. Изпълнена с болка, насилие и естетвено - хумор. Макдона отново твори една абсурдна ситуация, в която се включват по-кратки истории, от които може да се направи един отличен сборник с хорър разкази.
Прочетох тази пиеса, защото е единствената от поставяните в България, която не успях да гледа, за което мога само да съжалявам.