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mineral9's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alysson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
I’m glad I got past the beginning (which I found boring). Once the book got going, it picked up & was interesting. Glad I did not abandon the book. I do feel like I wanted to know more & it ended abruptly.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
kscheffrahn's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.75
thematinee's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful - but like “One Man, Two Guvnors” or “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”, it loses a little something without the staging.
amiably's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
different style of writing & intersting choice, doug including himself as a character. good idea but flawed execution; he just came off as narcissistic.
some words were definitely outdated and should no longer be used.
doug writing this as a cis white person was not a good choice. he acknowledges in the foreword how he has practically no clue what happened during ww2 before meeting charlotte, but goes through with writing this anyway. shouldn’t authors do tons of research before writing a book about a sensitive topic? not doug, i guess.
this story is less a biography of charlotte von mahlsdorf and more a story about doug’s borderline obsession with her, which he personally tells the reader in the beginning.
i’d probably enjoy this more if a trans author wrote this and could fully express the nuance in charlotte von mahlsdorf’s life.
as always, check TWs before reading.
some words were definitely outdated and should no longer be used.
doug writing this as a cis white person was not a good choice. he acknowledges in the foreword how he has practically no clue what happened during ww2 before meeting charlotte, but goes through with writing this anyway. shouldn’t authors do tons of research before writing a book about a sensitive topic? not doug, i guess.
this story is less a biography of charlotte von mahlsdorf and more a story about doug’s borderline obsession with her, which he personally tells the reader in the beginning.
i’d probably enjoy this more if a trans author wrote this and could fully express the nuance in charlotte von mahlsdorf’s life.
as always, check TWs before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Deadnaming
Moderate: Violence, Antisemitism, and Death
Minor: War and Confinement
ratgrrrl's review against another edition
2.0
CW: Transphobia (Misgendering, Deadnaming, Violence), Homophobia, Antisemitism, Neurodivergent Ableism, Nazis, Stasi
I have a lot of thoughts I need to put together in a document (I can't deal with another meltdown after pouring my heart out about Townies by Neel Patel and then the internet eating it - PSA: MAYBE DON'T READ ID YOU'RE TRANS), but in the mean time it's incredibly important to tell the stories of and discuss important figures in our history, discussing them warts and all, but with the compassion and understanding we don't share the same experiences. However, this play and Patel's short story highlight the importance of research, understanding, empathy, consultation and sensitivity reading when writing outside our own experiences, and just how vital it is to raise own voices in the telling of our own tales.
I don't believe Wright or Patel had any malice in the creation of their works, it is clear how invested in and caring about Charlotte they were. This doesn't change the fact that the Patel's story exploits trans trauma for the sake of drama and the language Wright uses around Charlotte's identity is disrespectful and harmful throughout the play, particularly in the closing monologue.
I would love to see a trans creator work with Charlotte's complicated, inspiring, and heartbreaking story paying the appropriate respect to her identity and exploring the uncomfortable dichotomy of her life and actions.
I have a lot of thoughts I need to put together in a document (I can't deal with another meltdown after pouring my heart out about Townies by Neel Patel and then the internet eating it - PSA: MAYBE DON'T READ ID YOU'RE TRANS), but in the mean time it's incredibly important to tell the stories of and discuss important figures in our history, discussing them warts and all, but with the compassion and understanding we don't share the same experiences. However, this play and Patel's short story highlight the importance of research, understanding, empathy, consultation and sensitivity reading when writing outside our own experiences, and just how vital it is to raise own voices in the telling of our own tales.
I don't believe Wright or Patel had any malice in the creation of their works, it is clear how invested in and caring about Charlotte they were. This doesn't change the fact that the Patel's story exploits trans trauma for the sake of drama and the language Wright uses around Charlotte's identity is disrespectful and harmful throughout the play, particularly in the closing monologue.
I would love to see a trans creator work with Charlotte's complicated, inspiring, and heartbreaking story paying the appropriate respect to her identity and exploring the uncomfortable dichotomy of her life and actions.
nick_jenkins's review against another edition
4.0
So strangely curtailed, truncated--such a large subject, and so little said about it.
emmasophierund's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this play but I didn't love it. I think this is one I would need to see.
lan_string's review against another edition
4.25
Very engaging, very brave character study for someone you so admire. The foreword improved my understanding of/appreciation for this play a lot.
a_ab's review against another edition
3.0
Meandering story, not very coherently told, but fascinating anyway.