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lbelow's review
3.75
I would love to see this performed live, to hear Vivek sing the songs included. Even without that, it is an interesting read and I'm glad for the reading prompt that resulted in me seeking this out.
naleagdeco's review
3.0
This story is a tight retelling of the author's background for her dream of being a massively popular musician, and how that presumably did not come to fruition (she seems to have become a respectable resume though, given her biography).
It does not elaborate on the reasons for the most part and there seems to be a reason for that; the intro, itself quite a tight read, talks about this book being an attempt to normalize failure, in defiance of our current social values that require everyone to sell themselves as some kind of successful influencer and leader.
For me, moreso than the retelling itself, which will resonate with many I am sure, the idea of just plainly stating that one strove for some kind of success in youth and did not hit it was a nice read. There was none of the maudlin scenes that one normally sees in stories like this, with some kind redemption in the end (which is even called out in the book). It is stated plainly, and the forward even puts it into a framework which could be internalized.
The narrative really focuses on this particular chosen take; I am not sure if the intended audience is people already familiar with Shraya and other aspects of her life she has talked about, where a lot of the speculated "reasons" for the author's failure or which blocked her from her desired success would presumably be elaborated on even more. In some ways that keeps the simple fact of failed dream centred as the key point, the core nutrition on which the reader can digest.
From a form point of view, I find the self-description of this book as a play a bit confusing, because there are few stage directions. There are pictures of performances in the back, and I am curious to know how those would fit into the textualized monologues and songs that were presumably performed. Were there key movements attached to particular pieces of the monologue, or was the moment primarily done during the musical segments?
It does not elaborate on the reasons for the most part
Spoiler
even given the section in the middle that suggests various reasons, and brief asides that suggest how a white-centric culture impacted her situations.For me, moreso than the retelling itself, which will resonate with many I am sure, the idea of just plainly stating that one strove for some kind of success in youth and did not hit it was a nice read. There was none of the maudlin scenes that one normally sees in stories like this, with some kind redemption in the end (which is even called out in the book). It is stated plainly, and the forward even puts it into a framework which could be internalized.
The narrative really focuses on this particular chosen take; I am not sure if the intended audience is people already familiar with Shraya and other aspects of her life she has talked about, where a lot of the speculated "reasons" for the author's failure or which blocked her from her desired success would presumably be elaborated on even more. In some ways that keeps the simple fact of failed dream centred as the key point, the core nutrition on which the reader can digest.
From a form point of view, I find the self-description of this book as a play a bit confusing, because there are few stage directions. There are pictures of performances in the back, and I am curious to know how those would fit into the textualized monologues and songs that were presumably performed. Were there key movements attached to particular pieces of the monologue, or was the moment primarily done during the musical segments?
readingtomydogs's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
A fun take on embracing failure, in play form.
lx2's review
5.0
I love Vivek. Her work always blows me away. As a trans woman myself, and a writer, I find a lot of myself in her texts. With this play, she tackled the topic of failure that is so often taboo in our society—even though it is inevitable. Vivek allows and presents a vulnerability I wish we could all embrace and display.
thealyssa_ann's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
3.5
I wish I had listened to this rather than read a physical copy because I think that would add so much. But it was a quick read full of self-deprecating humor and now I want to read Vivek Shraya’s novels.
cosmicwillow's review
5.0
Something I’ve always found excitingly daunting is jumping into a new style or genre of literature. I felt this strongly when starting Vivek Shraya’s latest book featuring her play How to Fail as a Popstar. Personally, I’ve never really felt the need to venture into reading plays because I felt as if I got my fill of that in high school, and if I desperately wanted to consume one, I could easily head into the city and get tickets to a show. But being a fan of Vivek’s work and compelled by the idea of this play, I knew I had to pick this up. And wow, am I sure glad I did!
Despite my nerves going into this piece, I immediately felt at home reading the foreword by play director Brendan Healy. I knew right there that this play would be something I highly value, and when Healy listed his three main takeaways from the play, I felt so much more eager to continue reading.
Vivek is extremely skilled in creating a compelling narrative. The majority of this play is formed around an autobiographical telling of her experiences with wanting to become a popstar from her earliest memory of music to where she sees her ultimate failure. Music is of course a key aspect of this play as it is dotted with her original songs (much to my delight as I really love her music, check her out on Spotify), and they really added so much to the story. I particularly love the closing song, Showing Up.
Check out the full review on my blog here!
Despite my nerves going into this piece, I immediately felt at home reading the foreword by play director Brendan Healy. I knew right there that this play would be something I highly value, and when Healy listed his three main takeaways from the play, I felt so much more eager to continue reading.
Vivek is extremely skilled in creating a compelling narrative. The majority of this play is formed around an autobiographical telling of her experiences with wanting to become a popstar from her earliest memory of music to where she sees her ultimate failure. Music is of course a key aspect of this play as it is dotted with her original songs (much to my delight as I really love her music, check her out on Spotify), and they really added so much to the story. I particularly love the closing song, Showing Up.
Check out the full review on my blog here!