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Post by Jon on Nov 23, 2022 22:13:34 GMT
I’ve never heard of this book so decided to look up the plot synopsis and wow that’s… a lot! I’m sure it’s a great book and well written but wow that plot is just a misery-porn conga. I’ve seen over the top angst fanfiction with similar levels of ‘oh and they’re abused, oh and they get hit by a car, oh and they get even MORE abused and then their whole family is exploded by a bomb and then they try and kill themselves several times’ (this isn’t what happens btw, but it’s along those lines) That sounds like A Series of Unfortunate Events on crack! |
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Post by stevemar on Nov 23, 2022 22:28:29 GMT
I’ve never heard of this book so decided to look up the plot synopsis and wow that’s… a lot! I’m sure it’s a great book and well written but wow that plot is just a misery-porn conga. I’ve seen over the top angst fanfiction with similar levels of ‘oh and they’re abused, oh and they get hit by a car, oh and they get even MORE abused and then their whole family is exploded by a bomb and then they try and kill themselves several times’ (this isn’t what happens btw, but it’s along those lines) I think you should copyright “misery-porn conga”. I guess for me, the way a person/character deals with the events is what interests me. The “joke” I used to make with my friends is that all the shows I took them to involved death, suicide or betrayal (or all of these…). |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2022 22:41:05 GMT
It's less "misery porn conga" and more the reality that some people experience serial abuse, and in turn, engage in self-harm for a variety of reasons.
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Post by marob on Nov 23, 2022 23:53:08 GMT
Sounds like the main character goes from one ordeal to another, which makes me think of seeing Cleansed at the NT a few years ago. Rather than making me feel for the characters the violence there just made me very aware I was watching some actors pretending to be tortured. I just couldn’t connect to it emotionally at all.
I find Van Hove very hit-and-miss, but looks a pretty decent cast. Definitely intrigued, but still not sure I want to sit through nearly 4 hours of this.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Nov 24, 2022 14:31:15 GMT
Once was enough for me; won't be going to the London version/transfer. I already have a feeling which character Zubin Varla will play and his booming voice reminds me of the Dutch counterpart. (I thought that was very cleverly done - without giving too much away)
To echo what has already been said yesterday - it is by far the most graphic, shocking thing I've seen onstage. I was sat far away at the ITA and still struggled to watch those scenes. Wouldn't recommend being close up (appreciate it's a personal choice)
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Post by londonpostie on Nov 24, 2022 15:02:00 GMT
You put your left leg in, your left leg out ..
It's a band name, at very least.
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Post by alessia on Nov 24, 2022 16:50:51 GMT
I’ve never heard of this book so decided to look up the plot synopsis and wow that’s… a lot! I’m sure it’s a great book and well written but wow that plot is just a misery-porn conga. I’ve seen over the top angst fanfiction with similar levels of ‘oh and they’re abused, oh and they get hit by a car, oh and they get even MORE abused and then their whole family is exploded by a bomb and then they try and kill themselves several times’ (this isn’t what happens btw, but it’s along those lines) it is indeed misery/abuse porn. also very badly written and full of implausible stuff and plot holes. |
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Post by lemiz1862 on Nov 24, 2022 18:34:45 GMT
I’ve never heard of this book so decided to look up the plot synopsis and wow that’s… a lot! I’m sure it’s a great book and well written but wow that plot is just a misery-porn conga. I’ve seen over the top angst fanfiction with similar levels of ‘oh and they’re abused, oh and they get hit by a car, oh and they get even MORE abused and then their whole family is exploded by a bomb and then they try and kill themselves several times’ (this isn’t what happens btw, but it’s along those lines) it is indeed misery/abuse porn. also very badly written and full of implausible stuff and plot holes. I didn't realise all plays had to have plausible things happen to the characters? |
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Post by alessia on Nov 25, 2022 10:50:48 GMT
it is indeed misery/abuse porn. also very badly written and full of implausible stuff and plot holes. I didn't realise all plays had to have plausible things happen to the characters? I haven't seen the play, I was referring to the book. Considering how badly written it is, I imagine the play can only improve the story, especially if it focuses on the first half. I of course can buy implausibility, just not as much as Yanagihara packs into this book. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2022 11:10:40 GMT
I'd be thrilled to create a book as "badly written" as A Little Life considering the sales it generated and acclaim it received. Of course it is perfectly fine that some people do not like it, but a great many found it to be a masterpiece.
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Post by andrew on Nov 25, 2022 11:28:12 GMT
I didn't realise all plays had to have plausible things happen to the characters? I haven't seen the play, I was referring to the book. Considering how badly written it is, I imagine the play can only improve the story, especially if it focuses on the first half. I of course can buy implausibility, just not as much as Yanagihara packs into this book. The book isn't set in a particular time, what happens to any of the characters isn't realistic, I took these to be deliberate choices and let it happen. I'd never read it again but I did find reading it a very cathartic experience. It's not the same, but I'm reminded of Les Miserables (the book more than the show) which is completely littered with coincidences and implausibility, and my understanding as a reader is that there is supposed to be a slightly magical quality to what's happening, it is an artifice of the novel. But I can 100% understand why someone would hate the book and 100% support anyone saying they're not interested in seeing the play. I can't wait! |
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 25, 2022 11:56:23 GMT
Abuse is a funny old thing isn't it.
Those trapped in a cycle of it never seem to know how they got into it or how to get out of it and those who've never experienced it always seem to know everything about it and have the all answers despite knowing absolutely nothing about it.
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Post by alessia on Nov 25, 2022 12:16:13 GMT
Abuse is a funny old thing isn't it. Those trapped in a cycle of it never seem to know how they got into it or how to get out of it and those who've never experienced it always seem to know everything about it and have the all answers despite knowing absolutely nothing about it. If that was referred to me, how do you know anything about what I have or have not experienced? |
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 25, 2022 12:22:25 GMT
Abuse is a funny old thing isn't it. Those trapped in a cycle of it never seem to know how they got into it or how to get out of it and those who've never experienced it always seem to know everything about it and have the all answers despite knowing absolutely nothing about it. If that was referred to me, how do you know anything about what I have or have not experienced? It was not aimed at anyone which is why I didn't quote anyone. I do dislike the term 'misery/torture porn' used on this particular subject matter though considering how damaging the effects of childhood abuse can be on some people and the horrible adult lives they live because of it. |
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Nov 25, 2022 15:29:07 GMT
The events portrayed in the book are very very similar to my own upbringing and life (except obviously I didn’t die), and the fact I have personally experienced those events is the very reason I hate the book and consider it Misery Porn.
It very obviously was written by someone without any personal experience of the things she’s writing about, and while normally I applaud writers being able to write characters very different from themselves (an able-bodied Asian-American woman raised by a father who was a respected doctor, writing a disabled white gay man raised without any family), but in this case the nature of the material coupled with the lack of authenticity made it feel deeply exploitative and shallow. Imo obviously.
Fwiw, and obviously this is anecdotal, all the people I know who experienced the same things as Jude, dislike the book. The only people I know who adore it come from very comfortable and privileged backgrounds and really do seem to see the book as a kind of dark tourism of literature. I’m sure there are exceptions. But it does seem like the most pushback against the book is coming from actual abuse survivors.
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Post by intoanewlife on Nov 25, 2022 15:56:47 GMT
The events portrayed in the book are very very similar to my own upbringing and life (except obviously I didn’t die), and the fact I have personally experienced those events is the very reason I hate the book and consider it Misery Porn. It very obviously was written by someone without any personal experience of the things she’s writing about, and while normally I applaud writers being able to write characters very different from themselves (an able-bodied Asian-American woman raised by a father who was a respected doctor, writing a disabled white gay man raised without any family), but in this case the nature of the material coupled with the lack of authenticity made it feel deeply exploitative and shallow. Imo obviously. Fwiw, and obviously this is anecdotal, all the people I know who experienced the same things as Jude, dislike the book. The only people I know who adore it come from very comfortable and privileged backgrounds and really do seem to see the book as a kind of dark tourism of literature. I’m sure there are exceptions. But it does seem like the most pushback against the book is coming from actual abuse survivors. Not everyone who suffers abuse comes out of it exactly the same and has the same life experience. I know people who have been through horrendous abuse and come out of it fairly unscathed and others who have been through what would be probably considered 'minor' abuse who have been horrifically scarred by it and it has affected their lives and relationships with others very deeply. No two people are the same, especially when comparing people who have had treatment with someone who has not. |
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Nov 25, 2022 17:07:39 GMT
Not sure how that’s relevant to the fact that some “horrifically scarred by abuse who never received treatment” people hate the book, and consider it inauthentic and exploitative misery porn.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
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Post by alessia on Nov 25, 2022 17:38:49 GMT
The events portrayed in the book are very very similar to my own upbringing and life (except obviously I didn’t die), and the fact I have personally experienced those events is the very reason I hate the book and consider it Misery Porn. I am very sorry you went through such a horrific childhood. |
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Post by Stephen on Dec 26, 2022 12:54:24 GMT
Honestly, being farther back might be a good thing if this production retains the intensity of some of the scenes. I was six rows back at the recent BAM production and had to look away several times despite having a strong constitution for blood and the like. Can you please give a bit of detail? Thinking of booking but worried it’ll be a bit much. Not too keen on blood etc. Might read the book first? |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Dec 26, 2022 13:06:54 GMT
Honestly, being farther back might be a good thing if this production retains the intensity of some of the scenes. I was six rows back at the recent BAM production and had to look away several times despite having a strong constitution for blood and the like. Can you please give a bit of detail? Thinking of booking but worried it’ll be a bit much. Not too keen on blood etc. Might read the book first? There are graphic scenes of self harm; when I saw it at the ITA I wasn't particularly close but struggled to watch. Wasn't a fan. I would recommend reading the book. |
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Post by jm25 on Jan 6, 2023 23:24:24 GMT
Tickets for this seem to be selling well. Will no doubt be helped by James Norton on Graham Norton today. I want to see this but have been holding off due to the insane prices - now getting slightly concerned about missing out! I seem to recall the first couple of rows not being available but wasn’t sure if they’d sold out or were being held back. Is this likely to be worth the splurge or is it best to hold out?
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jan 7, 2023 7:24:58 GMT
Tickets for this seem to be selling well. Will no doubt be helped by James Norton on Graham Norton today. I want to see this but have been holding off due to the insane prices - now getting slightly concerned about missing out! I seem to recall the first couple of rows not being available but wasn’t sure if they’d sold out or were being held back. Is this likely to be worth the splurge or is it best to hold out? Likely to be an NT Live for £20 I reckon  |
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Post by jm25 on Jan 7, 2023 15:27:27 GMT
Tickets for this seem to be selling well. Will no doubt be helped by James Norton on Graham Norton today. I want to see this but have been holding off due to the insane prices - now getting slightly concerned about missing out! I seem to recall the first couple of rows not being available but wasn’t sure if they’d sold out or were being held back. Is this likely to be worth the splurge or is it best to hold out? Likely to be an NT Live for £20 I reckon Unfortunately for my bank balance, I think I’d only want to watch this in the theatre! 😂 |
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Post by Dave B on Jan 7, 2023 15:37:02 GMT
Tickets for this seem to be selling well. Will no doubt be helped by James Norton on Graham Norton today. I want to see this but have been holding off due to the insane prices - now getting slightly concerned about missing out! I seem to recall the first couple of rows not being available but wasn’t sure if they’d sold out or were being held back. Is this likely to be worth the splurge or is it best to hold out? Tickets a lot cheaper for Richmond, on the tube and the mainline train service. Less than 20 minutes from Waterloo on a fast train. I splurged for a decent seat on one of the nights out there. |
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Post by jm25 on Jan 7, 2023 17:08:14 GMT
Tickets for this seem to be selling well. Will no doubt be helped by James Norton on Graham Norton today. I want to see this but have been holding off due to the insane prices - now getting slightly concerned about missing out! I seem to recall the first couple of rows not being available but wasn’t sure if they’d sold out or were being held back. Is this likely to be worth the splurge or is it best to hold out? Tickets a lot cheaper for Richmond, on the tube and the mainline train service. Less than 20 minutes from Waterloo on a fast train. I splurged for a decent seat on one of the nights out there. I’ll have a look - thanks! |
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