Rating: 
Summary: Angels in America is a realistic representation of AIDS
Review: Angels in America is a graphic portrayal of the effects of Aids on two homosexual men, Roy and Prior. Kushner at various points of the play describes graphic sexual and medical scenes, which are offensive but necessary to prove that there is nothing positive about AIDS. Furthermore, the graphic scenes are essential to illustrate Kushner's idea that the horrors of the modern world are attributed to God abandoning earth. As a reader if you are able to get past the offensive nature of some of the scenes, Kushner paints a very real portrait of the AIDS misconception in the 1980's. With all of the realness of this play it is coupled with scenes of fantasy where Angels and trips to heaven play a crucial role. This is not to say that the play was void of humor. Throughout the play a good bit of humor which Kushner strategically placed to break some of the tension and horror. The friends of both Ray and Prior become intertwined through various circumstances producing a very Dynamic set of characters. To portray the interconnected cast, Kushner often employs a split stage where two sets of characters are carrying on different but related conversations. The result is scenes, which are very hard to read but necessary for the continuity of the play. Also, these scenes would be interesting to watch being performed.
Rating:
Summary: I could not stop reading for a second! I loved the book.
Review: Angels In America, Tony Kushner's two part play was an intriguing play to read. I could not put this book down. The graphic detail kept me turning page after page. This is one of the only authors who kept me intrested throughout the whole play. Tony's attention to detail gave incite to someone like me, who has no real idea of the trials that homosexuals, may incur, in dealing with day to day life. The characters, wether homosexual or hetrosexual, all struggled with the American way of life. Each and every character seems to be content in their own way of life, their dream if you will; however, once they come to terms with their sexuality, religion, or mental state, they realize that their perfect dream world has become a nightmare. Kushner does an amazing job keeping the reader enthralled with the lives of these characters. However, the choppy scenes and constant referal to the beginnning of the book began to confuse me. Overall, I believe that this book should be read by all because it is very informative about current issues in today's world such as AIDS, death, religion, and sexuality. Kushner's main issue that he is trying to portray to the reader is that everyone, at some point in time has a rise and a fall. The life lesson is learning how to pull yourself up again.
Rating: 
Summary: The book was very influential and intriguing!!
Review: Angels in America: A gay fantasia, written by Tony Kushner, is a compelling play about issues in America through the eyes of the gay community. It deals with the issues of homosexuality, race, friendship, marriage, AIDS and many others. Kushner developes the characters by putting them in different situations to see how they will deal with the problem. For example, the character of Joe Pitt is in a marriage with an unstabel woman. He knows in his heart that he is gay, but he does not know how to deal with it, and he does not want to leave her. He has to struggle with the decision amongst other problems that people dump on him. In the end he evolves and begins to overcome his problems. The other characters in the play also have moral issues to deal with. They also have the burdens of life that need to be lifted off their shoulders. The lives of the characters are contrasted with one another. The play is very funny and it also has a moral twist. In one sense the play deals with the government and Ronald Reagan; and how the American people do not deal with the issue of AIDS. In another sense, the play deals with the issue of the life an death. I feel that Kushner's plan was to make the reader see how indecent the world is about serious issues. I think the play shows how the self evolves with life experiences. The characters in the play are forced to deal with themselves whether they want to or not. Kushner writes a very magical play that deals with very realistic issues in America. Kushner writes a play that's makes you think and re-evaluate your views. The play has had a huge impact on my thoughts about the political as well as the moral issues. Angels in America is definitly a book that everyone should have the chance to read in their life!
Rating:
Summary: The book was very influential and intriguing!!
Review: Angels in America: A gay fantasia, written by Tony Kushner, is a compelling play about issues in America through the eyes of the gay community. It deals with the issues of sexuality, race, friendship, marriage, AIDS and many others. Kushner developes the characters by putting them in different situations to see how they will deal with the problem. For example, the character of Joe is in a marriage with an unstable woman. He knows in his heart that he is gay, but he does not want to leave her. He has to struggle with this decision amongst other problems that people dump on him throughout the play. In the end he evolves and begins to overcome his problems. The other characters in the play also have issues to deal with. The play is very funny and also has a moral twist. I feel that Kushner's plan was to make the reader see how indecent the world is about serious issues. The play deals with moral issues and politcal issues in America. I think the play shows how the self evolves with life experiences. Kushners writes a very magical play that deals with very real issues. The play has had a huge impact on my thoughts about political as well as moral issues. Angels in America is definitly a book that everyone should have the chance to read in their life!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: As an actor I have a very discerning eye when it comes to plays, and i was amazed with this piece of literature. I decided to read the first few pages before bed, and before i knew it i had finished and it was almost dawn.
No matter what personal views you have on the subject of politics, AIDS, or religion there is a clear message aimed at all of us as Americans, regardless of beliefs. I found Kushner's ideas compelling, making me think and even more so, feel. there's nothing like reading a great book and becoming enveloped by it and this is one of the best plays of our time; hands down.
Rating:
Summary: Angels in America...Dawning of Angels for a New Millennium
Review: Before picking up this book I had already categorized and stereotyped the plot, characters, and anticipated my reaction. I visualized a sob story featuring homosexuals who are misunderstood by society, I pictured stereotypical gay men with high-pitched voices, I knew this story would not make my top-ten list. But I have never been more wrong or judgemental about anything I've ever read. Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" may be one of the most touching accounts depicting American society that i have ever been invited to read. Life is not "sugar-coated" in this play, rather the truth is plainly put out on the table for all to see. The characters in this play are close to the heart and teach us that only the truth will set us free. They are unlikely, yet fitting angels for our generation. We meet Prior, a lonely man dying of AIDS who is the epitome of truth, chosen to prophesize to the masses. Louis and Joe who are both so different yet the same, both realizing the power of the "threshold of revelation". Roy, whose deceptiveness is the cause of his undoing, and Harper who is trapped in a world where the truth has no existence. Yet all of their lives are interconnected by a desire to make sense of the world around them. Amidst politics and controversy, high drama and comedic relief the characters remaining at the play's end have determined a better sense of self and what it means to be "real". I walked away from Kushner's "Angels" with a better sense of my own self and a more open mind. It was written with a compassion and sensitivity unlike any I've ever known or experienced. "Angels in America" is perhaps one of the most touching theatrical works of its day.
Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST AMERICAN PLAY SINCE DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Review: Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey Into Night, A Streetcar Named Desire. These are all twentieth century classics and, in 1993,Tony Kuschner's Angels in America opened on Broadway and deserves to be compared with these great works of the American theatre. The play reads like all great works; filled with allusions, strong emotions, great passion, and timeless characterization. The story is poignant and although AIDS research and treatment has changed greatly since this play was written, that does not change the mark left on the lives of those touched by it. This play defines the attitudes of Americans in the last half of the twentieth century and deserves to be studied in literature classes for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: A College Student's Interpretation......
Review: I began reading Tony Kushner's play, "Angels In America" a few days ago and I haven't been able to stop talking about it. At first, it seemed to be a typical emotionally draining type of play where I would become depressed just thinking that I needed to finish reading it. I have never been so wrong in my short lived life. This play kept me awake to all hours of the night because it captured my attention like no other piece of literature. It discusses almost every contraversial topic associated with the 1980's. Covering such "taboos" as homosexuality, AIDS, politics, racism, and religion. Not only did it cover all these topics in sufficient and extremely intellectual context it had other qualities that aided to its jaw-dropping dialogues. Almost every scene seemed to relate to the theme of the play in an abstract or symbolic way. Personally, I intend on seeing the play live and I recommend that everyone read both "Millennium Approaches" and "Perestroika". They each opened my eyes to the reality and pain behind the medical information that is always given about the disease. By reading and thinking about the play anyone can find a scene, character, or topic that relates to his or her life. This play is absolutely the best contemporary piece of literature that I ever had the pleasure to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Read this twice...
Review: I first read Millenium and Perestroika when I was in high school and Kushner won the Pulitzer. I reread the same plays when my college decided to put on both productions. On the whole I believe these plays were so acclaimed because of the times they were written in, and not much more. In Millenium Kushner does make some of his characters stereotypical homosexuals and some of his characters, like Harper, often speak English as if it were a second language. I don't know anyone who speaks like this woman does! Several moments in the play become preachy and you often walk away feeling battered and bruised into seeing Kushner's point. But the characters Joe Harper and Roy Cohn make this play a must-read. These two characters are so wonderfully depicted in scenes together and with other characters that you know them by the time you close the book. When you finish Perestroika, you are likely to feel that Kushner sold out, even though the writing is much more audience friendly and less preachy. It is an easier read than Millenium but many of the conflicts end far too conveniently while others will put a smirk on your face. My advice--read these plays twice. Once for enjoyment, and again to try to understand what specifically Kushner is trying to say.
Rating:
Summary: Important Read
Review: I read this over the past few weeks--remembering the 1980's when the AIDS crises hit. This is an important book in that it chronicles the effects this disease has had and its impact on challanging, cultural questions. I also recommend the memoir by Barbara Rose Brooker: "God Doesn't Make Trash" and Shilts' "The Band Played On'. Both moving, both worth reading.
|
