Rate this book

Reasons To Be Pretty (2008)

by Neil LaBute(Favorite Author)
3.58 of 5 Votes: 2
ISBN
0865479984 (ISBN13: 9780865479982)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Faber & Faber
series
Reasons to Be...
review 1: The play begins with what is probably the most intense, expletive-driven, flesh-searing argument in the fiery LaBute canon, delivered by a very, very angry young woman to her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend.The boyfriend's mistake? Telling a co-worker that his girlfriend was not pretty but regular... Labute accurately captures the superficiality that lurks just beneath the surface of our civilized veneer.
review 2: Although it is nice to see one of Labute's characters actually grow, I think I prefer the other plays I've read of his (although a more recent reading of them would provide a better means of comparing) That said, Reasons is still solidly high quality, as I've come to expect from Labute. Real talent for dialogue (once you get used to reading with the slas
... morehes to overlap lines) and he's not easy on his characters, doesn't insist on giving you a traditional happy ending, but usually finds one that's satisfying nonetheless. I read the 2008 first edition & would be interested in checking out the rewrites that resulted from working it in production. I know the monologues for each character were cut (which seems justifiable--the characters came across well enough in interaction) but would like to see what else, if anything, was altered, undoubtedly for the better (or why do it?) less
Reviews (see all)
xkatzlovex
I loved the raw writing style of this author! The plot was so simple, but I loved it!
Jenna
A great play and I am so excited to see Reasons to be Happy this week!
plushko
Charged language as always from his pieces. But left me numb.
nick
great play. love the ending!
Write review
Review will shown on site after approval.
(Review will shown on site after approval)