Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
32(32%)
3 stars
31(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 15,2025
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I went there too fast.

There is a lot to think about in this play.

The rating of 3.8 out of 5 indicates that it has certain merits, but also some areas that need improvement.

Perhaps I didn't have enough time to fully appreciate and understand all the details and subtleties.

Next time, I should slow down and take my time to soak in the atmosphere and essence of the play.

Maybe then, I will have a more profound and comprehensive experience.

I look forward to the opportunity to revisit this play and gain more insights.

July 15,2025
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Let me admit that after reading this play, this came to my mind:

"Who the hell gave you the Nobel Prize, you pervert of the... We are not at all interested in your sexual fantasies."

I was so eager that I wanted to run out of the class. But today, it is definitely one of the plays that I am interested in. On the contrary, the painter should not show resistance. It is only necessary to give him a little time.

However, we should also view such works objectively. Although they may contain some bold and controversial content, they can also provide us with different perspectives and启发. We can analyze and discuss them to better understand the complexity of human nature and society. At the same time, we should also respect the creative freedom of artists and not simply label or censor them.

In short, this play has brought me some thoughts and feelings, and I look forward to more in-depth exploration and discussion of similar works in the future.
July 15,2025
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Reading a play is almost like defeating its very essence. Without witnessing a live performance by actors who have delved into the subtleties of their characters and understood the nuanced cues to portray events not always explicitly on the page, one doesn't get the full impact. However, a well-written play can still hold its own as a piece of literature when read. And it's safe to say that "The Homecoming" does just that.


"The Homecoming" tells the story of a man who returns to his North London home with his wife after six years. He is a philosophy professor in the US, while his family is clearly working-class. Teddy, the one who escaped, struggles to stand up to his father Max and his pimp brother Lenny. The youngest child, Joey, is all brawn and no brains. Ruth, Teddy's wife, soon asserts her own will, and a truly strange dance begins between her and the men of the house, quickly evolving into a Freudian sexual psycho-drama.


This is my first real foray into the works of Harold Pinter, one of the most renowned recent British playwrights. It's a remarkable piece. The conflict between the upper and lower classes, Teddy's aspirations versus the harsh reality of his roots, and Ruth's desire to break free from the limitations of her middle-class life all unfold in this short yet effective drama, which in some ways is almost a tragedy. I suspect some aspects may seem dated now, but at the time of its original production, it must have been shocking. It's a strange little play, but a powerful one, very much in the vein of the kitchen-sink dramas that were dominating the stage in postwar Britain. In a sense, "The Homecoming" is like a horror movie.

July 15,2025
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Absurdity at its finest.

I find myself in a state of utter confusion as to how I should feel about this play. Should I be appalled by its strange and seemingly nonsensical nature? Or perhaps I should be sad, for the emotions it stirs within me are complex and hard to define.

Maybe I should be mad, angry at the audacity of the playwright to present such a work. Or could it be that I am grief-stricken, mourning the loss of what I thought a play should be?

Truly Pinteresque! This play embodies the essence of Harold Pinter's style, with its ambiguous dialogue, unexpected pauses, and underlying sense of unease.

It challenges our perception of reality and forces us to question the meaning and purpose of the art form.

Whether we love it or hate it, there is no denying the impact that this play has on us. It leaves us with a lingering sense of wonder and a desire to explore the depths of our own emotions.

It is a testament to the power of theater to evoke strong reactions and to make us think about the world around us in new and different ways.

July 15,2025
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Ok, sure. Ruth likes to get around. Indeed, this might never happen and yes, the play is very twisted. It contains profanity and some scenes, conversations, and actions that are just plain wrong. However, I don't think there is a need to label it as horrible or the worst ever. It has its own beauty. The plot is complex, and the characters are amazing, remaining true to themselves from start to finish.


I spent a significant amount of time attempting to figure out what they would say next, but I was always wrong. Well, it did make me feel a bit sick and embarrassed. This was because we were forced to read it in class, and there were certain parts where I wished we could have stopped reading. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it.


Amazingly enough, this is one of the plays that I understood the best. It delves into the dark side of mankind. After struggling through it, I grew to appreciate it. I think it might have been a bit of going against the whole class, but it simply has its own unique beauty and art within it. It's just not that easy to discover.

July 15,2025
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Weird Incest

Incest is a topic that is often considered taboo and strange in most societies. It refers to sexual relations between close relatives, such as siblings, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren. The idea of incestuous relationships goes against the norms and values that have been established over time to maintain the stability and order of families and society.

The reasons why incest is regarded as weird are numerous. Firstly, it can lead to genetic problems and birth defects in offspring. Close relatives share a significant portion of their genetic material, and when they have children together, the chances of passing on harmful recessive genes increase. This can result in a higher incidence of genetic disorders and disabilities in the children.

Secondly, incestuous relationships can cause psychological and emotional harm to the individuals involved. It can disrupt the normal family dynamics and relationships, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and confusion. The stigma and social ostracism associated with incest can also have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of the people involved.

In conclusion, incest is a weird and unacceptable behavior that goes against the basic principles of human society. It can have serious consequences for the physical and mental health of the individuals and their families. We should respect the norms and values of society and avoid engaging in any form of incestuous behavior.
July 15,2025
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Wow!

This one is extremely tough to read. There are so many dysfunctional characters in it, and the story is truly mind-blowing.

I find myself constantly pondering and trying to figure out what that particular character, Ruth, was up to.

Was she actually mad, or was she just overly intelligent and manipulative?

Her actions and behaviors are so ambiguous that it's hard to come to a definite conclusion.

Maybe she was a combination of both, or perhaps there was something more complex going on beneath the surface.

The more I think about it, the more intrigued I become.

This story has really got me hooked, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.

It makes me question the nature of human behavior and the many different ways in which people can interact and influence each other.

Overall, it's a fascinating read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
July 15,2025
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Professor of philosophy returns with his American wife for what would be a short visit to his family - father, uncle and two brothers - in England.

The family equilibrium rearranges with the presence of the female. The wife - the only woman in the play - seems to have an unhappy marriage in the United States. Father, uncle and brothers make her a proposal: to live with them and prostitute herself. The husband hears everything without being shocked. He accepts the situation. Thus, she gets involved with the other characters and stays with the husband's family, while he returns home, to his three children.

More than a catharsis, in which an unhappy woman in marriage abandons her husband, I had the impression that everything slowly slides into the 'absurd', in which the strangest situations are seen as normal - like the husband not being offended by the offer made to his wife.

Perhaps this is the very symbol of modernity. The absurd is that nothing is absurd.
July 15,2025
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What did I just read? Femme fatale meets a dysfunctional family, angry men, and mommy issues? It's truly a chaotic and mind-boggling combination.

I have so many questions right now. How did these elements come together in such a strange and perhaps disturbing way? What was the author trying to convey through this complex web of characters and their issues?

This was the last straw for me to understand how much I hated reading Pinter's plays. His works always seem to be filled with such ambiguity and darkness, leaving me feeling confused and often a bit frustrated. I just can't seem to find the enjoyment or the deeper meaning that others might see in his writing. Maybe it's just not for me, but I do wonder if there is something more that I'm missing.

July 15,2025
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This play wasn't quite as excellent as The Birthday Party. It is significantly more cryptic, yet Pinter truly has the ability to tear off the facade of human interaction.

This particular work is far more realistic than The Birthday Party. It portrays a dysfunctional family in London. The eldest son has been in America for six years with his wife, whom he eloped with right before departing from London.

Without giving away any spoilers, the strange ending presents the same sort of isolation as that found in The Birthday Party. It's clear that Pinter is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. His unique style and ability to delve deep into the complex nature of human relationships and interactions make his works truly captivating and thought-provoking.

Each play seems to offer a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the human condition, leaving the reader or viewer with much to ponder long after the final page or curtain call.

I look forward to exploring more of Pinter's works and seeing what other hidden gems he has in store.
July 15,2025
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Incredibly disturbing...


Pinter, without resorting to blatant violence or obscene language, ingeniously crafts an environment of unrivaled menace. His means are simply language, or rather, the power of what is left unsaid, and the layers of paradox emerging from a trio of inconsistent character behaviors, statuses, and conceptions of the past.


As I read, I constantly questioned the "validity" of nearly everything each character did and said. And did I mention this play is also incredibly funny?


Although "The Homecoming" is a major mind-bender in terms of character behavior, it is ultimately quite transparent. The facts are presented clearly; yet it is unthinkable for the viewer that what is happening goes unchallenged.


Unsurprisingly, critics criticized "The Homecoming" for various reasons. My favorite being its "amorality" and "thematic ambiguity." I mean, how can a play be so captivating and still make you wonder, "what was the 'point' of that story?" Pinter is a unique talent who will surely be missed.

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