we play ourselves - march 2021 - lesbian film guide

3/11/2021 12 Comments

we play ourselves - march 2021

holly

3/11/2021 07:21:59 am

i got my book and i just started reading it. i am really enjoying the imagery so far. i can't wait for the plot to unravel

Angela

3/12/2021 01:50:56 pm

I enjoyed the story, although not all the characters. Sometimes I hated Cass, especially since I found her self-centered, but I guess her actions were somehow explained by the relationship she had with those around her. Cass is a wreck and I get it why she felt the need to I vent Cath.
The story with Caroline reminded me a bit of The L Word, where Caroline is a mix of Jenny and Dylan, unscrupulous and vain, but living for her art.

holly

3/17/2021 02:54:39 pm

I agree Cass was really frustrating I just wanted to shake her but for some reason it didn't make me hate her...I think the in depth descriptions of her emotions and her reasoning helped me kinda understand where she was coming from most times. Also, wow ok Caroline is so similar to Jenny which makes me hate her even more!!!!

Natalie

3/19/2021 03:10:35 pm

Caroline IS a mix of Jenny and Dylan but worse because she's straight

Mary

3/16/2021 12:45:28 pm

I'm excited about this book club, and this book selection! I used to read a book a week and I don't think I've made it through a whole book in over a year :( I have been trying to read this book for a week and I've read maybe 5 pages haha, but they're great so far. I have 2 young kids and work full time from home, so it's super hard to find time to read, but maybe I'll have this one read by the time everyone else is a few books ahead haha ;) One day I'll have time to read again!

holly

3/17/2021 02:56:45 pm

that's amazing that you are reading again! don't worry about finishing it this month, this blog post will always be here and it's always fun to share your thoughts and see other peoples whether its now or next year!

holly

3/17/2021 03:06:58 pm

I finished the book two days ago, but I just feel like my brain is mush because of how much happened. when I read the plot I really had no idea that so much was going to happen, wow. My general thoughts were that I enjoyed the book, I thought it was really good I loovveedd the author's writing style. I felt like she was like taking thoughts from my brain that I couldn't find the words to express and then expressed them perfectly. For me, the way she wrote really carried the whole book which makes me excited for her future books.

The plot, I actually really enjoyed too, but I know a lot of people found Cass frustrating and self-centered. As someone who grew up a dancer I could really relate to her though with her love for theatre, and I am sure anyone who is involved in the arts or a sport can also relate. Especially the part about when you have your cast for a new production and your in that moment where you know its temporary but you never want it to end, I have felt that way so many times about different dance productions it was so special to see other people having that same feeling.

BTW Spoilers Ahead

I liked all of the characters except Caroline, Caroline sucks. I honestly felt so bad for Liz the whole time though, I just wanted her to find love and be loved back :( . Ok I also high key liked Tara-Jean Slater and I loved that scene where Cass and Tara-Jean hung out at her airbnb. I am so happy we got an insight into Tara-Jean and her depression. This book was really a "you never know what someone is going through " moment the whole time.

Overall obviously I enjoyed the book, I loved how it made me think a lot. Can't wait to hear what you guys thought.

Natalie

3/19/2021 03:11:19 pm

justice for Tara-Jean I'd 100% read a spinoff about her

holly

3/19/2021 03:15:11 pm

oh for sure

Natalie

3/19/2021 03:09:38 pm

I just finished reading! I have some ~thoughts~, but overall, I thought it was a good and entertaining read, although not my favorite. I do think that the book could've been half the length to get Jen Silverman's point across. There were also several themes that sometimes didn't work with each other, but I think the end of the book did a good job at showing Cass's growth — success is not everything, and it can mean so many different things (super fitting right now, as I'm currently living at my parent's house post college). I also was not a huge fan of the writing style (I'm more into poetic styles), but knowing that Silverman is a playwright made me enjoy the sheer amount of dialogue more.

With that being said, I loved the complexity of the characters in this! I at first was bothered by Cass but then found myself relating to her a lot near the end — she's a mess, but at least she embraces her reality at the end. I first was interested in Caroline but then started to dislike her and then absolutely hated her when I found out she was lying to Cass (among many more of her faults). I was invested in B.B.'s character, and I really appreciate the parallels of Helene and Cass to B.B. and Cath. My ~final take~ is that this book was a page turner because so much plot unraveled, and the scene of Cass going OFF on Caroline was so fulfilling because we could feel this anger growing inside her ever since her play didn't get a good review. All of the drama and going back and forth in timelines made me realize how well this would adapt to a T.V. show. Does anyone else agree? I honestly think I would appreciate it more in a show vs. a book, but that's just my opinion (I tend to like books that are focused on one character so we get a deep dive into their minds, but this one had so many characters/plot that sometimes these additions took away from Cass's own mental and emotional journey).

Overall, I enjoyed the book and appreciated how Cass got her moments of closure with all the characters (I especially loved her weird little scene with Tara-Jean, revealing that success doesn't equal pure joy). Sorry this is a LOT but excited to see what y'all think :-)

holly

3/19/2021 03:21:21 pm

Omg , yes as a tv show I 100% agree. that would be so fun and gay. I also loved how this book showed that success is not everything. I loved when Helene was telling Cass about she doesn't feel successful because none of her "success" is tangible. I thought this book did such a good job showing how even the people around you, people you might even envy for their success, might also be grappling with the height of their achievements. Honestly gave me a bit of an existential crisis though.

Melody

4/4/2021 09:16:13 am

The end where she starts stealing trash and art supplies for a sculpture, page 295 paragraph 1. This feels like an excerpt into Spencer Shay’s genius brain

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