Bombshells

by Joanna Murray-Smith

“The teenager, the bride to be, the exhausted young mother, the lonely widow . . . they are funny and often touching in these four monologues deftly written by Joanna Murray-Smith. Little gems, as observant as anything in Alan Bennet’s Talking Heads—and considerably less static.”—Guardian

Genres: Plays, School, Read For School

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Australian playwright.

Reviews

[Asami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A required reading which was short and interesting. Quite entertaining for a school book.

[Billy Jepma · Rating 4 out of 5]

As brief as this monologue-compilation play is, Murray Smith makes it hit you fast and hard. Each of the 6 distinct monologues, while a bit tropey in their characterization, showcases a woman who feels somehow trapped in a performance she no longer wants to be a part of. Whether that's the role of an overworked mother, a lonely widow, an egotistical teenager, or a manic bride-to-be, Murray-Smith's characters extract a compelling level of realism from an otherwise exaggerated presentation. Some added nuance would have been nice, but honestly, this isn't meant to be a nuanced play. This is meant to be a wild and captivating exploration of women in very different walks of life somehow all struggling with the same crisis of identity. And in that sense, "Bombshells" works incredibly well, and is simultaneously moving, hysterical, upsetting, and inspiring.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very fitting accompaniment to The Penelopiad in the comparative unit. So very early naughties that I read the whole thing in a state of cultural cringe. I found the six characters to be relatable but excruciating caricatures of the various aspects of being a woman.

[Duncan Hendry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of six monologues which stretch every part of human life. Funny, morbid, unexpected. Great stuff.

[Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great monologue, best seen (as intended) and not read. Felt a real connection to the struggles of the different female archetypes.

[aya · Rating 1 out of 5]

A boring book with unenjoyable characters that seem to be written by a misogynist rather than a woman

[Sparksfly510 · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring, only read it because I was forced to!

[Rebecca Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was kind of ok at times but some of the writing was ridiculous.

[Ashi · Rating 1 out of 5]

If one is looking for six ‘unique’ monologues, Bombshells is hardly the place to find them. Each woman should feel different, but instead feel like rehashes of the monologue that came before. It would have worked better as a set of monologues from the same woman at different stages of her life, seeing as the playwright was intent writing six iterations of the same character. Each woman is white (which is amplified as a problem by the casual racism in these monologues, especially the pseudo-minstrel show Mary puts on), aggressively hetrosexual in how they base of so much of their lives around men and feel artificial in their ‘strangeness’ (they would probably self-describe themselves as ‘wacky’).

My favourite by far (and the only one I slightly liked) was the monologue about the widow. It was refreshing to see a woman over the age of sixty as the subject of desire, although the erotic language was a tad bit inane.

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six voices, loosely related to each other yet decidedly individual. Some voices stood out to me, they were well-written and fascinating - but others were too cliche, too transparent. Not a difficult read whatsoever.

[Jane Milton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for year 12 exam marking. It’s a pretty good representation of ‘everywoman’, though it reads as a little dated now. And perhaps a bit conservative? I’m sure would be great as live performance. Winsome’s story will resonate, that’s for sure...
3 and a half

[kie-dizzle · Rating 2 out of 5]

bombshells was a very interesting read. i didn’t have very high expectations going into it, but was intrigued. some characters i loved more than others. some were easier to follow than others. overall good read.

[Bridget · Rating 1 out of 5]

wit & clit

[RocksaIt · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny

[lily♡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

school read. tbh if gave girlboss energy. short read (which i’m more than grateful for after buriel rites).

[Sienna Scarpa]

Another school book but pretty girl bossy

[K R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short play with a big impact on the reader.

[Nila · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting set of monologues!

[Pieter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in class and I actually really liked it. It was fun and naughty and sad in so many different ways and places. I'd love to watch the play some day, must be on YouTube somewhere

[Ali Molenaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lezen is leuk. Dit zien is nog veel leuker. Als het goed gespeeld wordt, zijn dit geweldige monologen

[Lola Grynt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was required year 11 reading. Had some nice themes but I wasn't a fan of the play/short story style.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[luca sardelis]

Six women monologuing. Babies, marriage, love, loss ageing, competition. These characters are all going through it- the things we all go through.

[teresa miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

the writing style is so distinctive and the characters are so strange (yet troubled) that it's definitely a hit-or-miss kind of book. sadly, it's a miss for me, but good thing that it's a relatively short book.

[keely (taylor’s version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

bombshells was a very interesting read. i didn’t have very high expectations going into it, but was intrigued. some characters i loved more than others. some were easier to follow than others. overall good read.

[Feistykel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cleverly written and identifiable characters.

[via · Rating 1 out of 5]

read for school