Playing a Part

by Daria Wilke, Marian Schwartz

For as long as Grisha can remember, the Moscow puppet theater has been his favorite place in the world, his home away from home. The dressing rooms and workshops, the gorgeous marble lobby, the secret passages backstage—he knows them like the back of his hand, and each time the curtain rises and the stage comes alive, it feels magical.

But life outside the theater is a different story. The boys in Grisha's class bully him mercilessly, and his own grandfather says hateful things about how Grisha's not "macho" enough. And to make things worse, Sam, Grisha's favorite actor and mentor, is moving away: He's leaving the country to escape the extreme homophobia he faces in Russia. Normally, Grisha would turn to his best friend, Sashok, for support, but she's dealing with problems of her own as she faces a potentially life-threatening heart condition.

Grisha's world is crumbling. He needs to find the strength to stand up to bullies and be there for his friends—but how?

Playing a Part, the first young adult novel from Russia to be translated into English, is a story at once brave, heartbreaking, and hopeful.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Russia, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Fiction, Teen

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Kelly]

This really didn't work for me. There was a central conflict -- Sam is leaving Moscow for Holland because it's difficult to be gay in his community -- but it's told from afar from Grisha, who is a bit in love with Sam, as well as laying in a space of trying to be comfortable with who he is. Except, somewhere in the translation (this is from Russian), Grisha's own story gets lost and buried. I know nothing about him, except that he spends nearly all of his time at the puppet theater owned and operated by his family.

It's slow moving, a little stilted in its writing, and not engaging. Will there be readers for it? Sure. But I think there are better books out there, and I think had this been able to better situate the story within the social/political barriers of Russia, it'd be stronger. Readers have to go in with the knowledge, almost, to understand the weight of Sam's decision to leave.

Maybe that was what was missing and what left Grisha's story underwhelming.

[R J Royer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took a while for me to get finished because I left it at my doctor's office and after my doctor read it she lent it to her office staff to see if they felt the same way that she did. The all generally liked the book thought none where very sure why they did. Now that I have finally gotten it back and finished it I can understand why they feel that way. The book being a growing up in the theater life story is simple and yet it grows on you in a way that you would not expect. I was happy to see that the ending was as good as it was and very happy to see that he grew into a good and healthy young man even though he still has issues like all people do. It is a very human story and that is why I think it is so likable.

[WriteKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Playing a Part was an interesting glbtq story set in Russia, but it didn't live up to the potential that I had hoped for, which was ironically fueled by (shall I say it?) the soviet-type propaganda promoting the book.

Daria Wilke's story had an intriguing premise and a decent plot and descriptions. I was initially drawn into the characters, especially the narrator MC and his experiences, family, friends, and desires. I was sympathetic to the circumstances and at times moved. And the setting in Russia was also of interest.

Unfortunately, this reinforced my wariness of translations, because I find they too often seem to lose some of the style, subtleties and richness of the original language. This may be behind what I found lacking in this translation by Marian Schwartz - it was at times flat and simplistic. Issues that could have been poignantly portrayed - its depiction of a bullish society, the determination to fight that and stay true to oneself - ended up being rather stereotypical and not having much contextual or emotional depth or maturity. I realize this was a YA story, but even for that age of reader, I've seen better and more nuanced treatment of these and the other aspects below.

I'm not sure if it was the author or translator or both, but it seemed like this could have been a debut novel in its writing. The plot was not that exciting, at times slow and choppy; the characters were not compelling enough and didn't emotionally draw me in, and though initially interesting, there was too much on puppets and not enough on the MC and other key matters.

Kudos to the Russian publisher for printing this, and I'll give the author credit for venturing into the homophobia of the Russian culture, but this also seemed like an opportunity lost - I yearned to learn more of the Russian culture, and more specifically of what it would be like to be living there as a glbtq person under current circumstances. Since I at least got some of that, and for the credit, I'll give this 3.0 stars.
[I'm excited to have won this as a Goodreads First Read – so thanks, Scholastic!]

[Maryna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Пишут вот в рецензиях, что книга о том, как тяжело взрослеть. Не согласна! Книга совсем не об этом, просто мы видим мир глазами взрослеющего мальчика. Книга больше о том, что вокруг большинство людей вешают ярлыки направо-налево - не встречаешься с девочками? Гей! Не поступила на бухгалтера, а стала актрисой? Дура!

Шутовской колпак - это именно та маска, которую человек одевает на всю жизнь и ведет себя подобающим образом. Есть такой народный итальянский театр масок Сomedia del'Arte, который как ничто лучше характеризирует смысл книги. Есть Панталоне, старый дедушка, презирающий дочь за профессию и внука за друзей. Есть Тарталья, директор Олежка, слабовольный человек, не способный отстаивать театр. Или Бригелла, Сэм, умный, но в силу обстоятельств несчастный герой. И проблема книги не только в ярлыках, которые нам навязывают, но и в нас самих, ярлыки эти принимающие - как раз Сэм свой ярлык и принял, с кривой улыбкой убежав от проблемы. Гриня же свой ярлык не принял и поборолся за самого себя.

Но все равно мне не понравилась книга - очень не люблю, когда взрослые устами детей глаголят истину. Ну как пятиклассник мог выдать фразу "Дети - это ордена"?! Не верю в таких маленьких взрослых. Да и общая атмосфера кукольного театра мне была неприятна - действительно брошенные на самих себя дети, чудаковатые взрослые, куклы эти, брррр. Но самое главное - с неприятным ощущением осознаю, что через месяц я не вспомню даже имя главного героя, а через полгода и вообще забуду сюжет. Какой-то он, затертый, что ли. Не яркий, не запоминающийся.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quietly wonderful book about a Russian teen named Grishka whose parents are actors in a Russian puppet theatre. Grishka is mourning the imminent loss of his friend and mentor, Sam, an actor in the theater and a gay man. To add to his difficulties, his school friends bully him because he is not interested in conforming to their macho male stereotypes, the artist who creates his beloved puppets has been forced to retire, and his best friend Sashok is about to undergo surgery for a heart condition. Some things are out of Grishka's control to change, but he refuses to bow to the will of others who he believes are wrong. The translation is wonderful and the language is lyrical. An eloquent story.

[Natalie Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this is a story that focuses more on the characters than story itself. I really enjoyed reading it, it was a little short and I do think there may have been a couple of errors in translation as some of the phrases sounded very strange, but it was a lovely read!

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

they did not translate мужик as macho

[Edward Melendez · Rating 1 out of 5]

I´m sorry, but a failed attempt in the Coming-of-Age-Genre.
Although my respects to the Author, for being brave enough to write it originally in Russia.

[Lucie DARONNE]

In the text "Playing a Part" the setting gives an insight into a different place and culture. This novel takes place in Moscow in a puppet theather. People in Moscow judge people who are a part of theater because they beleive they are all queer. Grisha's firend tells him " I don't know what if you really are gay? That's what people say. It's popular with you theater people." This suggests that in Moscow gay people are not always accepted and understood. It highlights that people asume most theater people are gay, because they like different things. In addition theater is not considered as something that boys should like. However grisha loves the puppet theater; even when he gets bullied for it he keeps going because it is his way of escaping reality. Even though people in Moscow do not accept him the way he is, he loves the city for its beauty and for the way it feels like home. The settings help Grisha to hold on to his real personality and to be who he really is. These examples of the setting give a bad and a good insight into a different place and culture. It is good because it shows the positive and negative parts of the setting of the text.

[Winona Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

if your coming out of a reading slump this book well no be your friend at first.
it was originally in Russian but was translated into English and somewhere along the way things where drop. I felt like I was lost and couldn't comprehend what was going on but as I pushed through to read it all I picked up a rhythm and started to fill in the blanks with my own conclusions.
as i said i feel like somethings were dropped in translation because a good poution of the book i was lead into thinking that Grisha was an a kid running around his parents workplace and was too young to be apart of the workplace but then later it gives a compltly coinflip that he was just no yet ready to fulling be in the workplace... it was confusing and left me filling in a lot.
so i give it a 4/5 because i feel like too much was left out.

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is atmospheric, and has a lot to work with, but I can't help but feel it didn't amount to all that much -- I loved Grisha's relationship to puppets and puppet-making, and I loved the queer themes it was building up, but it feels like the whole thing was buildup and no story really happened.

[Marie the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I had some problems with this mainly cause of shitty editing, like names not being written the same throughout and stuff. The theme is very important though!! But it didnt make me that engaged and curious. It was a bit weird. Also I wanted to know more about Alex. But it was okay.

[Spencer Rosin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not very good in my opinion. It was hard to follow and the events in the book only seemed loosely connected. It was less of a story and more of a series of events. The characters were hard to like, as they were not really developed too much. Overall, it was a confusing and bad book.

[Fabian Williges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book from a horrible place to grow up gay!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished reading this book over a week ago, yet I am still mulling it over; I've gleaned a main point from it, a set of ideas, but I wonder if I didn't miss something -- this novel is that layered. I want to read it again.
Part of the complexity comes, I believe, from the translation; this is the first Russian YA novel to be translated to English, and there is a darling, slightly stilted quality to the prose that comes across as introspective and almost poetic.

Within the first few pages, we see that Grisha, the protagonist, is quite obviously in love with one of the actors with whom he works at the theater where he lives. For Grisha, this simply is; he does not shrink from his homosexuality, nor does he celebrate it; he does not even acknowledge the fact. Grisha is, on the whole, a timid, sensitive, thoughtful character who sees and feels deeply, and because of his perceptive capabilities, hides himself from others and their potential observations, behind "masks." He loves Sam, the actor, and he loves the Jester, one of Sam's puppet characters; Grisha connects with both of them because of their ability to morph, to become other and to hide their true personas.
Throughout the novel, Grisha struggles with the idea that people seem incapable of being themselves. He knows that he struggles with being true to himself, and just about everybody he encounters hides behind a mask; this is disturbing to him. Eventually, he becomes disgusted with himself for being a jester, for behaving like a marionette when one of its strings has been twitched, and throws off his mask, coming finally into his own and embracing every part of who he is.
With this self-acceptance comes a drive to do, to act, not just to exist in fear; significantly, Grisha even attempts the crafting of his own version of the Jester puppet to give to his friend [whom he calls his godsister] Sashock, who is facing heart surgery.

There are multiple strong themes running throughout this novel -- self-acceptance, acceptance of others, conquering fear, the moral and ethical dilemma that is deciding between what is right and what is necessary, definitions of family and of humanity, politics in the workplace. Over all of this somber, important discussion -- which is handled beautifully -- is a loving anthropomorphic treatment of the theatre itself; under the author's pen it comes alive to assist Grisha and Sashock in their mischiefs, to laugh, to cry, to breathe with the actors and technicians. Clearly, the author is familiar with and enchanted by the magic of that world, and invites the readers into that other realm to be moved as well.

I predict that this book will be treated very simply, as a trendy, politically correct, coming-out, equal rights and equal love YA novel. Readers will empathize with Grisha and enjoy the setting. My fear is that the more subtle but crucial elements will be glossed over, because no one will care to look beyond the surface.
My recommendation, then, is that we suggest this book to our mature young readers and encourage them to dive deeper into the text; there is so much here, concepts worthy of reflection and discussion, and characters that demand love and respect as well as disdain. I don't presume to know what the author intended, but I would like to attribute to her and not to a trick of the translation, the deeply clever and moving nature of this story.

[Christa Seeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic

Playing a Part is a Russian young adult novel that has now been translated into English for the first time. It tells the story of a boy named, Grisha, who has spent most of his formative years in a Russian theatre, where he parents are both performers. He’s grown up backstage amongst the costumes, the and the puppets.


When he’s not forced to go to school, he spends the majority of his time running around backstage with his friends Sashok and Sam. Sashok is the same age as Grisha, but Sam is a little bit older. Sam is also gay. Neither of these things matter to Grisha, but though he is often a little naive, he’s not quite naive enough to believe that Sam’s sexual orientation doesn’t matter to the rest of society.

This is probably best demonstrated through Grisha’s interactions with his grandfather. His grandfather is old fashioned, but the reader gets the impression that his beliefs may not be that uncommon. He disapproves of his daughter’s career choice, her husband and the way they raise his grandson. But above all he disapproves of the way Grisha is allowed to spend time with Sam. As though homosexuality is contagious and something he could infect Grisha with.

A combination of his grandfather’s judgement, being bullied by the more “macho” boys at school, and Sam’s sudden announcement that he’ll be moving away from Russia, forces Grisha to ask a number of questions about himself, who he is, and what he wants out of life. There is no clear conclusion to this self reflection but why should there be? Grisha is young, he still has years to try and figure things out.

Since I don’t read Russian, it’s impossible for me to say whether this translation does the story justice. However, I do think the translator, Marian Schwartz, did an excellent job giving the text a thoughtful, almost poetic, tone. Though the details of the theatre, the puppets and the characters were sparse, it was still a world that I could imagine and easily understood why Grisha found it so magical and life changing.

However, despite the touching prose and the thoughtful nature of Grisha’s internal struggles I couldn’t help but wish for more. This is a short book, with only 176 pages, and I feel as though I was only skimming the surface of the story. I wanted to learn more about the theatre, about Sashok, about Russian life for homosexuals. But it was just a quick taste and then the book was over.

Playing a Part offers readers a quick glance into one boy’s unique upbringing. It was not the more detailed look at the LGBTQ experience in Russia that I was expecting, but it was an enchanting read nonetheless.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grishka loves just about everything about the Moscow puppet theater where his parents work. He is fascinated not only by the performers and the stage but the exquisitely expressive puppets used during the performances. As his friend Sam prepares to leave the country so that he can live without judgment for being openly gay, Grishka is bereft. He, too, faces constant harassment from his classmates and even his former best friend Anton for loving the theater and being somewhat feminine in their eyes. After all, they haven't seen him kissing any girls so he must be "queer," as they say. To add to his woes, his own grandfather has a very limited definition of manhood and how a man should behave, and his grandson disappoints him because he doesn't measure up. This well-written book is quietly meditative, filled with lovely scenes in which the narrator wrestles with his emotions and finds the courage to act in ways that are true to his own feelings. It's hard not to admire him and Sashok, as they try to find a way to fix things once the master puppet maker has been replaced by the son of a wealthy patron. Given the repressive climate toward homosexuality that exists in Russia, this book's very existence seems to represent an act of courage. While some of its passages and attitudes may seem dated by standards here in the United States, that is not the case in Russia. How hard it must be to play a part that no longer fits you in order to remain safe!

[Sarah Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Translated Russian novel highlights a boy’s identity struggle in a strict society. Grisha spends all his time in the Moscow puppet theater where his parents work. He and fellow “theater kid” Sashok have grown up running errands throughout the theater and watching the magic from every angle. Recently, it’s been a welcome shelter from his peers, who have become obsessed with being macho and pick on Grisha for being “strange.” But his world begins to crumble when his hero, actor Sam, announces his decision to leave for Holland to escape the rampant homophobia in Russia. Then, the kindly puppet master Lyolik is forced into retirement and Sashok must prepare for a major surgery. Can Grisha tap into the true spirit of the Jester, wiser than kings, or will he cower behind a false mask? Although this novel tells an intriguing story, it’s poetic, meandering style and unique setting (without any explanatory material in the ARC) may make it inaccessible to many teen readers. Also, the boy’s age is unclear and his internal dialogue makes him seem young. There are also books available for teens that explore queer identity more effectively. Not a priority purchase, but recommended for grades 5 to 7.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for review through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I really enjoyed this book. However, there were some issues.

At a little over half way through, it felt like it was more a book about a puppet master than the main character. Or maybe the actor Sam, but mainly the puppet master.

The time line jumps unexpectedly with almost every interchange. There is not sense of time passing, just jumps from here to there. How long a time does this book cover in the characters lives? I have no idea.

I did enjoy the descriptions. I think that was what kept me going through the book, even with all the weird time jumps.

Even though this book is supposed to be a story about a gay boy trying to deal with life in a homophobic area, the story seems to concentrate more one the surrounding characters. You didn't get to really experience much of what he must have gone through.

I think the book would have been better if it had been longer, and if it had given more story and action to the main character.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

13-year-old Grisha has grown up at the theater. His parents have worked at the puppet theater his whole life. It’s the only life he’s ever known. He feels safe there; his friends are the actors and the puppets - especially the Jester. Outside of the theater, his life is very different. Bullied at school, and by his narrow-minded Grandfather, Grisha longs for the safety and consistency of the stage, but even there, things are starting to change. Sam, the best actor and his closest adult friend is moving to Holland where his lifestyle is more accepted. The puppet master Lyolik has been replaced, and Sashok, the nearest thing he has to a sister is finally getting the surgery she needs. Grisha isn’t sure what’s real anymore.

Translated from Russian, the story is moving and timely. Some themes may be considered mature.

[Matthew Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Playing a Part by Daria Wilke.

The puppet imagery in this book is amazing. Grisha clearly has a love for the puppets and that just adds a lot to the book. He talks about the Joker from the start and ends up making a Joker for his friend, Sashok who is having surgery and has helped him out with the kids that were bullying him at school, (most of this book takes place in the theater with the puppets, Grisha doesn’t seem too interested in school). The only time Grisha feels free is at the theatre. To him the puppets have a heartbeat (they carry and convey emotions). Throughout Grisha struggles with identifying himself. It was really interesting to read a book that had been translated from Russian.

[Raz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complete review available: Playing a Part

On the whole, a quaint and enjoyable read. Wilke truly captures the magic of the world of the theatre from the first page, and shows clear character development. However there are times with disjointed scenes (both in times of setting and time jumps), and the ending seems a little too abrupt. Many themes are lightly addressed in the book, which whilst appearing as a book for young teens, is more character-driven than plot-driven. Still, not a bad quick read, especially for those who love the backstage world at the theatre.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grisha has practically grown up in the puppet theater in Moscow. It is definitely his favorite place and he loves to watch the performers and admire the various puppets. His friend Sashok also finds comfort in the puppet theater but the real world crashes in with bullies, layoffs, illnesses, family struggles, etc.

I enjoyed the story but think middle schoolers will struggle with both the language and the setting. There is a possible selling point for learning about other cultures, however. Also there is a bullying storyline that will provide additional interest for some.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set in Russia, Grisha lives in a puppet theater, where he is fascinated by the art. Everything at the theater is changing; his favorite actor is preparing to the leave country to find a more receptive people in regards to his homosexuality, the famous puppet maker is being forced into retirement by the managers of the theater, and his best friend is going to the hospital to have surgery on her heart. How can Grisha save the theater he loves so much?

I found this book boring. Most of the narrative was spent on the puppetry, instead of on characters or plot points.

[Kassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This honestly was a very confusing read for me. It seemed to straddle a line between young adult and middle grade, and lacked a central conflict. The writing was lovely and subtle, but I felt that I didn't get to know the characters very well, yet still had a detailed seven-page description of how to make a puppet. I have always loved the intersection of queerness and theatre and I think Russia was a fantastic background for this story, but I wanted more.

[Liza Wiemer]

Playing A Part is an important novel about standing up for those you care about and not allow other to bully you or your friends.

This is a very quick read with the setting almost completely in a Moscow theater.

Overall, I found this to be an empowering novel about standing up and speaking out against homophobic jerks.

Full review to come, but I commend the author for speaking out.

Thank you to Scholastic for the ARC.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Russian teen Grisha reflects on sexual orientation and the politics of a puppet theatre. This is a muted work, with most of the tension being brought in by readers with knowledge of homophobia in Russia and current events there. This book is on the younger side of YA, a GLBT book for those looking for someone more mature than a middle reader, but also not wanting something sexual or gruesome.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. The writing was sweet and honest, however the storyline did not know where it wanted to go. I also felt like the translation was a bit rough around the edges.

[Jenni Frencham]

Because of my work on the Stonewall Book Award Committee, I cannot publicize my opinions regarding any book with LGBT themes. I may update these reviews after the announcement of the 2016 Stonewall Book Awards.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is short and sweet. In a few chapters in a short span of time, we meet wonderful characters, and are told of another's life. This meek protagonists gets some guts and comes to terms with himself in an amazing way.