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Dramarama
Two theater-mad, self-invented fabulous Ohio teenagers. One boy, one girl. One gay, one straight. One black, one white. And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP. It's a season of hormones, gold lame, hissy fits, jazz hands, song and dance, true love, and unitards that will determine their future--and test their friendship.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
58 people are currently reading
4771 people want to read
About the author
E. Lockhart
35 books16.7k followersE. Lockhart is the author of Again Again, Genuine Fraud, We Were Liars and Family of Liars, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and several other books. Whistle: A New Gotham CIty Hero is a graphic novel. We Were Liars is also a TV show on Prime Video, June 2025. We Fell Apart, book 3 in the We Were Liars universe, publishes November 2025.
website: www.emilylockhart.com
Instagram, Threads & TikTok: elockhartbooks
website: www.emilylockhart.com
Instagram, Threads & TikTok: elockhartbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 569 reviews
February 3, 2019
So what happens when you finally escape your small-minded high school for the glories of drama camp, you large-souled drama person, you?
Well, it should turn out perfectly of course. Except what if it doesn't, or at least not the way you planned?
If you're Sadye, the great-souled, loud, determined theatre-kid protagonist, you reach inside yourself down to your toes and you keep fighting and working. Surely that should be enough to edge you into the spotlight where you belong. And that's where the story gets interesting.
Lockhart nails the drama camp/band camp milieu. Drama geeks, band jocks, choir nerds will all recognize the heady-but-toxic camp atmosphere, where competition is exhilarating but it's also nonstop and of course, cruel. Auditions sort winners from losers, and Sadye's repeatedly pulled up short, finding that kids she's knowledgably pegged as losers emerge with secret skills come audition time. And the adults at camp seem more concerned with staging a good show than being fair to all the kids.
I loved this book because it rang true from beginning to end. The end should be troubling to you only if you insist on always hearing about the stars of the show. And dammit, those people get enough written about them already.
Well, it should turn out perfectly of course. Except what if it doesn't, or at least not the way you planned?
If you're Sadye, the great-souled, loud, determined theatre-kid protagonist, you reach inside yourself down to your toes and you keep fighting and working. Surely that should be enough to edge you into the spotlight where you belong. And that's where the story gets interesting.
Lockhart nails the drama camp/band camp milieu. Drama geeks, band jocks, choir nerds will all recognize the heady-but-toxic camp atmosphere, where competition is exhilarating but it's also nonstop and of course, cruel. Auditions sort winners from losers, and Sadye's repeatedly pulled up short, finding that kids she's knowledgably pegged as losers emerge with secret skills come audition time. And the adults at camp seem more concerned with staging a good show than being fair to all the kids.
I loved this book because it rang true from beginning to end. The end should be troubling to you only if you insist on always hearing about the stars of the show. And dammit, those people get enough written about them already.
November 13, 2010
This book is the equivalent of meeting a really cute guy at a party, chatting and dancing for the night, then when it all comes down to it, he comes in to kiss you and throws up in your face. Er, what I imagine it would be like because it hasn't happened to me.
By that analogy, I mean that I was along for the ride and I was enjoying myself and then the plot turned to total sh&^ and I hated pretty much everyone, the second half of the plot, and I hated the ending (can we say depressing much?). It's just too bad because that guy was really cute and fun for the first part of my evening...
On the plus side, the reader was fabulous. I'm saddened by this book because E. Lockhart has been amazing in my other adventures into her work. Sigh.
By that analogy, I mean that I was along for the ride and I was enjoying myself and then the plot turned to total sh&^ and I hated pretty much everyone, the second half of the plot, and I hated the ending (can we say depressing much?). It's just too bad because that guy was really cute and fun for the first part of my evening...
On the plus side, the reader was fabulous. I'm saddened by this book because E. Lockhart has been amazing in my other adventures into her work. Sigh.
July 2, 2011
After reading Dramarama, I have decided that I really, truly like E. Lockhart’s writing. I enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and I absolutely loved this. I like that all of her characters have deep, consistent flaws that affect everything they do, that not everything works out into a neat package for them, and that they are strong despite, or because, of it.
This book is about my people, and it was incredible to see how much of my life is in those pages (and it means theater people really are the same at heart, in all their incarnations…). I can’t say how much you’d like it if you’re not a theater person, because I am one. But if you are, it is a must-read. Everything is here: those insanely talented friends we all have that we love and yet can’t help but be jealous of, the directors we adore as people but can’t stand when they’re directing, thinking you’re special and wondering if you really are what you think after being taken down a few pegs. It’s a beautiful, addicting, strange world to inhabit, and it makes for a wonderful story.
In particular, the character Lyle says something that entirely sums up the world, and the book: “I meant that this place can be hard as hell to take. There’s a lot of blood spilled in the creation of musical comedy…it’s dysfunctional.” From my own experience, and from the book’s, this is clearly Truth in Television. But in spite of the difficulties, rivalries, etc. that course through production, theater is family. It’s home. For me, it’s one of the very, very few things that has been with me my entire life. For Sadye, it’s a way out of Ohio. Our fall play, as anyone at my school will tell you, was very nearly a complete and total disaster. We had prima donnas, chaotic directing, a huge cast for a play, personal problems; you name it, we had it. By contrast, the spring musical was as smooth as butter in nearly all aspects. But you know? The musical didn’t feel like we were a family. During the play, everyone hated everyone at some point, malicious gossip was spread, and we all wanted to savagely murder each other, but afterward we were so much closer as people, and learned quite a bit more in the process. It’s much the same in the book.
What I love in both Dramarama and The Disreputabe History of Frankie Landau-Banks is that you have to be yourself to be happy. It’s hard to do that, and you may not like who you are, but it’s worth it to find out. It could be a very cheesy thing, but Lockhart delivers her message very subtly, with humor and forgiveness.
This book also gives light and life to theater beautifully – among the dysfunctions, it really shows the joy that drama will give a person. The way that we become close instantly, the acceptance, the wonderful, wonderful, wonderful addiction to performing and the glamour, the hours of work. This is why the theater is home – no matter how good or bad you are, or your problems, there’s still why you’re there in the first place, and you won’t ever forget it. For some, it exists as a collection of memories, or regret, a career, a hobby. It comes in different forms, all beloved by someone. Sadye is a dancer, and her experience with that is explored, while her friends are big belters and actors; methods of directing are discussed with the characters of Jacob Morales and Rianne. It’s a good world.
I wish some of the side characters had been explored a little more, but that’s not to say that they didn’t get a good amount of development, especially Sadye’s roommates. Nanette especially, and her relationship with the other characters, is a very interesting case. Where I dance, we have a very similar girl, and more on a smaller scale, and it’s interesting where Lockhart takes that role.
Dramarama is a good book, almost great. It’s well worth your time, and it’s also one of the few books I’ve read that really captures theater well. If you are a theater person, or if you hang out with theater people, you ought to be picking it up right now.
Side note: I love the cover for this book. It's the perfect mixture of old-fashioned glamour, sparkly pizazz and anonymity that belongs to theater.
This book is about my people, and it was incredible to see how much of my life is in those pages (and it means theater people really are the same at heart, in all their incarnations…). I can’t say how much you’d like it if you’re not a theater person, because I am one. But if you are, it is a must-read. Everything is here: those insanely talented friends we all have that we love and yet can’t help but be jealous of, the directors we adore as people but can’t stand when they’re directing, thinking you’re special and wondering if you really are what you think after being taken down a few pegs. It’s a beautiful, addicting, strange world to inhabit, and it makes for a wonderful story.
In particular, the character Lyle says something that entirely sums up the world, and the book: “I meant that this place can be hard as hell to take. There’s a lot of blood spilled in the creation of musical comedy…it’s dysfunctional.” From my own experience, and from the book’s, this is clearly Truth in Television. But in spite of the difficulties, rivalries, etc. that course through production, theater is family. It’s home. For me, it’s one of the very, very few things that has been with me my entire life. For Sadye, it’s a way out of Ohio. Our fall play, as anyone at my school will tell you, was very nearly a complete and total disaster. We had prima donnas, chaotic directing, a huge cast for a play, personal problems; you name it, we had it. By contrast, the spring musical was as smooth as butter in nearly all aspects. But you know? The musical didn’t feel like we were a family. During the play, everyone hated everyone at some point, malicious gossip was spread, and we all wanted to savagely murder each other, but afterward we were so much closer as people, and learned quite a bit more in the process. It’s much the same in the book.
What I love in both Dramarama and The Disreputabe History of Frankie Landau-Banks is that you have to be yourself to be happy. It’s hard to do that, and you may not like who you are, but it’s worth it to find out. It could be a very cheesy thing, but Lockhart delivers her message very subtly, with humor and forgiveness.
This book also gives light and life to theater beautifully – among the dysfunctions, it really shows the joy that drama will give a person. The way that we become close instantly, the acceptance, the wonderful, wonderful, wonderful addiction to performing and the glamour, the hours of work. This is why the theater is home – no matter how good or bad you are, or your problems, there’s still why you’re there in the first place, and you won’t ever forget it. For some, it exists as a collection of memories, or regret, a career, a hobby. It comes in different forms, all beloved by someone. Sadye is a dancer, and her experience with that is explored, while her friends are big belters and actors; methods of directing are discussed with the characters of Jacob Morales and Rianne. It’s a good world.
I wish some of the side characters had been explored a little more, but that’s not to say that they didn’t get a good amount of development, especially Sadye’s roommates. Nanette especially, and her relationship with the other characters, is a very interesting case. Where I dance, we have a very similar girl, and more on a smaller scale, and it’s interesting where Lockhart takes that role.
Dramarama is a good book, almost great. It’s well worth your time, and it’s also one of the few books I’ve read that really captures theater well. If you are a theater person, or if you hang out with theater people, you ought to be picking it up right now.
Side note: I love the cover for this book. It's the perfect mixture of old-fashioned glamour, sparkly pizazz and anonymity that belongs to theater.
June 28, 2009
This is a book about Sarah (aka Sadye) - a girl whose ambitions are too big for her small and conventional Ohio town. Her life just doesn't have that razzle-dazzle that she craves. She dreams of being special, noticed, a center of attention. She thinks musical theater is the place where she rightfully belongs. However, after spending a summer at a drama camp, Sadye realizes that her talents are not adequate to her ambitions. The gap between her and her more talented friends widens and she finds herself searching for a new direction in life.
This is definitely not the best of E. Lockhart’s books in my opinion. Just like with “Fly on the Wall,” I couldn’t quite identify with the main character. Artistic (and in this case musical-crazed) types are just not my thing. I found it hard to enjoy some parts of the books because I was simply unfamiliar with the musical theater scene. Also, Sadye wasn’t a very sympathetic character prone to over-dramatizing things. She was often selfish and inconsiderate.
Having said that, I have to give Lockhart credit for creating another self-discovery book where she emphasizes the importance of objectively evaluating ones abilities and moving on after a crash of life-long dreams.
This is definitely not the best of E. Lockhart’s books in my opinion. Just like with “Fly on the Wall,” I couldn’t quite identify with the main character. Artistic (and in this case musical-crazed) types are just not my thing. I found it hard to enjoy some parts of the books because I was simply unfamiliar with the musical theater scene. Also, Sadye wasn’t a very sympathetic character prone to over-dramatizing things. She was often selfish and inconsiderate.
Having said that, I have to give Lockhart credit for creating another self-discovery book where she emphasizes the importance of objectively evaluating ones abilities and moving on after a crash of life-long dreams.
October 4, 2010
After abandoning the Brilliance Audio craptastic recording:
No star rating. I abandoned it because of the horrors of the reader. They hired a Broadway actress and she read like she was emoting to the 50th row. Also, imagine a small squeaky blonde (think "Popular" from Wicked) trying to voice a gay black teenage boy.
Altogether yikes.
I'm loving E. Lockhart these days, so I'll probably give the actual book a try.
After reading the book:
This review is nothing but spoilerific.
Be warned.
Arrrrrrgh. I hate books like this. I hate it when the viewpoint character has to learn a lesson and be miserable. i really think Lockhart began the book at the wrong place--at least for me. The right place to begin it would be Sadye getting kicked out of drama camp, like she began The Boyfriend List after Ruby had been ostracized by all her friends. Instead, it happens almost at the end, and then there's just like 30 more pages of misery.
And I HATE that Sadye's redemption came so late (it barely happened at all) and I don't CARE that that's more realistic. It was clear that Sadye was pushing toward discovering something significant about herself through most of the book--and she's not really allowed to discover it.
I don't know. Maybe this book needed 50 or 75 or 100 more pages to be the book I wanted it to be--for Demi to be a deeper and more realized character, for Sadye, who was a deep and realized character, to find herself.
I admit it--I don't like ambiguity and unrealized potential. I like characters to discover their own star quality, even if they're not stars of the show. I realize that life is often anticlimactic, but in a book about drama camp, for pete's sake, is it so wrong to be frustrated when the viewpoint character gets kicked out before the actual shows??
I trust E. Lockhart enough to believe that she did all this on purpose. Life's not a musical, and not everyone can be everything. I get it.
But I don't have to like it.
No star rating. I abandoned it because of the horrors of the reader. They hired a Broadway actress and she read like she was emoting to the 50th row. Also, imagine a small squeaky blonde (think "Popular" from Wicked) trying to voice a gay black teenage boy.
Altogether yikes.
I'm loving E. Lockhart these days, so I'll probably give the actual book a try.
After reading the book:
This review is nothing but spoilerific.
Be warned.
Arrrrrrgh. I hate books like this. I hate it when the viewpoint character has to learn a lesson and be miserable. i really think Lockhart began the book at the wrong place--at least for me. The right place to begin it would be Sadye getting kicked out of drama camp, like she began The Boyfriend List after Ruby had been ostracized by all her friends. Instead, it happens almost at the end, and then there's just like 30 more pages of misery.
And I HATE that Sadye's redemption came so late (it barely happened at all) and I don't CARE that that's more realistic. It was clear that Sadye was pushing toward discovering something significant about herself through most of the book--and she's not really allowed to discover it.
I don't know. Maybe this book needed 50 or 75 or 100 more pages to be the book I wanted it to be--for Demi to be a deeper and more realized character, for Sadye, who was a deep and realized character, to find herself.
I admit it--I don't like ambiguity and unrealized potential. I like characters to discover their own star quality, even if they're not stars of the show. I realize that life is often anticlimactic, but in a book about drama camp, for pete's sake, is it so wrong to be frustrated when the viewpoint character gets kicked out before the actual shows??
I trust E. Lockhart enough to believe that she did all this on purpose. Life's not a musical, and not everyone can be everything. I get it.
But I don't have to like it.
November 17, 2010
This is actually my second time reading Dramarama. I chose to read it again for this project specifically because I didn't quite like it the first time, but I couldn't quite explain why. In general, I feel about E. Lockhart the way Sadye feels about Liza Minelli: I revere her utterly. Her Ruby Oliver books are criminally underrated and I think that The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is one of the most cogent deconstructions of systematic privilege I've encountered anywhere. Dramarama shares a host of strengths with these books, the two most important being excellent characterization and Lockhart's trademark social analysis. As a former drama geek who attended an intensive summer acting program, Lockhart's ability to capture the cast of characters such an institution would attract is remarkable. Sadye's initially condescending relationship to Candie, her pathetically eager but monumentally talented roommate, is especially well-drawn. Moreover, the gimlet eye Lockhart turns on the theater world is incisive and intelligent. Lockhart is careful to never gives Sadye insights above her age, but she still managing to unpack how Morales, the wildly successful but callous Broadway director, hurts his students in the name of art by putting them in boxes, or manipulating their emotions. The way Lockhart can capture this warts and all theater world and still make it magnetically appealing is truly impressive.
In spite of these strengths, the book still doesn't quite work for me, because it's just too hard on poor Sadye. She bombs her auditions, loses her best friend to the theatrical meritocracy, gets kicked out of Wildewood for drinking and talking back to her teachers, and has to go home, alone, to miserable Brentwood. Once home, she doesn't even hear from her otherwise adorable love interest, Theo. The book ends on an encouraging note, with Sadye and Demi meeting in Times Square, both still chasing their razzle-dazzle dreams, but it's not enough for me. Going through the book is genuinely painful, because Sadye is demonstrating enormous talent for directing at every turn, but all anyone sees are the ways she's failing as a performer. At a serious acting camp like Wildewood, it's probably a realistic depiction of the instructor's attitudes, but it maddens me just the same. I really wanted ONE PERSON in the book to say "Hey, Sadye, have you ever thought about directing?" and acknowledge her skill and specialness, but no one does. As I said, I am sure that's realistic, but it's also heartbreaking. So, I guess this book is ultimately hard for me because I can't bust in and hug Sadye. She has to go it alone.
In one way, it's a testament to Lockhart's writing, because she clearly manages to create characters who I cherish and want fiercely to protect. But, ultimately, it can make this book almost too hard for me to read.
In spite of these strengths, the book still doesn't quite work for me, because it's just too hard on poor Sadye. She bombs her auditions, loses her best friend to the theatrical meritocracy, gets kicked out of Wildewood for drinking and talking back to her teachers, and has to go home, alone, to miserable Brentwood. Once home, she doesn't even hear from her otherwise adorable love interest, Theo. The book ends on an encouraging note, with Sadye and Demi meeting in Times Square, both still chasing their razzle-dazzle dreams, but it's not enough for me. Going through the book is genuinely painful, because Sadye is demonstrating enormous talent for directing at every turn, but all anyone sees are the ways she's failing as a performer. At a serious acting camp like Wildewood, it's probably a realistic depiction of the instructor's attitudes, but it maddens me just the same. I really wanted ONE PERSON in the book to say "Hey, Sadye, have you ever thought about directing?" and acknowledge her skill and specialness, but no one does. As I said, I am sure that's realistic, but it's also heartbreaking. So, I guess this book is ultimately hard for me because I can't bust in and hug Sadye. She has to go it alone.
In one way, it's a testament to Lockhart's writing, because she clearly manages to create characters who I cherish and want fiercely to protect. But, ultimately, it can make this book almost too hard for me to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2008
Wow, as a self proclaimed theatre geek and drama teacher, I completely adored this book from beginning to end. It was charming, cute, current, relevant, refreshing, and honest, infused with fun references to Broadway musicals, theatre facts, and approaches to acting.
But theatre is really just the backdrop here: switching between the first person narration of the main character Sadye and transcripts of voice recordings between Sadye and her friends as they document a summer at drama camp, Lockhart manages to bring together a diverse cast of believable teen characters, each from a differnet part of the country and each struggling on some level with their own identity, who form a fast bond through their love of the stage.
Reading this book for me was like revisiting my high school years in the drama club and I wished throughout that I could gone to this wonderful camp!
But theatre is really just the backdrop here: switching between the first person narration of the main character Sadye and transcripts of voice recordings between Sadye and her friends as they document a summer at drama camp, Lockhart manages to bring together a diverse cast of believable teen characters, each from a differnet part of the country and each struggling on some level with their own identity, who form a fast bond through their love of the stage.
Reading this book for me was like revisiting my high school years in the drama club and I wished throughout that I could gone to this wonderful camp!
December 28, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book! Dramarama is full of excitement, new friendships and of course drama!
The book follows Sadye over one summer as she auditions at and then goes on to attend a summer drama camp.
From the outset, I really liked Sadye and Demi's friendship - in particular how supportive and encouraging Demi was to Sadye after just their first time talking to each other.
Whilst I liked Sadye and Demi's friendship, I wasn't too sure if I actually liked Sadye herself in the beginning. She appeared to be quite jealous of the others at Wildewood and she was also quite mean to Candie. So, I was quite surprised by how she went on to help both Nanette and Demi towards the end of the book. I guess she wasn't completely selfish after all.
Throughout the book Demi was a good friend to Sadye and continued to try and help and encourage her.
There was quite a lot of other characters in the book who were unfortunately quite easy to forget about. But one that I liked was Nanette - there was so much more to her than just a "girl who always wins" and it was really interesting to read about her home life.
The plot twist towards the end (getting caught on roof and what followed) really surprised me! And although I didn't expect it, it made the story feel so much more real and believable!
Although, I would have loved to have known what happened next, I feel the book ended in the right way for Sadye. If she had gone onto be like Nanette straight away it would have just felt too fake for me. So, it was good to see she was accepting what had happened and was trying to move on.
Overall, I found this an easy YA contemporary read and although I may not pick it up again, I personally really enjoyed it!
The book follows Sadye over one summer as she auditions at and then goes on to attend a summer drama camp.
From the outset, I really liked Sadye and Demi's friendship - in particular how supportive and encouraging Demi was to Sadye after just their first time talking to each other.
Whilst I liked Sadye and Demi's friendship, I wasn't too sure if I actually liked Sadye herself in the beginning. She appeared to be quite jealous of the others at Wildewood and she was also quite mean to Candie. So, I was quite surprised by how she went on to help both Nanette and Demi towards the end of the book. I guess she wasn't completely selfish after all.
Throughout the book Demi was a good friend to Sadye and continued to try and help and encourage her.
There was quite a lot of other characters in the book who were unfortunately quite easy to forget about. But one that I liked was Nanette - there was so much more to her than just a "girl who always wins" and it was really interesting to read about her home life.
The plot twist towards the end (getting caught on roof and what followed) really surprised me! And although I didn't expect it, it made the story feel so much more real and believable!
Although, I would have loved to have known what happened next, I feel the book ended in the right way for Sadye. If she had gone onto be like Nanette straight away it would have just felt too fake for me. So, it was good to see she was accepting what had happened and was trying to move on.
Overall, I found this an easy YA contemporary read and although I may not pick it up again, I personally really enjoyed it!
February 16, 2017
4.5 stars - I couldn't decide whether I wanted to give it 4 or 5 stars, so I had to settle...
My full review will be up on my blog next Sunday:
alwaysandforeverreading.wordpress.com
My full review will be up on my blog next Sunday:
alwaysandforeverreading.wordpress.com
April 16, 2015
The Dilemma :That’s why in the car, I said Demi needed to find love. Looks, brains, money, talent: everything else, he already had.
By reading this book you expected:
(1) Drama
(2) Pretense
(3) Glam
(4) Theatrical(lots of it)
Sarah wants to escape the mundane life of a teenager. She wants to go bolder. Thus, she changes her name into Sadye, befriended Demi, and leaves her fake friends. I can't decide if Demi made Sarah better or worse. They want the spotlight (crave it). She is very ambitious that I think she’s jealous with Demi. She wants to suspend everyone for her. This book wasn't empowering or inspiring but it was depressing. She realized that she can be replaced (as a friend). She doesn't want to be a social outcast but that’s what happened. At the end, I don’t think anything changed. She was just the same from the start without a friend.
By reading this book you expected:
(1) Drama
(2) Pretense
(3) Glam
(4) Theatrical(lots of it)
Sarah wants to escape the mundane life of a teenager. She wants to go bolder. Thus, she changes her name into Sadye, befriended Demi, and leaves her fake friends. I can't decide if Demi made Sarah better or worse. They want the spotlight (crave it). She is very ambitious that I think she’s jealous with Demi. She wants to suspend everyone for her. This book wasn't empowering or inspiring but it was depressing. She realized that she can be replaced (as a friend). She doesn't want to be a social outcast but that’s what happened. At the end, I don’t think anything changed. She was just the same from the start without a friend.
March 28, 2021
This was a sweet read. Although it felt a little young for me, I enjoyed reading about people who have a love of theatre like I do. It made me miss my amateur dramatics society SO much (which is currently on hiatus due to the dreaded COVID-19) and I do feel a little sad after reading it 😔. It made me reflect a bit on missed opportunities, having to let go of things you don’t want to lose and friendships that come and go, all part of growing up I guess. Still, it was refreshing and had me smiling whenever a musical was mentioned. That feeling of ‘if you know, you know’ thing us theatre peeps get with inside jokes & experiences no-one else outside our bubble understands lol. It was a book I got from A Box of Stories so probably wouldn’t have bought it for myself, but I’m glad I read it. So if you love theatre, friendship and coming-of-age stories then this is definitely one for you! 🎭 🎶 💃 🎵 🎹 🎤 🎭
July 14, 2010
Cute, quick read but somewhat forgetable.
We follow Sayde through about a year of her life, with a very large focus on her summer at musical theater camp. I love that Sayde is flawed, makes mistakes and has insecurities ~ but I don't love that her conflicts are never resolved. Dramarama reaches a certain climax at camp then just... quits. Well, it doesn't literally quit. The reader stays with Sayde through her senior year and leaves her in the first few weeks of summer. At the point, we are left to assume that she will learn from her mistakes, make great life changes, discover her true calling, etc., etc. But we just don't know. Although I enjoyed reading Dramarama, I wasn't happy with the resolution ~ or, lack of one.
We follow Sayde through about a year of her life, with a very large focus on her summer at musical theater camp. I love that Sayde is flawed, makes mistakes and has insecurities ~ but I don't love that her conflicts are never resolved. Dramarama reaches a certain climax at camp then just... quits. Well, it doesn't literally quit. The reader stays with Sayde through her senior year and leaves her in the first few weeks of summer. At the point, we are left to assume that she will learn from her mistakes, make great life changes, discover her true calling, etc., etc. But we just don't know. Although I enjoyed reading Dramarama, I wasn't happy with the resolution ~ or, lack of one.
January 29, 2023
I read We Were Liars like a hundred years ago, when that book became really popular all of a sudden. Then, a few years back, I bought this ebook. I think it was on sale, too. And because I adored We Were Liars, I thought I’d try this one, too. Boy, was I wrong. I should’ve guessed from the title, but the drama is real. This book is about two teenagers who go to visit a summer school focused on theatre and musicals. Now, I don’t really like musicals. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me that this book would be about that, but it just didn’t. So, this book wasn’t for me. I found it pretty boring and I also really didn’t like the characters. Won’t be reading this again anytime soon!
August 15, 2021
I didn't have the highest hopes for this, but I just wanted more. I went in wanting a cute summer contemporary, and sadly it didn't even meet those expectations. Would recommend for a quick read, but not much more.
July 14, 2022
Not going to lie..... I got this book just for an easy read. But it was actually really good and then the ending was sad because I thought it would all work out but it didn't really..... was just like in life where you leave somewhere and actually loose contact with them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2020
ওহাইও থেকে আগত দুইজন কিশোর বয়সী ছেলেমেয়ে স্যাডি এবং ডেমির বন্ধুত্ব শুরু হয় তাদের থিয়েটার-প্রেমকে কেন্দ্র করে। দুইজনের বাহ্যিকভাবে তেমন কোনো মিল নেই, আচার-আচরণ বা স্বভাবেও তারা সম্পূর্ণ আলাদা। কিন্তু দু'জনের স্বপ্ন, আশা-আকাঙ্ক্ষা একই রকম। ব্রডওয়েতে অভিনয় করবে, তারকা হবে, হাজারো দর্শকের মধ্যমণি হয়ে ভালোবাসা কুড়াবে সবার। ওহাইওর বিরক্তিকর একঘেয়ে জীবন থেকে মুক্তি পেতেই তারা একটি সামার ড্রামা ক্যাম্পের জন্য অডিশন দেয়, দু'জনই চান্স পেয়ে যায়।
কিন্তু ড্রামা ক্যাম্পে যাবার পর স্যাডি অনেক কিছু নতুনভাবে বুঝতে শেখে। সে সবসময় খুব চঞ্চল ধরণের, সরাসরি কথাবার্তা বলতে পছন্দ করে, ড্রামা শিক্ষকদের রীতিনীতিও পছন্দ না হলে সে মুখের উপর বলতে যায়, কিন্তু সেটা স্বভাবতই কেউ মেনে নিতে পারে না। স্যাডির মনে হতে থাকে সে ছাড়া সবাই এখানে মানানসই, সবাই যোগ্য শুধু সে নয়। অন্যদিকে ডেমি পরিস্থিতির সঙ্গে মানিয়ে নিতে ওস্তাদ, যেখানে যায় সেখানেই সে আকর্ষণের কেন্দ্রবিন্দু। সবকিছুর সাথে তাল মিলিয়ে চলতে পারে৷ থিয়েটার কি শুধুই জাঁকজমক, ঔজ্জ্বল্য আর হাসি-আনন্দ? আসলে পর্দার আড়ালে থাকে আরো বহু ঘটনা।
পাঠ-প্রতিক্রিয়াঃ
হুট করেই "ড্রামারামা" পড়া শুরু করেছিলাম লেখিকার "We Were Liars" বইটা আমার খুব ভালো লেগেছিল বলে। এটা একদমই অন্য ধরণের একটা বই, প্রধান চরিত্র মিউজিশিয়ান বা এক্টর এরকম টুকটাক কিছু বই পড়া হলেও এরকম পুরোপুরি মিউজিক-থিয়েটার ভিত্তিক কোনো বই আগে পড়া হয় নি। ভালো লেগেছে জন্রাটা এবং দারুণ সফলভাবে লেখিকা সব দৃশ্যগুলো তুলে এনেছেন পাঠকদের সামনে। তার ব্যক্তিগত জীবনের অভিজ্ঞতা সম্ভবত সাহায্য করেছে এইক্ষেত্রে।
শুরুটা খুব হালকা হলেও ঠিক হালকা মেজাজের বই নয় এটা, আস্তে আস্তে গভীরতা বেড়েছে কাহিনীর। আর কিছুটা ডার্ক হয়েছে, অনেক অনুভূতি যেমন তীব্র বিদ্বেষ বা প্রতিহিংসা এবং থিয়েটারে কতো কঠিন জীবনযাত্রা চলে সেগুলো নিয়ে খুব খোলাখুলিভাবে কথা বলা হয়েছে। তাই লাইট রোমান্স ধরণের কিছু মনে করে পড়া শুরু করলে হতাশ হবেন।
বইয়ের জবানিতে রয়েছে স্যাডি, তার হাজারো খুঁত সত্বেও খুবই শক্তিশালী একটা চরিত্র, সেই তুলনায় ডেমিকে ভালো লাগে নি একদমই। কয়েকটা পার্শ্ব-চরিত্র বরং তার চেয়ে ভালো ছিল।
কিন্তু ড্রামা ক্যাম্পে যাবার পর স্যাডি অনেক কিছু নতুনভাবে বুঝতে শেখে। সে সবসময় খুব চঞ্চল ধরণের, সরাসরি কথাবার্তা বলতে পছন্দ করে, ড্রামা শিক্ষকদের রীতিনীতিও পছন্দ না হলে সে মুখের উপর বলতে যায়, কিন্তু সেটা স্বভাবতই কেউ মেনে নিতে পারে না। স্যাডির মনে হতে থাকে সে ছাড়া সবাই এখানে মানানসই, সবাই যোগ্য শুধু সে নয়। অন্যদিকে ডেমি পরিস্থিতির সঙ্গে মানিয়ে নিতে ওস্তাদ, যেখানে যায় সেখানেই সে আকর্ষণের কেন্দ্রবিন্দু। সবকিছুর সাথে তাল মিলিয়ে চলতে পারে৷ থিয়েটার কি শুধুই জাঁকজমক, ঔজ্জ্বল্য আর হাসি-আনন্দ? আসলে পর্দার আড়ালে থাকে আরো বহু ঘটনা।
পাঠ-প্রতিক্রিয়াঃ
হুট করেই "ড্রামারামা" পড়া শুরু করেছিলাম লেখিকার "We Were Liars" বইটা আমার খুব ভালো লেগেছিল বলে। এটা একদমই অন্য ধরণের একটা বই, প্রধান চরিত্র মিউজিশিয়ান বা এক্টর এরকম টুকটাক কিছু বই পড়া হলেও এরকম পুরোপুরি মিউজিক-থিয়েটার ভিত্তিক কোনো বই আগে পড়া হয় নি। ভালো লেগেছে জন্রাটা এবং দারুণ সফলভাবে লেখিকা সব দৃশ্যগুলো তুলে এনেছেন পাঠকদের সামনে। তার ব্যক্তিগত জীবনের অভিজ্ঞতা সম্ভবত সাহায্য করেছে এইক্ষেত্রে।
শুরুটা খুব হালকা হলেও ঠিক হালকা মেজাজের বই নয় এটা, আস্তে আস্তে গভীরতা বেড়েছে কাহিনীর। আর কিছুটা ডার্ক হয়েছে, অনেক অনুভূতি যেমন তীব্র বিদ্বেষ বা প্রতিহিংসা এবং থিয়েটারে কতো কঠিন জীবনযাত্রা চলে সেগুলো নিয়ে খুব খোলাখুলিভাবে কথা বলা হয়েছে। তাই লাইট রোমান্স ধরণের কিছু মনে করে পড়া শুরু করলে হতাশ হবেন।
বইয়ের জবানিতে রয়েছে স্যাডি, তার হাজারো খুঁত সত্বেও খুবই শক্তিশালী একটা চরিত্র, সেই তুলনায় ডেমিকে ভালো লাগে নি একদমই। কয়েকটা পার্শ্ব-চরিত্র বরং তার চেয়ে ভালো ছিল।
January 27, 2018
Review first appeared on my blog: http://www.pagetostagereviews.com/201...
Sarah and Douglas, better known as Sadye and Demi, are two best friends in a tiny town who love everything to do with theatre. They watch endless musicals together, singing along and re-enacting the most famous scenes, have tons of stagey in-jokes, and audition together for a special summer camp dedicated to theatre. They both get in and couldn't be happier to finally get away from the nothingness of their home town, and have a chance to show their true selves and shine.
But as they start their time at summer camp, one of them starts to flourish and the other one is only mediocre. They get different interests and different friends, and they have to face the realisation that maybe they weren't meant to be best friends after all. Maybe they only gravitated towards one another because no-one else in their tiny town understood them, not because they naturally clicked. Will their friendship survive the endless drama of camp, or will it only push them further apart?
I am a big fan of the novels by E. Lockhart, the characters within the pages are so realistic and the stories so diverse that each new book is an exciting discovery. I recently – finally – read We Were Liars, the book that propelled her to YA fame, and while the thriller was super intriguing and well-writen, my favourite novel by her hand is still the very clever and thought provoking The Disresputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. I have to say though, Dramarama is a close second as I loved almost everything about it.
What that hooked me from the very first chapter were the tons and tons of musical theatre references laced throughout the story. As someone who loves musicals I recognised almost all of them and instantly I felt that Sadye and Demi were my people. And despite the whirlwind summer they experience at camp, that feeling never left – creating an incredible closeness to the characters that had me absolutely gripped. And it wasn't just Demi and Sadye that attributed to this feeling, so did the other campers we get to know; Sadye's roommates Izzy, Candie and Nanette, and the boys hovering around the edges of Sadye and Demi's lives.
I was also incredibly fascinated by the behind-the-scenes insight this book provided on the audition process, rehearsals and the variety of skills the teenagers needed for the roles they were preparing for at camp. This wasn't a relaxing summer of swimming and games, and sitting around campfires eating s'mores, drama camp was incredibly hard work and the people there were all desperate to get the most important part. It was a charged and competitive environment, where the teachers and fellow students pushed the campers to their very limits – sometimes past breaking point.
Amid all that tension, strong friendships were forged and romance was blossoming, but there was also a lot of fighting and backstabbing. For many people getting a good part at the prestigious camp is their ultimate goal because it'll help them get on the next step to make their stagey dreams a reality and the lengths they're willing to go to creates a lot of drama (and not in the theatrical sense). While seeing the experience from Sadye's eyes, the other girls in her cabin each have their own struggles to deal with as well and as a reader you start caring about all of them.
Dramarama is a novel about theatre and friendship, perseverance and self-awareness, talent and incredibly hard work. While I didn't love its conclusion, it made perfect sense in the context and I can't imagine any other way it could've ended. Despite her rocky journey throughout the book, not in the least because of her inability to not let her frustration get the better of her, I absolutely loved Sadye. Her anger and feeling of righteousness was justified in my eyes, and despite the unfair adversaries on her path it did end up making her a stronger person. And the journey to getting there was a fascinating one, not in the least because it was one filled with jazz hands and a touch of razzle dazzle.
4.5 stars
Sarah and Douglas, better known as Sadye and Demi, are two best friends in a tiny town who love everything to do with theatre. They watch endless musicals together, singing along and re-enacting the most famous scenes, have tons of stagey in-jokes, and audition together for a special summer camp dedicated to theatre. They both get in and couldn't be happier to finally get away from the nothingness of their home town, and have a chance to show their true selves and shine.
But as they start their time at summer camp, one of them starts to flourish and the other one is only mediocre. They get different interests and different friends, and they have to face the realisation that maybe they weren't meant to be best friends after all. Maybe they only gravitated towards one another because no-one else in their tiny town understood them, not because they naturally clicked. Will their friendship survive the endless drama of camp, or will it only push them further apart?
I am a big fan of the novels by E. Lockhart, the characters within the pages are so realistic and the stories so diverse that each new book is an exciting discovery. I recently – finally – read We Were Liars, the book that propelled her to YA fame, and while the thriller was super intriguing and well-writen, my favourite novel by her hand is still the very clever and thought provoking The Disresputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. I have to say though, Dramarama is a close second as I loved almost everything about it.
What that hooked me from the very first chapter were the tons and tons of musical theatre references laced throughout the story. As someone who loves musicals I recognised almost all of them and instantly I felt that Sadye and Demi were my people. And despite the whirlwind summer they experience at camp, that feeling never left – creating an incredible closeness to the characters that had me absolutely gripped. And it wasn't just Demi and Sadye that attributed to this feeling, so did the other campers we get to know; Sadye's roommates Izzy, Candie and Nanette, and the boys hovering around the edges of Sadye and Demi's lives.
I was also incredibly fascinated by the behind-the-scenes insight this book provided on the audition process, rehearsals and the variety of skills the teenagers needed for the roles they were preparing for at camp. This wasn't a relaxing summer of swimming and games, and sitting around campfires eating s'mores, drama camp was incredibly hard work and the people there were all desperate to get the most important part. It was a charged and competitive environment, where the teachers and fellow students pushed the campers to their very limits – sometimes past breaking point.
Amid all that tension, strong friendships were forged and romance was blossoming, but there was also a lot of fighting and backstabbing. For many people getting a good part at the prestigious camp is their ultimate goal because it'll help them get on the next step to make their stagey dreams a reality and the lengths they're willing to go to creates a lot of drama (and not in the theatrical sense). While seeing the experience from Sadye's eyes, the other girls in her cabin each have their own struggles to deal with as well and as a reader you start caring about all of them.
Dramarama is a novel about theatre and friendship, perseverance and self-awareness, talent and incredibly hard work. While I didn't love its conclusion, it made perfect sense in the context and I can't imagine any other way it could've ended. Despite her rocky journey throughout the book, not in the least because of her inability to not let her frustration get the better of her, I absolutely loved Sadye. Her anger and feeling of righteousness was justified in my eyes, and despite the unfair adversaries on her path it did end up making her a stronger person. And the journey to getting there was a fascinating one, not in the least because it was one filled with jazz hands and a touch of razzle dazzle.
4.5 stars
December 31, 2011
Oh, E. Lockhart, I hate to say I was a bit disappointed in you. After reading your The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver series and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, I truly thought you could do no wrong. Let's just chalk this up to an early attempt and promise not to go back there, shall we?
And honestly, I didn't hate this book. I was still pretty solid writing, unique plot and characters, and a strong protagonist voice. It just wasn't up to the standards I'd come to expect in Lockhart's writing. I didn't love the main character, Sayde. She wasn't a very sympathetic character, in my opinion. I wanted to like her more and feel bad for her, but I just really didn't.
And I liked the general plot about the kids going to this theater camp. I personally love musical theater, and I spent many memorable hours in high school preparing for and performing in plays. I think I just wanted to like the main character more. So I'm going to go ahead and give this book away, and add Lockhart's other books to my library instead.
And honestly, I didn't hate this book. I was still pretty solid writing, unique plot and characters, and a strong protagonist voice. It just wasn't up to the standards I'd come to expect in Lockhart's writing. I didn't love the main character, Sayde. She wasn't a very sympathetic character, in my opinion. I wanted to like her more and feel bad for her, but I just really didn't.
And I liked the general plot about the kids going to this theater camp. I personally love musical theater, and I spent many memorable hours in high school preparing for and performing in plays. I think I just wanted to like the main character more. So I'm going to go ahead and give this book away, and add Lockhart's other books to my library instead.
August 26, 2018
As a person who in high school loved musicals and theatre and wanted nothing more then to be on stage and didn't because I had no talent, or at least not the talent needed to get on stage, this book seemed perfect.
I loved the whole start of this. I loved the discussion of music and theater and dance and all that jazz. It was perfect, the characters were great, I wanted it all. I was even on Sayde's side with her fighting with the directors. And then, that ending, that stupid ending "you reinvented yourself, you didn't let anyone see the real you" oh of course, let me redo everything and that will change everything. UGH! Really?! Come on. Then she loses touch with basically everyone and we're supposed to be happy because she goes to a movie with Demi and Lyle... whatever. This book would have been great if she just had Sadye go through the performances it would have been so much better. UGH again!
I loved the whole start of this. I loved the discussion of music and theater and dance and all that jazz. It was perfect, the characters were great, I wanted it all. I was even on Sayde's side with her fighting with the directors. And then, that ending, that stupid ending "you reinvented yourself, you didn't let anyone see the real you" oh of course, let me redo everything and that will change everything. UGH! Really?! Come on. Then she loses touch with basically everyone and we're supposed to be happy because she goes to a movie with Demi and Lyle... whatever. This book would have been great if she just had Sadye go through the performances it would have been so much better. UGH again!
June 8, 2024
I enjoyed this book but at the same time thought it was a bit waste of time cuz not much happened like the teachers were annoying and the ending just like ended and I was shocked not to mention how annoying Demi was to Sadye. But if you like E. Lockhart (which I do) then you would probably enjoy this book. Maybe not as much as her others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
this was so much fun!
-Overall, Dramarama was a great read. I loved all of the diversity and friendship within the novel. At first, it caught me off guard since I assumed there would be lots of drama. But there wasn't really. For the entire first half of the novel friendship was the key point which I loved.
-Demi & Sadye's little recordings were very enjoyable and a nice break from the main story. There wasn't any chapter so it was nice to have those little breaks.
-All of the theater references were great! I didn't understand almost half of them but it made me want to look up all of these plays and musicals.
-There wasn't a whole lot of character development. Some characters were just thrown in out of nowhere and we had to adjust to them and their personalities quickly. I got a lot of the characters mixed up.
-I wish we would've seen more of Demi and Sadye's life before Wildewood. We only got a few snippets of their life in their hometown.
-If you're looking for a quick, fun read with great friendships, Dramarama is perfect.
-Overall, Dramarama was a great read. I loved all of the diversity and friendship within the novel. At first, it caught me off guard since I assumed there would be lots of drama. But there wasn't really. For the entire first half of the novel friendship was the key point which I loved.
-Demi & Sadye's little recordings were very enjoyable and a nice break from the main story. There wasn't any chapter so it was nice to have those little breaks.
-All of the theater references were great! I didn't understand almost half of them but it made me want to look up all of these plays and musicals.
-There wasn't a whole lot of character development. Some characters were just thrown in out of nowhere and we had to adjust to them and their personalities quickly. I got a lot of the characters mixed up.
-I wish we would've seen more of Demi and Sadye's life before Wildewood. We only got a few snippets of their life in their hometown.
-If you're looking for a quick, fun read with great friendships, Dramarama is perfect.
January 10, 2021
This was a quick read. In fact, according to the libby app I read it on it took me less than 2 1/2 hours to read (spread out over two mornings).
It's a quick read but packs a whole lot into it. The characters (and there are many) are all we'll developed and given distinct personalities and characteristics.
The two main characters, Sadye and Demi are both larger than life and also completely average in their teenage awkwardness and coming of ageness.
I enjoyed the relationship between them and the challenges as they both grow and discover who they are during this summer at an arts school, away from the mundaneness of their hometown.
I wanted more. I want a sequel, to follow Demi and especially Sadye as she moves into the world and discovers what she's capable of.
I really enjoyed this one.
It's a quick read but packs a whole lot into it. The characters (and there are many) are all we'll developed and given distinct personalities and characteristics.
The two main characters, Sadye and Demi are both larger than life and also completely average in their teenage awkwardness and coming of ageness.
I enjoyed the relationship between them and the challenges as they both grow and discover who they are during this summer at an arts school, away from the mundaneness of their hometown.
I wanted more. I want a sequel, to follow Demi and especially Sadye as she moves into the world and discovers what she's capable of.
I really enjoyed this one.
July 25, 2017
3.5 stars!!
It was a good book - but it just wans't the greatest book I have ever met.
It had a lot of potential it just felt as if it was too short. Characters were only half explained and a whole summer plus a year were explained in less than 300 pages.
I loved all of the musical theatre references and how relatable for me as a drama student studying similar things to whats in this book.
Its an easy acquired type of writing. Don't get me wrong - E.Lockhart wrote my favourite book ever "We Were Liars" but this one was just not up to the same standard.
I would recommend this book for those who love musical theatre and a crazy drama camp!!
It was a good book - but it just wans't the greatest book I have ever met.
It had a lot of potential it just felt as if it was too short. Characters were only half explained and a whole summer plus a year were explained in less than 300 pages.
I loved all of the musical theatre references and how relatable for me as a drama student studying similar things to whats in this book.
Its an easy acquired type of writing. Don't get me wrong - E.Lockhart wrote my favourite book ever "We Were Liars" but this one was just not up to the same standard.
I would recommend this book for those who love musical theatre and a crazy drama camp!!
December 7, 2018
Story: 4/5 Girl finally finds a best friend with whom she loves to be herself. They both adore musical theatre and try to get in a special summer school program. During this program they might find out they're not as much alike as they thought they were...
Characters: 4/5 Teenagers, but they really want to make the best decisions for everyone. Annoying every now and then? Yes, but not in an annoying way.
Writing: 4/5 Want to read more E. Lockhart books!
Reread: Yes! Really enjoy a solid contemporary like this every now and then.
Characters: 4/5 Teenagers, but they really want to make the best decisions for everyone. Annoying every now and then? Yes, but not in an annoying way.
Writing: 4/5 Want to read more E. Lockhart books!
Reread: Yes! Really enjoy a solid contemporary like this every now and then.
March 31, 2017
I expected to like this book because my son is a drama kid. I didn't expect it to be so good. It really gives the reader a look at what it's like for theater kids. I enjoyed it because I could relate to it, at least from a parent's viewpoint and what my son tells me about it all. The characters were believable and I liked that Sadye tells it first person and we can see the struggles she is going through. We see her perspective on things and then how the other kids view her. Very interesting. I didn't realize this author also wrote We Are Liars, which was excellent. I will have to read more of her books.
February 20, 2020
Absolutely excellent. You can always trust E.Lockhart to create a wonderful story in a easy to read way. However the are a lot of twists near the end of the story that are very quickly mentioned, from recreating characters backgrounds to how relationships fall apart or grow stronger through time after Wildewood. I still can’t believe Sayde got kicked out but she did it for friendship and her opinionated nature backlash.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2022
Lockhart always gives her characters flaws, which is admirable because as an author it’s a big leap to take - people might not like the book. But I’m thankful to Lockhart for doing this because it takes something as basic as drama camp and gives it layers. As a theatre kid, I loved it. I much prefer this book and Frankie Landau-Banks to we were liars.
January 24, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ if your a fan of musical theatre you would love all the references that are in this book.
DramaRama is all about two best friends being accepted into a prestigious Summer drama camp - which comes with big egos, pressure, love, friendships and the constant thoughts of am I good enough.
An easy & entertaining read.
DramaRama is all about two best friends being accepted into a prestigious Summer drama camp - which comes with big egos, pressure, love, friendships and the constant thoughts of am I good enough.
An easy & entertaining read.
August 19, 2017
Not as good as E. Lockhart's other offerings unfortunately! It was okay, a good holiday read, but I wouldn't come back to it again. Also the ending was very disappointing, and not exactly happy which was weird? Not for me!
May 6, 2021
i can't stand sadye, she annoyed me so much that she ruined the book for me. i gave one of the stars for demi and theo and i gave a second star for the musical references but i really didn't see much point in the book tbh.
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