Paradise

by Laura Maria Censabella, Jeff Marlow (Narrator), Medalion Rahimi (Narrator)

Yasmeen Al-Hamadi is a Muslim, Yemeni-American senior at a struggling inner-city Bronx high school. Dr. Guy Royston is her disaffected science teacher, a former Evangelical with a mysterious past. An unlikely research team, together they embark on a neurological study, leading to stormy conflicts over love, faith and culture. L.A. Theatre Works edition.

Genres: Audiobook, Young Adult, Plays, Fiction, Religion, Contemporary, Drama

99 pages, Audiobook

First published January 18, 2022

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate the general concept of the play, the broad stereotypes of both Yasmeen and Dr. Royston are incredibly cringeworthy. I hope that the film adaptation does a much better job of portraying the Muslim experience of a first generation immigrant community rather than reducing people down to flat caricatures.

Dr. Royston comes off as a narrow minded atheist who has pre conceived notions of Islam due to his conservative Christian upbringing, a tired trope. Islamophobia and religious micro aggressions are perpetuated by a wide range of identities and it would have been far more interesting to see a character, that is more than another trope on the page, learn and grow from engaging with a Muslim, hijabi, first-generation immigrant.

I also really dislike how Dr. Royston accepts the incredibly problematic norms of the academic and scientific communities to advance his own self interest. He only adjusts the norms for an incredible contribution to the experiment by Yasmeen without any consideration about why these are harmful to other young scientists who are toiling behind the scenes without any recognition for years of their academic and scientific careers.

This play could be so much stronger in the hands of a writer who has a similar lived experience to Yasmeen rather than from an Americanized, pseudo liberal, viewpoint.

One star for the concept and one star for the voice actors who did a great job with the less than stellar content.

[Michelle Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

That’s just a no for me. So many problems. I will give the performance of the actors a good rating, but the story itself no.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't really keen on this one. I've had the LA Theatre Works production of Paradise on my tbr for a little while, but I'm definitely disappointed.

Some of it was decent and worked for me. The performances in the audio recording were really well done. Yasmeen is a sympathetic protagonist. Dr. Royston may not be a good man, but he is interesting as a character, particularly in the portrayal of atheists as still being culturally Christian. The science itself was quite interesting.

The cons just outweighed the pros for me. It didn't really feel like it was written with as much care and thought about Islam and about Yemeni culture. It felt like a story that really should be told by a Yemeni person or a Muslim person or a Muslim and Yemeni person. I also really hated a number of the interactions between Yasmeen and Dr. Royston that felt romantic. Given that she is his seventeen years old and his student, I found it a very gross implication, and it didn't serve the story at all. I also didn't really enjoy the pacing. I understood the ending, but I wasn't satisfied by it. I wish Yasmeen had gotten to speak to the Hijabi scientist as part of the actual story or sooner, that felt like more of what the actual story should be.

This has redeeming qualities, but not enough. I wouldn't particularly recommend it.

[Brooke (i blog 4 books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummm. I’m conflicted. There was more depth and complexity than expected given the short length. I did think the female character was interesting and had a unique (to me) worldview. The differences between the two characters were significant enough to give some natural tension. But ultimately there were two things that pulled me out of the story repeatedly. First was the semi-romantic undertones between the two. She is 17, and he is her much older teacher. Hard pass. Second was the references to his sordid past in research. It was a confusing part. I’d hoped for a different cultural experience, but now realize that the author herself is not Muslim so I’m not certain how accurate this portrayal is.

[Mary Havens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.....it was o.k.
I just really disliked the "professor". I guess Censabella was portraying real struggles for new scientists but I felt that the professor was just so ignorant and stubborn in accepting Yasmin's culture. Why criticize it over and over again? It just seemed like the antithesis of what a teacher would try to do. I get that he had some bad things happen in his past, largely by his own doing, but why be miserable your entire life and then take it out on the one bright spot?
I really look forward to L.A. Theatre Works contribution to the Sync Audiobooks program and, if nothing else, this was 90 minutes long. I didn't understand why they made the choice of having constant background talking throughout the entire play. The high school bells, chatter in the hallway, and music were great touches but my recording had constant talking. It almost sounded like this was recorded next to another audio book recording in the studio or something similar. It definitely was not live with an audience like other plays I've heard. It was odd, to say the least.

[michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was quite the interesting experience. It's not a book but a play. I listened to the "audiobook" read by two actors, complete with background noise and school bells. The concepts talked about were important but touched on so briefly that there really wasn't much substance. I also found myself very frustrated with how emotional both voice actors were at times as the situations were ones that escalated in, what I felt, were unrealistic ways. I also felt that some of the conversations the student and teacher were, frankly, inappropriate for the student teacher relationship. I don't think this is the best story to listen to as an audiobook but might be better watching on the stage, what it was originally intended for.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Paradise" by Laura Maria Censabella is a compelling two-character play that delves into the complex relationship between Yasmeen Al-Hamadi, a bright, Muslim, Yemeni-American high school student, and Dr. Guy Royston, her disillusioned science teacher. Set in a struggling Bronx high school, the play explores themes of faith, love, cultural identity, and personal redemption through the lens of a unique student-teacher dynamic.

Yasmeen is portrayed as an intelligent and ambitious young woman who is deeply rooted in her Muslim faith and Yemeni heritage. She is determined to succeed academically despite the challenges she faces, and views her involvement in Dr. Royston's neurological study as a stepping stone to a better future. Her strengths lie in her unwavering determination, sharp intellect, and strong moral compass. However, Yasmeen also grapples with the conflict between her traditional upbringing and her desire for personal freedom, making her vulnerable to the influence of Dr. Royston.

Dr. Guy Royston is a complex character haunted by a mysterious past. A former Evangelical, he has lost his faith and become jaded, using science as a refuge from his personal demons. Royston is intelligent and knowledgeable, but also emotionally stunted and socially awkward. His flaws include a tendency towards arrogance, a lack of empathy, and a self-destructive streak. Despite his shortcomings, Royston recognizes Yasmeen's potential and sees her as a means of intellectual stimulation and personal redemption.

The relationship between Yasmeen and Dr. Royston is the driving force of the play. Initially, their connection is purely academic, with Yasmeen seeking guidance from Royston in her scientific pursuits. However, as they spend more time together, their relationship deepens, blurring the lines between teacher and student. Royston becomes infatuated with Yasmeen's intelligence and passion, while Yasmeen is drawn to Royston's intellectual curiosity and his willingness to challenge her beliefs.

One of the central themes of "Paradise" is the clash between faith and reason. Yasmeen's unwavering belief in Islam is challenged by Royston's scientific worldview, leading to heated debates about the nature of truth and the existence of God. The play explores the idea that faith and reason are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but can coexist and even complement each other. Another prominent theme is the exploration of cultural identity. Yasmeen struggles to reconcile her Yemeni heritage with her American upbringing, navigating the expectations of her family and community while trying to forge her own path. The play sheds light on the challenges faced by young Muslim women in America, who often feel caught between two worlds. The play also delves into the theme of personal redemption. Both Yasmeen and Royston are flawed characters seeking to overcome their past mistakes and find meaning in their lives. Through their relationship, they offer each other a chance at redemption, learning valuable lessons about forgiveness, compassion, and the power of human connection.

The tone of "Paradise" is a blend of intellectual stimulation, emotional intensity, and dramatic tension. The play is filled with thought-provoking dialogue that explores complex philosophical and scientific concepts. At the same time, it delves into the emotional lives of its characters, exposing their vulnerabilities and desires. The plot twists in "Paradise" are subtle but impactful. The revelation of Dr. Royston's past adds depth to his character and sheds light on his motivations. The play's ending is ambiguous, leaving the audience to ponder the future of Yasmeen and Royston's relationship.

In closing, "Paradise" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant play that explores important themes of faith, love, cultural identity, and personal redemption. If you enjoyed "Paradise," you might also appreciate Ayad Akhtar's "Disgraced," which tackles similar themes of identity and religion in contemporary America, or "Proof" by David Auburn, which also features a complex student-teacher relationship centered around scientific discovery.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm shocked this doesn't have higher reviews.

Many commentators are saying that the professor is racist, and doesn't respect or understand his students culture. I believe made so many people dislike this play turned audiobook.

But... that's the whole point. And that's what makes this play genius.

This jaded professor, who bonds with his student even though he doesn't understand her culture or believe her religion, tries to persuade her one way of thinking. And she tries to show him otherwise, and ends up changing him for the better. Spoilers ahead.

It all culminates in her needing him to let her go. To be free of his influence. Which is incredibly poetic because throughout the play hes been trying to persuade her to buck her traditions and not live under the influence of her family/betrothed.

It goes deeper than that though once you add in the professors sordid past. But I won't get into that. It just adds to the moral question of the play: do you persue your dream despite those around you? Or do you work within limitations and hope for the best? Who comes first when pursuing a dream, yourself or your loved ones?

*Big disclaimer with this review. This play was written by a non-Muslim woman. And I am not Muslim either. So, although I think highly of this play, I'm very aware my perception of it could be insensitive. I do think it's weird that a non-Muslim woman wrote a play that centered so heavily on Islam.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm typically not a fan of listening to plays or the LA Theater Works presentations: I find them too dramatic without the necessary visual. Full cast performances rarely work for me. This one, though, only has two characters and didn't seem so reliant on the physical interpretation of the script, so it worked for me.

I liked the complexity of this play, and I'd like to see it when it comes out as a movie (I think this is in the works?). There is an interesting interplay among faith, culture, and science here, and both characters have a lot to learn from the other. At first, I thought it was going to be relatively simplistic, but, given how short it is, it has a surprising amount of thoughtful consideration of issues.

[SplatterGunk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play didn’t really do it for me. The three star rating is more because I feel the actors played their parts well. I also would like to believe that there was some honestly on the author’s part to try and do good by writing this play. I think Censabella meant well by trying to portray various sides of stereotypes and how people over come their judgements and how things are not always what they seem, but there are just a lot of things in this play that feel too flat out stereotypical and not nuanced enough.

Once again, I was very close to giving this two stars, but it was the actors that saved it for me.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously a audiobook like this is not for me. So many sounds! It is based on a play so they brought out all the stops, sounds and voices. And being used to just one voice most of the time and no special effects, well it was a bit much.

As a play it works well, I could see the play before me. Listening is different since it is so obvi a play in how it was built. And the end just came and I was all...more?

But it was short and I wanted a short one.

The book is mostly two people talking, the end.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really short. It was really good though. I was a little nervous about the teacher being creepy with this young lady, but that never came to be. Thank goodness. It was interesting to see this fight within this young woman. Between how much does she hold to the family and cultural values while living in the western world? That doesn't harbor those same cultural values. And that is a tough thing. It ended a little abrupt which was rough on me. But I guess you look at it and it does wrap up but a little too abruptly in my opinion

[Toni FGMAMTC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idk how I feel about this one. I appreciate that they were trying to talk out their differences and discuss science but it seemed weird like not student teacher conversations sometimes. Maybe the teacher wasn't appropriate in how he handled things to do with the student's life. And he especially seemed weird about when it got time to submit their work or whatever. I didn't hate this story but it wasn't really for me.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reviewing the LA Theatreworks performed recording. Overall the themes here--gender, multiculturalism in America, science and religion, intergenerational relationships, trauma--are interesting and worth exploring, and the play itself has a lot of room to emphasize/develop different readings.

Book pairings: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (fiction), Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt (memoir/essay)

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paradise is the story of Yasmeen (Muslim high school immigrant) and Dr. Royston (American atheist professor). There's a lot of push-pull as they develop a working relationship over school projects. I physically cringed repeatedly at the wildly inappropriate topics the teacher was willing to discuss with Yasmeen. Sometimes he even brought them up. Then the project that they embark on together is handled with very little professionalism. Overall the book contained more drama than plot.

[Beckiezra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla Bonus Borrow I liked this by the end more than I expected when I was frustrated that these two people were continuing to interact with each other when neither seemed to enjoy the other’s company. He was a jerk, she was rabid, just not enjoyable people to imagine interacting with, but it was an interesting story that leaned toward coming to understand people who believe differently than you while also showing darker sides of those people and beliefs.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audio play seemed like a constant argument between a high school girl and her high school science teacher. The value of this story is the portrayal of the Islam religion as it is practiced by many students in the United States and the misconceptions that the white adults teaching them hold. I also enjoyed the interview of the author at the end.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. I enjoy the LATW productions. I liked the discussions between the characters and the way they each helped the other grow. I liked the conversations about science and religion, faith and reason. I felt a little let down by the ending - I actually didn't realize it was over. I'm not sure how else I would have wanted it to end, but it felt a little ... incomplete I guess.

[Maya]

Bonus Borrow from the library. DNF even though it was a short read.

I liked the premise, but found the acting jarring and over the top. I don't love audiobooks but listen to them as a gap for when I have exhausted my library stack. I might have been okay with reading this as a book (hard to say), but as an aural piece, it was a no-go for me.

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the complexity of this play. The two characters showed often extreme differences in faith, religion, and culture, age and life goals, and understanding of love. I found it interesting how the authors mixed these together in a story revolving around scientific research, in a high school. I found the ending unexpected and bittersweet.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is drawn with broad strokes, but, at least for me a woman scientist who is the child of immigrants, though not Yemini or Muslim, it captures some of the ideas, and more importantly the feelings, about the tension between "eastern" and "western"; culture and science; community and individualism.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand this was presented by a theater.... but boy was it dramatic. Yesmeen was heated the entire time, not a single moment was she calm. The music between scenes also did not seem to match the show, at one point I thought my phone was ringing until it faded to the next scene. I did enjoy the premise, just wish it hadn't been so dramatic.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok… I hated the professor. He came off as creepy and racist. It pissed me off how many times he criticized Yasmin’s culture and religion. I’m glad this was a very short story, because I otherwise would not have finished it. The constant background noise of the school was also really annoying. I get that this was a “play”, but still.

Note: this was a bonus borrow from Hoopla.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young Muslim student wants to earn a scholarship to Columbia University after falling in love with science. Examines science, loyalty, love, culture and religion. Part of the Relativity series of science-based plays.

[Myra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened via SYNC audio for teens.

Of the ones of these I've listened to, this is one of the better ones. Yes, both characters are very stereotypical, but you see growth from both of them during the play. And yes, they are both a bit over the top. But I found it interesting and a fun listen.

[Kayla Barton Hadden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book but a play and a terrible weird relationship between a teacher and his research student. Bad characters and poorly written. Good plot concept underneath it all but not well executed and that’s the only reason it’s a two star vs one

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Maggie Woodcome · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and interesting. Held my attention. Ending was a little flat.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times a bit over dramatic, but a really good performance.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid play