What do you think?
Rate this book
36 Views: A Play
In this acclaimed play, Naomi Iizuka has created a carefully textured exploration of the meaning of truth-not just in the art world, but in personal relationships as well. At its heart is an art dealer and an art historian who discover what they think is an ancient manuscript-a priceless Japanese pillow book. As they try to learn whether it's authentic, their search becomes an erotic game of greed, love, and mental hide-and-seek.
105 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 7, 2025
I feel like this is probably more profound than I’m truly capable of understanding because of my limited knowledge of the allusions. Overall I think it’s well done but gets a little heady at points and lacks a ton of dramatic tension. (Then again I knew the ending going into it). Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.
December 2, 2024
The best play we have read yet. It was fine. Good underlying themes of authenticity.
September 23, 2021
my world history teacher would be happy i read this
May 7, 2013
A disclaimer: I read this book for class, and some people absolutely LOVED it. I, however, did not.
The play is about art, perception, and beauty: how do we assign value to something? Its age, its provenance, its subjective worth?
The play is 36 views of the same thing (like the 36(ish) paintings of the same mountain). 36 views of people, their interactions, their conversations. It's not repeats of the exact same scene, but the form of the play--even just the title and explanation of it--make the audience aware of the perspective from which we are positioned to see the characters and play.
The play would be difficult to stage, since the production values would have to be high. The mix of cultures--traditional forms/art and modern times/values--are interesting.
I think the play would be better off as a novel; the characters are dense, overly-intellectual, and perhaps they would be more engaging with the benefit of narrative. It could be successful given a gifted and imaginative design team. Or as a novel. On the page, it's hard to imagine it not being pedantic and dry.
The play is about art, perception, and beauty: how do we assign value to something? Its age, its provenance, its subjective worth?
The play is 36 views of the same thing (like the 36(ish) paintings of the same mountain). 36 views of people, their interactions, their conversations. It's not repeats of the exact same scene, but the form of the play--even just the title and explanation of it--make the audience aware of the perspective from which we are positioned to see the characters and play.
The play would be difficult to stage, since the production values would have to be high. The mix of cultures--traditional forms/art and modern times/values--are interesting.
I think the play would be better off as a novel; the characters are dense, overly-intellectual, and perhaps they would be more engaging with the benefit of narrative. It could be successful given a gifted and imaginative design team. Or as a novel. On the page, it's hard to imagine it not being pedantic and dry.
February 9, 2012
While the playwright is very knowledgeable about the material (Historical Asian art and literature) I didn't find the play particularly dramatically engaging. The more "experimental" aspects of the play help connect the piece with Japanese No Theater and Pillow Book poetry but I wish they she did more with it, connecting the story more with the style.
February 1, 2011
This is a beautiful piece; Iizuka has certainly introduced a gem to the world of contemporary theatre. I would love to see it staged.
April 14, 2024
Twisty and compelling.
October 31, 2018
Elegant and engaging and highly theatrical and wrapped around a plot that really drew me in. It’s easy to imagine how this would light up on a stage.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews