Feuilles: LEAVES

by Lucy Caldwell

La jeune Lori est de retour parmi les siens, Belfast, aprs un premier trimestre dans une facult londonienne o elle a tent de mettre fin ses jours. Ses parents et ses deux surs ne savent ni ne comprennent ce qui s'est pass au juste. Dans ce drame nou l'ombre du conflit irlandais, le pre et la mre, dmunis, essaient de dmler l'cheveau de cet chec. Les trois surs s'efforcent quant elles de dfinir ce qu'elles sont devenues les unes pour les autres au sortir de l'enfance. Lucy Caldwell aborde avec dlicatesse la question du suicide des adolescents et nous offre des personnages particulirement attachants. Elle ausculte les relations familiales avec subtilit travers une criture faussement ordinaire, prcise et rythme, souvent teinte d'humour.

Genres: Plays, Drama

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Iris]

This is haunting, beautiful and moving. It is a play which really resonates with me; an incredibly realistic portrayal of the complexities of family life and struggles faced.

[maxine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dialogue was realistic but there was literally no conflict

[Amy Darton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lori goes away to university but returns 3 months later after a suicide attempt.
We spend time with her two little sisters and parents as they await her return.

Beautiful discussions and questions about how to cope with a person with broken spirit. How can you nurse someone to health who isn’t willing to be healed.
How do you understand as a younger person who still has so much thrill for life.

Gorgeous questions that don’t need to be answered or understood but perfectly sympathised with. Really moving.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this, it nearly made my cry on the train but other than that it was good! not sure about the semi ambiguous ending but I guess the actor playing lori would really change what you take away from the end of act 2 and your impression of what might happen. no monolouges for me to do thought :(

[Lucy like book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entering my play-reading-era as uni readings ramp up. This one is slightly boring yet authentic and thoughtful. My fav part -
Dad: shall we light a fire in here then, eh?
Poppy: you can’t light fires, Dad. The ozone layer.

[Patrícia Gonçalves]

(read for school)

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Felt so personal and wow, yes I have no words!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am actually literally crying right now. an unassuming capture of the feral, bitter anger one only experiences towards those they need to love and be loved by most.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

McClay Library - QUB

[Angelique · Rating 2 out of 5]

What exactly happens in this play, really? Where is the character development? I gave it two stars instead of one, because I felt like there was some truth in the way the family dealt with each other, but really couldn't care about any of them. I felt more time should have been spent in the why Lori tried to kill herself. But perhaps that's the point. Couldn't envision it being staged or being interesting. It is, however, well written.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://wp.me/sGVzJ-leaves

An interesting and engaging play with some flaws and rough patches - it's just a tick above average but not quite great. I think it'd be quite something if staged well and I'd like to direct it someday... but for now, the reading made is simply a little-better-than-normal.

[William Cartier · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those plays that is better on the stage then the page.

[Kaylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggered.

[Charlotte]

stunning characterisation, haunting family story. loved this a lot.