A Life

by Adam Bock

Nate Martin is hopelessly single. When his most recent breakup - another in a lifelong string of ill-fated matches - casts him into a funk, he turns to the only source of wisdom he trusts: the stars. Pouring over astrological charts, he obsessively questions his past and place in the cosmos. But in Adam Bock's disarming new play, the answer he receives, when it comes, is shockingly obvious - and totally unpredictable.

Genres: Plays

50 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2017

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bock's plays aren't for everyone, but I've always found his work fascinating, even when it shouldn't seem to 'work'. It's difficult to gauge just what this latest work might be like in production - I would think it largely would depend upon whomever was playing the central character of Nate - and since that was David Hyde Piece in its premiere, and I could both visualize and 'hear' him doing it, I'm giving it the benefit of some doubts... especially since the droll humor is delightful. If I were only 10 years younger, would love to have a go at it myself! :-(

[Jessica López-Barkl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was an interesting little play. It took some turns that I didn't expect and has some lovely insights and scenes. After reading Dominique Morriseau, I can't help but feel that this play is too elitist for some theater goers and might only have the "first-world-problems" team to like it, but...it is good; I won't deny that it is a well-done blueprint that is probably very enjoyable to watch. I was afraid to read this at first because the author's notes talked about mourning the death of one's parents as shocking, heartbreaking, and incomprehensible...which it is... I still struggle daily to fight tears that come up, in regards to my father, and the fact that he is gone...

But...I shouldn't have worried because there is a nice distance to the life that is in these pages and it doesn't stick a sharp knife into those of us who struggle with monumental death.

There are some fun scenes, as I said earlier, and I really liked the lovely silences in the play, which helps the Quaker trope introduced in the first monologue.

[Nick K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed. Maybe I just didn't get it. And you know what? I don't care to try with this one. The writing was so uninspired and jarring. The characters were hollow (and not in an interesting or relatable way). I felt like I gained nothing from reading this which is incredibly disappointing.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful play. Would love to see an actual production of this. It breathes humanly and just feels like a real moment in its present and aftermath.

[Juliet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of a play reading group. Underwhelming, a touch sad.

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Play discussion group script #46)