If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet

by Nick Payne

Fifteen-year-old Anna is bullied by her classmates for being overweight. Her mother, Fiona, decides to transfer her to the school where she teaches, but that only makes things worse. Anna’s father, George, is no help—he’s too obsessed with saving the world. Just as Anna gets suspended for head-butting one of her tormenters, her uncle Terry arrives for an unannounced visit. A heartbroken, filthy-mouthed slacker, Terry reaches out to Anna in a way that no one ever has. Their unexpected friendship sends her parents’ rocky marriage into a tailspin as the whole family wonders what—or who—really needs saving.
     Nick Payne’s If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet is a brilliantly sad, humorous, and empathetic look at a family stuck somewhere between knowing what the problem is and doing something about it.

Genres: Plays

80 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

"...if people could only get to grips with what it is that needs to be done, they would be willing to change. Empathy, I thought, logic, would win out."

George's last little monologue was probably my favorite part of this play, sadly, it came at the end. Just as you find yourself hoping for a little more philosophical...umph? It's over.

I didn't mind this play at all, and found bits of it perfectly entertaining. I do believe the description of the play was way more interesting than what was actually written. Nick Payne is a fine playwright, but so much of this particular example is probably best seen performed, and not read. Much of what I was expecting didn't really come through in the written text. The relationships were on the brink of being something, but they fell short of being anything other than sort of basic. Again, I expect seeing it performed would allow for all the character nuances to really shine and to see more the conflicts, struggles, and awkwardness that seems to follow this family around.

[Juan Camilo Velandia Quijano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong and powerful story. Well defined characters, honest and tender. Payne tends to pair situations with great wit, and it's impressive to see the development of the story with the inner issues of each character. A story about bullying with a happy ending and a hard look at reality. Great reading.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like the character of Terry. There’s so much going on overall, it’s hard to connect with the other characters completely, even though it’s all laid out. Anna is interesting, but doesn’t get enough to say or do. Mom & Dad are okay, but similar. The three of them feel a bit cliche and not as interesting as Terry.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times a bit too close to Kenneth Lonergan's You Can Count On Me.