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43 pages 1 hour read

The Thanksgiving Play

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Larissa Fasthorse

The Thanksgiving Play

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

64

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Classroom • Contemporary

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse is a satirical comedy set in a high school classroom where drama teacher Logan, attempting to create a politically correct Thanksgiving play, involves her boyfriend Jaxton, elementary history teacher Caden, and actress Alicia, who all turn out to be white, leading to farcical efforts to craft a narrative that respects Indigenous perspectives without any Indigenous input. The play contains extensive discussions of anti-Indigenous racism and the genocide of Indigenous Americans and features an episode of anti-Indigenous mock violence and suicide.

Humorous

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.3

806 ratings

70%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Larissa Fasthorse's The Thanksgiving Play is lauded for its sharp wit and incisive critique of performative allyship in theater. Critics appreciate its clever script and the nuanced way it tackles sensitive themes. However, some feel the humor sometimes undercuts the gravity of the issues. Overall, it's praised for its boldness and originality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Thanksgiving Play?

Readers who appreciate satirical comedy with a critical edge will enjoy The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse. Fans of works like David Mamet's Race and Tracy Letts' August: Osage County will find Fasthorse's sharp wit and exploration of cultural sensitivities engaging and thought-provoking.

4.3

806 ratings

70%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Logan

A white woman who is the director of a play and serves as its protagonist, known for pushing boundaries and having started her career with aspirations of acting before becoming a high school drama teacher.

A white, heterosexual, cisgender man involved in yoga and street performing, who sees himself as an actor and is known for his politically correct attitude and self-perceived social awareness.

An elementary school history teacher with ambitions in theater, who values historical accuracy and has been invited to a project as a history consultant while aspiring to be a playwright.

A white actor from Los Angeles cast as an Indigenous American due to her appearance; she values the truth perceived by the audience and is noted for her contentedness and focus on the shallow aspects of acting.

Book Details
Pages

64

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Classroom • Contemporary

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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