The Way We Live Now
The Way We Live Now
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Brief
304
Play • Fiction
New York City • 1980s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Way We Live Now, chronicled in In The Way We Live Now: American Plays & the AIDS Crisis edited by M. Elizabeth Osborn, is a theatrical adaptation by Edward Parone of Susan Sontag's short story. Set in the early days of the AIDS crisis, it depicts an unnamed man dying in a hospital bed while those around him discuss the devastating impact of the disease on individuals and society.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Elizabeth Osborn's The Way We Live Now impresses with its sharp social commentary and vivid characterizations, resonating well with many readers. Some find it a compelling modern reflection, while others feel the narrative's pacing can drag. Overall, it's praised for depth but criticized for occasional sluggishness, making it a thought-provoking yet mixed experience.
Who Should Read The Way We Live Now?
The reader who would enjoy The Way We Live Now by Elizabeth Osborn is likely interested in social dynamics, contemporary relationships, and the intricate layers of human behavior. Similar in tone and depth to Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections and Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, this novel resonates with those who appreciate richly detailed character studies and critique of modern society.
304
Play • Fiction
New York City • 1980s
2022
Adult
18+ years
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