Official Review: A Bitter Resolution
Posted: 01 Feb 2013, 04:53
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Bitter Resolution" by Paul Welbourn.]
A Bitter Resolution, is a radio play written by Paul Welbourn. The play is a kitchen-sink drama, with a narrative that is as relevant as it is realistic. By the same token, however, it is difficult to appreciate the purpose of the play given the limitations on character development. Within the confines of a 15 minute radio play, the subject matter, while an interesting one, appears oversimplified. It’s not merely that the play is brief, it is rather abrupt, which is not to say that it lacks sufficient character and plot development. Rather, the story-line, while an inspired one which is as relevant as it is realistic, would be better suited to a play of more shapely proportions.
The motivations of the characters are unclear - on the surface, we understand that they are in love, that they care very deeply for one another, but that the relationship is not without its trials and tribulations. We are also made aware of how the insecurities of the characters have been exacerbated because of these trials. On the outset, we seem to know the characters, a young working couple in their mid-twenties, but we never seem to get to know them beyond this superficial, black and white, cut and dry look at a complicated back-story. At the end, it almost seems as though there is something missing that you can’t quite put your finger on. Perhaps it is that the ends are tied too neatly and too conveniently or that the play seemed over before it even began. The resolution is certainly bitter but it is not necessarily satisfying - there are questions that remain unanswered, and shall remain so interminably. I would say for a play of such narrow proportions as 15 minutes, heavy subject matter should be avoided in order that the story-line may be done justice.
This is not to say that the play or its playwright are without merit. On the contrary, Welbourn’s dialogues are rather realistic and quite engaging; the monologues which bookend the play are well-crafted and quite endearing. I regret that it was not longer, that more did not transpire between points A and B. This is perhaps a rather superfluous criticism considering it’s a 15 minute radio play, in which case, I should think the subject matter of A Bitter Resolution too lofty for the 15 minute time slot.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.
***
Buy "A Bitter Resolution" on Amazon
A Bitter Resolution, is a radio play written by Paul Welbourn. The play is a kitchen-sink drama, with a narrative that is as relevant as it is realistic. By the same token, however, it is difficult to appreciate the purpose of the play given the limitations on character development. Within the confines of a 15 minute radio play, the subject matter, while an interesting one, appears oversimplified. It’s not merely that the play is brief, it is rather abrupt, which is not to say that it lacks sufficient character and plot development. Rather, the story-line, while an inspired one which is as relevant as it is realistic, would be better suited to a play of more shapely proportions.
The motivations of the characters are unclear - on the surface, we understand that they are in love, that they care very deeply for one another, but that the relationship is not without its trials and tribulations. We are also made aware of how the insecurities of the characters have been exacerbated because of these trials. On the outset, we seem to know the characters, a young working couple in their mid-twenties, but we never seem to get to know them beyond this superficial, black and white, cut and dry look at a complicated back-story. At the end, it almost seems as though there is something missing that you can’t quite put your finger on. Perhaps it is that the ends are tied too neatly and too conveniently or that the play seemed over before it even began. The resolution is certainly bitter but it is not necessarily satisfying - there are questions that remain unanswered, and shall remain so interminably. I would say for a play of such narrow proportions as 15 minutes, heavy subject matter should be avoided in order that the story-line may be done justice.
This is not to say that the play or its playwright are without merit. On the contrary, Welbourn’s dialogues are rather realistic and quite engaging; the monologues which bookend the play are well-crafted and quite endearing. I regret that it was not longer, that more did not transpire between points A and B. This is perhaps a rather superfluous criticism considering it’s a 15 minute radio play, in which case, I should think the subject matter of A Bitter Resolution too lofty for the 15 minute time slot.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.
***
Buy "A Bitter Resolution" on Amazon