Is God Is / What to Send Up When It Goes Down
Aleshea Harris
BOOK REVIEW

In a world where art is a vessel for catharsis and confrontation, Is God Is / What to Send Up When It Goes Down emerges as a torchbearer for truth and self-examination. Aleshea Harris masterfully intertwines themes of vengeance, identity, and the quest for justice in a script that feels both hauntingly contemporary and deeply rooted in the stories of those who've been marginalized, overlooked, and silenced. This play doesn't just beckon you to observe; it orders you to engage, to feel every pulse of its characters' pain and resilience.
Picture a dual narrative where two sisters, tasked with confronting the legacy of their mother's murder, embark on a mission that transcends time and space. Harris navigates their journey through a blend of gripping dialogue and surreal imagery that pulls you into a striking world that is as much fiction as it is reflection. The sisters are angry - unspeakably so - and their fury is a call to arms against societal injustices that have persisted over generations. You will feel it as if it's your own blood boiling with righteous indignation! 🔥
Harris doesn't shy away from the raw realities that echo through communities affected by violence and systemic oppression. Her pen serves as a sword, slicing through the comfortable illusions that perpetuate ignorance. With sharp wit and lyrical intensity, she invites us to confront the grotesque realities of our world. Readers and audiences alike are left questioning: What must one do to reclaim lost agency and sever chains that bind them? 🌍
But how does one encapsulate the emotional rollercoaster that each act delivers? The dialogue crackles with energy, oscillating between the profound and the absurd. Harris crafts moments that make you laugh, only to twist and turn sharply, ending in heartbreak. It's an emotional pendulum that will leave you gasping for breath and demanding more. Those who experience this work are not merely spectators; they become part of the narrative, living through each heart-wrenching revelation.
Critics are divided, some lauding Harris for her audacious storytelling and others dismissing her as a voice that demands too much from its audience. Yet, it's undeniable that she dares readers to bask in their discomfort. "Can you handle it?" she seems to ask, knowing full well the power of vulnerability in her writing. Those brave enough to delve into this narrative often find themselves leaving a trail of reflection and discourse, igniting conversations that feel crucial in dismantling the very systems that oppress. 🗣
What a revelation it is to see such fierce representation on stage in a time rife with political and social upheaval! Harris writes with the urgency of a manifesto while crafting a play that's poetically rich and stylistically evocative. This is not just a play meant for passive viewers; it's an experience that demands your presence and attention. You must not only witness the pain depicted but also recognize your own role in the societal fabric being unraveled before your eyes.
Moreover, the play wrestles with spiritual themes, questioning the very nature of divinity and the human experience. Is God present amidst suffering? This existential query will ripple through your mind long after the final curtain falls. It's a poignant question that Harris raises-one that mirrors the crises of faith many individuals face today-a reflection of the ongoing struggle between hope and despair. 🙏
Within a mere 161 pages, Harris paints an expansive universe filled with richly textured characters grappling with their destinies. Her ability to blend the extraordinary with the harrowing depth of human experiences positions her as a formidable voice in contemporary theater. She has opened the gates to dialogues previously stifled and invites you to partake in the exploration of identity, race, and the complexities of familial bonds.
Fans and critics alike seem to agree on one thing: Is God Is / What to Send Up When It Goes Down is not just a story; it is a movement. It serves as a resonating reminder that storytelling holds the power to spur action, to evoke empathy, and to instigate change. As you turn the final pages, you are left not just with questions, but a resolve to seek answers, and perhaps even a fire in your heart to pursue justice. Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? 🌟
📖 Is God Is / What to Send Up When It Goes Down
✍ by Aleshea Harris
🧾 161 pages
2022
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