We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(3) Base Camp
The language and style of Mourning Becomes Electra make for some pretty smooth sailing overall. But there are times when reading it can feel like playing tag with a semi-truck with no brakes loaded down with rocks barreling down a steep hill. No joke. That's how fast the action goes down for most of the play.
O'Neill is also all about showing us what lies hidden just beneath the surface, so it's important to pay attention to everything that gets said or goes down, and how it all happens. On top of that, some really important thematic stuff gets said when characters are slightly or completely out of their minds, which can make picking it up on a first read kind of a challenge. Still, this play is like both volumes of Kill Bill meet Mean Girls. You're in for one wild ride, and one that's definitely worth a little work.