Playing a Part follows Grisha on his journey of self-discovery and development of self-confidence. Grisha has grown up in a Moscow puppet theatre his whole life. the story begins with the enactment of a number of changes in personnel at the theatre. As his friend Sam’s days at the theatre draw to a close, Grisha must learn what he thinks is most important and how to stand up for himself.

Wilke’s novel is most interesting for its odd jumps in storytelling. While these jumps make it a bit difficult to follow the plot, especially with frequent flashbacks interspersed with present conversations, the story eventually pulls all of its strings together and the characters begin to learn from their situations. What is most fascinating about this book is its ability to incorporate queerness and homophobia without making it the main conflict. The fits of homophobia that do crop up are bitter and brutal and paid off in the end when Grisha finally embraces his nature. Throughout the novel are numerous, detailed descriptions of puppetry that are sure to make you want to go to the theatre. Playing a Part is an excellent read for its style, if not its plot.

© 2015 Catia Cunha

Catia Cunha has a BA in Theater Arts and English from Mount Holyoke College. She won Young Playwrights Inc.’s 2013 National Playwriting Competition where her short play “Legs” was presented as a staged reading at the Lucille Lortel Theatre at the culmination of the Conference. In the spring of 2013 she produced and acted in her first full-length play, ____space, which was presented at Mount Holyoke. Catia’s senior project, Disinsemination, a play about feminist lesbians and aliens, was presented as a staged reading at Smith College and Mount Holyoke in Fall 2013. Mount Holyoke’s Rooke Theatre produced it in March 2014. In October 2014 Catia participated in the Grex Group’s Insomniacs 24-hour play festival. She is currently working on a play about sea monsters in the subway.