Mineola Twins Response

With the exception of a select few, I have found most of the books I have read at Sacred Heart to be dull, and if I’m being honest, a painful experience. Although I greatly appreciated some such as the Great Gatsby, most others I read with no interest or curiosity. One reason I chose to take Contemporary literature this year is because I was feed up with reading books written centuries ago that I have a hard time relating to. Instead, I was looking to read something more appealing to my taste. Just as I had hoped, the Mineola Twins, by Paula Vogel, kept me interested through the discussion of what usually are “untouched” topics in school. Not only did I enjoy reading these plays, but the classroom discussions were just as interesting. Filled with controversial topics such as sexual abuse, the plays provided context for compelling, and sometimes absolutely hilarious discussions. While many of the subjects discussed in the Mineola Twins may come across as too much for some readers, Paula Vogel’s handling of these sensitive subjects is done carefully. Vogel’s use of humor tends to lighten the mood in many harsh scenes, making the controversial topics come across as less of a burden on the reader. This ironic relief makes sensitive subjects more approachable to the reader and eases the mood when things become too dramatic. Paula Vogel is one of the most unique writers I have read, and I thoroughly enjoy reading her works. A pleasant change from the typical school novel, Paula Vogel’s plays discuss topics relevant in the contemporary world, making the reading of these plays much more appealing.