This portrait of a man who got a lobotomy when he was 12 years old is disturbing and fascinating. Usually lobotomies are referred to in historical terms, "This is what happened, this is why they stopped performing them" and the story stops there. However, this piece looks at the lasting effects of this horrible practice to see what now, what has happened to the survivors? I love the contemporary view that this piece takes, as the man in the story reconstructs what happened to him and why. It's a terribly moving piece, culminating in a gorgeous song that encapsulates the mood expertly.
I enjoyed this piece because it had the two necessary parts of a good story, according to Ira Glass: 1. Story moves along in an interesting way, 2. Self reflection. The overlap between the two speakers is interesting to listen to; however, I would have liked to hear more structure to their story.
I liked the discussion of silence, especially because it was presented through a medium that relies entirely on sound. People who are drawn to radio are typically audio-focused. I like how I can listen to something that transports me outside of myself, experiencing and, in part, creating it within my mind. Visual entertainment does not feel that personal. It's this highly personal, auditory medium that mirrors the absence of sound, paradoxically. As I am able to lose myself within radio, silencing my thoughts and voice, he loses that part of himself in silence. It's a piece that makes you think about the nature of speech and noise, and is refreshing to hear.
This is a great example of why the Invisible Ink series is so wonderful. The whole episode is dedicated to one woman's stories and reflections on the time she was a child beauty queen. It is fascinating to listen to these stories as they unfold, as you are never sure what will come next. The author's writing is simple. Not simple in the sense of being uncomplicated and basic; instead, the writing is easy to listen to and take in, while still being thoughtful, intelligent, and moving - a hard feat. Her writing and tone of voice are comforting, even when the subject matter turns to more disturbing topics. Her frankness in these topics is startling, but at the same time completely natural and reasonable. It started me wishing more (ideally all) media were more like this piece.
Anthony Mascorro's pieces remind me of everything I love about radio. The tone set by the music, the cuts between different stories, the intimacy of the narrative - it's all great. This piece especially reminds me of Joe Frank, with the phone conversations and snatches of philosophical musings interspersed between. The stories in this piece allow you within each person's world for just a few minutes, and it's that sense of reality and honesty that sets this apart from other pieces.
This piece demonstrates how one topic can swoop and stutter in many different ways, yet still make perfect sense within the general concept of the show. The elegance and simplicity of the last segment is surprising, and only after I had heard the whole thing did I realize how much I loved it, and that I would not forget it. All of the TOE productions are great, but this one is especially fascinating.
A beautiful mix of phrases, words, and sentences tied together with music that rips into you, but rips into you in a good way. I love words, and this piece captures my heart and imagination with its ability to construct phrases and metaphors that are original, sad, quirky, vivid, funny, etc. My favorite: "Over time, his spine twisted and knotted, like a flower confused as to the direction of the sun."
Comments by Mary P
Comment for "My Lobotomy"
Mary P
Posted on November 11, 2006 at 10:11 PM | Permalink
Review of My Lobotomy
This portrait of a man who got a lobotomy when he was 12 years old is disturbing and fascinating. Usually lobotomies are referred to in historical terms, "This is what happened, this is why they stopped performing them" and the story stops there. However, this piece looks at the lasting effects of this horrible practice to see what now, what has happened to the survivors? I love the contemporary view that this piece takes, as the man in the story reconstructs what happened to him and why. It's a terribly moving piece, culminating in a gorgeous song that encapsulates the mood expertly.
Comment for "Silence"
Mary P
Posted on November 10, 2006 at 06:36 PM | Permalink
Review of Silence
I enjoyed this piece because it had the two necessary parts of a good story, according to Ira Glass: 1. Story moves along in an interesting way, 2. Self reflection. The overlap between the two speakers is interesting to listen to; however, I would have liked to hear more structure to their story.
I liked the discussion of silence, especially because it was presented through a medium that relies entirely on sound. People who are drawn to radio are typically audio-focused. I like how I can listen to something that transports me outside of myself, experiencing and, in part, creating it within my mind. Visual entertainment does not feel that personal. It's this highly personal, auditory medium that mirrors the absence of sound, paradoxically. As I am able to lose myself within radio, silencing my thoughts and voice, he loses that part of himself in silence. It's a piece that makes you think about the nature of speech and noise, and is refreshing to hear.
Comment for "Invisible Ink: Confessions of a Child Beauty Queen"
Mary P
Posted on November 08, 2006 at 05:57 PM | Permalink
Review of Invisible Ink: Confessions of a Child Beauty Queen
This is a great example of why the Invisible Ink series is so wonderful. The whole episode is dedicated to one woman's stories and reflections on the time she was a child beauty queen. It is fascinating to listen to these stories as they unfold, as you are never sure what will come next. The author's writing is simple. Not simple in the sense of being uncomplicated and basic; instead, the writing is easy to listen to and take in, while still being thoughtful, intelligent, and moving - a hard feat. Her writing and tone of voice are comforting, even when the subject matter turns to more disturbing topics. Her frankness in these topics is startling, but at the same time completely natural and reasonable. It started me wishing more (ideally all) media were more like this piece.
Comment for "Love For Sale"
Mary P
Posted on October 16, 2006 at 07:43 PM | Permalink
Review of Love For Sale
Anthony Mascorro's pieces remind me of everything I love about radio. The tone set by the music, the cuts between different stories, the intimacy of the narrative - it's all great. This piece especially reminds me of Joe Frank, with the phone conversations and snatches of philosophical musings interspersed between. The stories in this piece allow you within each person's world for just a few minutes, and it's that sense of reality and honesty that sets this apart from other pieces.
Comment for "TOE/Living in the Moment"
Mary P
Posted on February 25, 2006 at 12:24 AM | Permalink
Review of TOE/Living in the Moment
This piece demonstrates how one topic can swoop and stutter in many different ways, yet still make perfect sense within the general concept of the show. The elegance and simplicity of the last segment is surprising, and only after I had heard the whole thing did I realize how much I loved it, and that I would not forget it. All of the TOE productions are great, but this one is especially fascinating.
Comment for "Language is an Antibiotic"
Mary P
Posted on February 24, 2006 at 08:55 PM | Permalink
Review of Language is an Antibiotic
A beautiful mix of phrases, words, and sentences tied together with music that rips into you, but rips into you in a good way. I love words, and this piece captures my heart and imagination with its ability to construct phrases and metaphors that are original, sad, quirky, vivid, funny, etc. My favorite: "Over time, his spine twisted and knotted, like a flower confused as to the direction of the sun."