Could not put this book down; such an interesting contrast between what was happening on stage, and what was going on the in three main characters heads. So much going on, a book to re-read for sure. ( )

The Performance is an original novel set during the performance of a Beckett play. I was surprised by how much I loved this novel. I'm not familiar with the play, but it doesn't matter. The author gives us enough details to make us feel as if we are also attending the performance.

Thomas focuses on three women attending the play. Margot, in her seventies, is a professor. She is freezing in the air con and develops a tickle in her throat that makes her cough and leads her to look for throat lozenges in her purse. The young man in the seat next to her is monopolizing the armrest. Summer, a student, is an usher and worried about the wild fire that approaches her partner's parents' home. She does breathing exercises to calm her anxiety. Finally, Ivy is a Beckett superfan. She has seen the play before and lets her mind wander. The man in the seat next to hers is snoring and she is strongly tempted to kick him.

Little details like this make the characters live.

The first part of the novel takes place during the first act of the play. Then, there's an intermission section, written as a script, when the characters leave their seats and interact. In the final part of the novel, the characters return to their seats, and the play ends.

The structure is interesting, and the characters are great. I will look for more by this author. Theater-goers will enjoy this novel. I'm glad I picked this up. ( )

I feel fairly lukewarm about this novel, although absolutely determined never to go and see Beckett's 'Happy Days', the play the characters here are watching. There was no real plot, other than a fear of the raging forest fires. Otherwise we learnt about the women's lives and preoccupations, which the author rather laboriously linked to Beckett's themes and dialogue. I didn't warm to any of the women and was glad when it was over. ( )

Would like to be friends with this author, her insights were all ridiculously accurate and I enjoyed her characters. The story didn’t go too far and I have no knowledge of Beckett plays which would have helped my rating. ( )