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Fat Ham

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Fat Ham

By: James Ijames
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About this listen

The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times Critic's Pick that served Broadway "raucous comedy and nonstop pleasure" has made its way home to Audible. Juicy is a queer, Southern college kid already grappling with some serious questions of identity when the ghost of his father shows up in their backyard, demanding that Juicy avenge his murder. But here’s the rub! Revenge doesn’t come easy to Juicy, a sensitive and self-aware young Black man in search of his own happiness and liberation. From an uproarious family cookout emerges a "smart, fearless, and wildly entertaining” (Chicago Tribune) examination of love, pain, and joy from writer James Ijames and director Saheem Ali.

This audio play contains strong language and deals with mature themes. Listener discretion advised.

Now available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

©2023 James Ijames (P)2023 AO Media LLC African American Literature & Fiction United States World Literature
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It’s the week after Juicy’s father’s death, and family and close friends have gathered for a backyard BBQ. Black, queer, and closeted, Juicy didn’t particularly like his own father, so when his father’s ghost appears and asks Juicy to avenge him by killing Juicy’s uncle, he’s less than keen. But Juicy is having a hard time accepting that his uncle has already moved in with Juicy’s mother, especially when his uncle also treats him so badly. Will he appease his father’s ghost by perpetuating the cycle of violence or do things differently?

This play won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, probably for its modern-day interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It’s a strange blend of old and new with Juicy occasionally quoting lines directly from the original play. It’s a mostly sad story with Juicy’s momma torn between her love for her son while trying to appease her new man and Juicy feels that betrayal deeply. I liked the gay and black themes but ultimately found it an uncomfortable experience and the occasional bits of humour jarred, especially the ending. 🎧 The ensemble cast gives an excellent audio performance, especially the karaoke section!

An uncomfortable listen!

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I havent seen thie stage play but this audible audio version doesn’t work. On here, it doesn’t sound like a Pulitzer Prize winner. Perhaps the poetry got lost in translation?

It’s a Pulitzer Prize winner (Drama)

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