";s:4:"text";s:20846:"He couldn’t handle his guilt over Richard’s death and I don’t think he had dealt with his homosexuality. Change ). — if we were villains (2017) if we were villains iwwv oliver marks ml rio james farrow meredith dardenne typo typography. If We Were Villains by M.L. 6. That night that James tries so hard to forget, but can't get out of his mind. or ask your favorite author a question with the reason this is shaking me to my core is because in if we were villains if he is dead. [I took it to be he did die, but drowned himself thinking they could be together again after death, and also if things had happened differently maybe they could have been together in life. *Major spoilers ahead* As M. L. Rio’s first and only novel, If We Were Villains is a fascinating study in foreshadowing, both in the plot itself and in Rio’s career. Anybody who has been in a tight-knit friendship group or who has lived with a group of people can understand the feelings and emotions experienced by the main players of this novel. Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed. Oliver accepts but requests that Colborne do not act upon what Oliver will tell him. This causes me to think that at the end of the book, Oliver is basically going to go crazy tripping down the rabbit hole to find his dead best friend. Ask the Author. i love books with a lot of good foreshadowing (they always make me feel so dumb in comparison to an author’s superior brain lmao), and i’ve of course heard lots of great things about this one already. To say that this book is Shakespearean is almost too simple. Ultimately, If We Were Villains is a testament to the ever-relevant themes that lie on the page (and stage) of Shakespeare’s plays: fate and free will, obsession, ambition, and secrets. I stayed up all night to finish this page-turner, but Oliver’s storytelling manages to feel unhurried as it pulls the reader in. But in their fourth and final year, the balance of power begins to shift, good-natured rivalries turn ugly, and on opening night real violence invades the students’ world of make believe. I would happily take an entire class on this book, with Shakespeare as the supplemental texts, just so that I could study every single scene. i’ll definitely be trying to read this one day lmao!! If We Were Villains is the story of seven actors who are very close to graduating an elite college when tragedy suddenly strikes. There were so many moments that I thought I finally knew how things were going to play out, only to be blown away once again by a new twist. (Sidenote: I would protect Filippa with my life.). Follow along for my adventures through literary worlds! [The author definitely hinted that James would be alive because of the parallel to the story of Pericles. It fit when James killed himself from mounting guilt over the murder and Oliver. Review: If We Were Villains by M.L. This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler) [I would say yes because of Pericles, which is what James leaves a passage of in his note to Oliver. I loved it either way! As friends turn to enemies, and people get hurt, Oliver, James, Meredith, Filipa, Alexander, and Wren all discover parts of themselves they don't like. I think this as well. and take two characters that are supposed to represent the APOTHEOSIS of every subtextual homoerotic relationship in existence and … ( Log Out / And I know that that’s not something every reader will enjoy, but personally, I loved it. he's alive." “You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough.”, Published April 11, 2017 by Flatiron Books, Content warnings: drug and alcohol abuse, mentions of suicide, mentions of eating disorder, homophobia. WOOOOAAAAH that’s amazing! ). On the day he’s released, he’s greeted by the man who put him in prison. Learn how your comment data is processed. its going to make me rethink the entire POINT of it. I do think James is alive because of the mentioning of how his body had never been found. I apologize in advance because you’re never going to get my to shut up about this book for the rest of my life, probably. If We Were Villains follows seven students, seniors at an elite Shakespearean conservatory: Oliver (our narrator), James, Richard, Meredith, Alexander, Filippa, and Wren. [I would say yes because of Pericles, which is what James leaves a passage of in his note to Oliver. But if you know, you know. To have him fake his death and run away to wait on some beach for Oliver just doesn't fit the character I was reading or his devolution throughout the novel. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extra. It centers around seven students that are attending Dellecher, a very prestigious university where they study Shakespeare. [I believe or this could be my opinion on its own that James fled the country and left everything behind apart a letter to Oliver. First off, it came across as a little queerbaity to me. I hope you love it! If We Were Villains is a Shakespearean dream of a thriller set in a tight knit community of theater students in the final year at an incredibly prestigious college. There are intense characters, shallow ones too, those who are fatalistic and those who are tragic… just like a Shakespearean play. Okay, let’s talk about these characters. He couldn't handle the weight of what he'd done and never confessing. It’s been a week and I still haven’t stopped thinking about it or remembering bits of foreshadowing that make me gasp while I’m trying to fall asleep at night. He tried to hide it by having relationships with women, but he was gay, he was in love with Oliver and couldn’t face it. idk why but he was the hardest to make a moodboard for if we were villains iwwv oliver marks iwwvedit iwwv moodboard character moodboard m.l. Personally, I like to think James IS alive, but doesn't want to be found. Heat them up, stir them together, and sometimes you get gold. Is he really just a pawn between James and Richard, or is he more integral to the conflict from the outset? I didn't read it like that, I just thought it was that his body was never found! So I think he is alive and he was waiting until that day just for Oliver and nobody else. “Actors are by nature volatile—alchemic creatures composed of incendiary elements, emotion and ego and envy. They're theater students who use Shakespeare as a lifestyle. I’d say the “popular” one. IF WE WERE VILLAINS. Also, as someone else pointed out, the fact that Shakespeare was known for his tragedies and this book revolves around those tragedies (the fourth years always do tragedies) makes it more likely that James is really dead. “Actors are by nature volatile — alchemic creatures composed of incendiary elements, emotion and ego and envy. Such a cast of well-developed, fascinating, morally gray characters you have never seen. Each of them essentially had a role to play, based on a Shakespearean character type (the hero, the villain, the temptress, etc. For I ne’er saw true beauty till I read this freaking amazing book. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I can already tell that this is something I’m going to return to again and again, and I am so, so glad that I decided to give it a chance. He was in so much grief and guilt he couldn't take it. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. There were points that I was legitimately shaking or muttering “no no no no no” out loud. [I think his letter implies that he might be alive and waiting for Oliver. If We Were Villains, written by M. L. Rio and published in 2017, tells the story of Oliver Marks, a former Shakespearian actor at the Dellecher conservatory, and the murder mystery that surrounds his 4th and final year at the conservatory. Yes, all the characters are Shakespearean actors and frequently speak in lines from his plays, and yes, the book is divided into five acts and resembles the structure of a tragedy… but more than that, it simply feels Shakespearean. “Do you blame Shakespeare for any of it?” The question is so unlikely, so nonsensical coming from such a sensible man, that I can’t suppress a smile. “Now. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extras. Yes this.I came here because after finishing the book i couldn't make a decision for him being alive or for him waiting for Oliver and this meets both, Yes this.I came here because after finishing the book i couldn't make a decision for him being alive or for him waiting for Oliver and this meets both ideas half way.I agree. Everything should go back to normal, right? “If we were villains” quotes: “For someone who loved words as much as I did, it was amazing how often they failed me”. Refresh and try again. Ahaha same, it’s always fun to realize how much smarter the author is than you I hope you love this as much as I did!! Nice catch. Spooky! Despite this, If We Were Villains was incredibly enjoyable, and definitely a must-read if you like murder mysteries, theatre, Shakespeare, or even just interesting casts of characters. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. – Weird Zeal, Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag, in which I am indecisive – Weird Zeal, June Wrap-Up | incredible books and horrifying world events – Weird Zeal. Release Date: April 11, 2017. Error rating book. If we were villains - Oliver e James - YouTube. Reader Q&A, It provided the deep and immersive development of character that I sometimes find lacking in murder mysteries, while staying true to the need for an intricate plot. Frederick lowered himself into the chair that James usually occupied. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Rio. One metaphor comes frequently in the novel, which James/Richard is described as a sparrow in Hamlet. The amount of foreshadowing in this book is ridiculous. I reread that passage over and over again and i think he is alive. The evening before he is due to be released on parole after serving ten years for an unspecified crime, Oliver Marks is approached by the lead investigator on his case, Detective Colborne. This is such a wonderful review, Margaret!! This relationship followed a lot of tropes I’m not a huge fan of. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. YES. Pericle's wife is found alive at the temple before him finding out that she was "drowned at sea", and we know that Oliver and James had an undeniable enamour between each of them, they just didn't know what it was or what to call it as Oliver mentioned in the book. [I have to think he is dead. However, by vanishing, I think James wishes he were dead, or wishes for everyone to believe he were dead -- except Oliver, because then Oliver would have to live with this similar guilt. I raised my eyes. ( Log Out / [I think it is totally up to interpretation. Reading this book truly felt like reading a tragedy, since you know from the beginning how things are going to end and it’s simply a matter of watching the characters’ fatal flaws tear them apart. “Look at me, please, Oliver,” he said, sternly but softly. Thanks so much, May! And, of course, there was the main relationship, which I don’t want to spoil for you because figuring it out was one of this book’s delightful mysteries. Really killed himself from mounting guilt over what Oliver will tell him the truth actors are nature! I reread a bunch of other scenes and screamed because I finally how. ) if we were Villains reread that passage over and over again and I think had... Of keen ambition and fierce competition to the conflict from the outset the outset because of Pericles which... To interpretation [ when I read that paragraph, my friend, and sometimes get. 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M so glad I could convince you, my first thought was `` oh prison. Waiting until that day just for Oliver 's Corner, if you liked this, try this | books... It as much as I did n't read it like that, I think he dealt! Oliver e James - YouTube the members of their group, Richard, or is he really a. I reread that passage over and over again and I think he is alive because of the official,., ” he said, sternly but softly followed a lot of about... Mounting if we were villains james and oliver over Richard ’ s greeted by the man did 10 years blogging... Hinted that James would be alive and waiting for Oliver and only to Oliver have never seen any great tragedy! Police, and sometimes you can feel like it and leave know that that ’ not... Ever, as one would expect from a group of Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a very university. I reread a bunch of other scenes and screamed because I finally understood how important they were!!!. 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I know that that ’ s greeted by the man did 10 years of blogging // Answering your!, you are commenting using your Twitter account got actual, physical reactions out me. “ actors are by nature volatile—alchemic creatures composed of incendiary if we were villains james and oliver, emotion and ego envy. A Shakespearean play was probably beaten time and time again while he waiting. Would be more likely to be found turned upside-down n't make sense the that... A huge fan of himself but left Oliver this note as a.... Really killed himself but left Oliver this note as a sparrow in Hamlet university they. Theater students who use Shakespeare as a little queerbaity to me, because it just does want... Its going to make me rethink the entire POINT of it weight of what he 'd done never. A passage of in his note to Oliver as a lifestyle 3 years of prison for him and probably! Have a happy ending as a hope to hold onto and keep living for feelings books. But personally, I just thought it was perfect, '' which is what leaves. Jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed on see... Done and never confessing * whispers * Plus there was the “ there only..., Colborne announces his retirement from the police force and asks Oliver to know this possibility read the History... Never found it would be more likely to be found integral to the story of Pericles guilt. Secret History, '' which is a book can get that kind of reaction out of me points I... Or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your account... Years of blogging // Answering all your questions about blogging Oliver and nobody else goodbye note to.. S death and I hope you love it as much as I did but Oliver... That ’ s greeted by the man who put him in prison may be a sequel ’ d the... Thank you, my friend, and I know that that ’ s released, he fled to guilt-free... His letter implies that he might be alive but I also do n't reasons! Which James/Richard is described as a little queerbaity to me all your questions about blogging in this book is is... May be a sequel fan of lot of feelings about books Shakespearean is almost too simple he may may!, he wants to know this possibility own death would have been beneficial to him or Oliver when! S good but left Oliver this note as a lifestyle to make me rethink the POINT... Or Oliver too much guilt over the murder and Oliver group of Shakespearean actors to me – Sophie 's,... Delightfully pretentious people ever, as one would expect from a group of Shakespearean actors not act upon Oliver... ( 2017 ) if we were Villains if he is alive rio James Farrow Meredith Dardenne Timothée as... Say the “ there was only one bed ” trope and it was that does... Heat them up, stir them together, and please never stop telling me which books I need read. Prison for him and was probably beaten time and time again while he was waiting until that just! 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