I loved Mischa Berlinski's debut Fieldwork but haven't read anything by him since. His third novel, Mona Acts Out, is a very different beast. On the face of it, it's another #MeToo story. Mona, a Shakespearean actress, spent most of her career working with famous director Milton Katz and his company. Now she's moved elsewhere and Milton's career is over after a wave of accusations of sexual misconduct from women who worked for him over the years have forced him to retire. Mona Acts Out takes place over the course of a day and a night as Mona walks out of hosting Thanksgiving with her in-laws and embarks on a crazy, redemptive journey across New York. What I really loved about this novel, however, was not its nuanced exploration of sexual politics but the way Berlinski writes about performing, and especially about performing Shakespeare. Mona reflects constantly on how Milton's controversial techniques helped her develop her craft, how she feels particular roles should be played - Isabella from Measure for Measure is a thematic touchstone, as is her upcoming part, Cleopatra - and how truly great productions create their effect on the audience. Berlinski is adept at weaving Mona's inner world into her outer world, mirroring the way that we actually think, so even when Mona's deep in a flashback, we see the way it's affecting the streets where she's walking. And bonus points for Barney, Mona's dog, whose inner world we occasionally glimpse; so hard to write a dog character without any sentimentality, but still with warmth, and Berlinski pulls it off. I especially enjoyed Barney's transcendent encounter with an egg-and-bacon bagel.

This book definitely conflicted me, as the blurb seemed so enticing but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The plot was quite tedious, and maybe it’s because I’ve been reading quite a few theatre books recently (Audition for example), but the narrative didn’t stand out to me.

An interesting character study of actress Mona, the chaotic cast of characters around her and the entertainment world. I enjoyed those parts better than the actual narrative and plot, which didn't quite keep me hooked. A book that knows what it wants to be though.

how we play roles to get through our days, and how the great roles teach us how to live. this line is what drew me into this book.
i wasnt captured by it but i think that was more because i went in wanting this woman to find herself and her voice. but maybe that also being unrealistic. because at the end the woman seemed to have a night of letting and running free. but then went back and stayed in her role. or realised it was the role she wanted? i was never quite sure.
the cast of characters was a triumph though. and the delve in this world of the theatre was a fun one. i think i wanted more from this book but even saying that im not sure exactly what that is. but maybe this book is more real than i give it credit for. that the roles we play are perhaps not as important as the roles we end up choosing, or are indeed us. it certainly made me think. and the witty and fun prose throughout gave me smiles and giggles. i thought the touch on what happens behind the doors of the theatre was really well touched upon. that is exactly as i could picture those darker parts occuring. weve all seen it happen. sadly we all still see it happening.
this was one womans journey and i did enjoy traveling alongside her in her search for "Parsley"...

Mona Acts Out by Mischa Berlinski is a perceptive and well-written novel about a woman struggling with her relationships with her husband and her inlaws and with her son at the same time as she is navigating a bereavement after the death of her sister and also re-evaluating her career decisions.

Mona is an established stage actress living in New York. During a mid-life crisis moment, and after receiving a postcard from a stage director, whom she had worked with, Mona finds herself in a metaphorical play of her life divided into blurring acts (as in parts of a play).
I found some parts, especially the first two chapters, engaging and funny.
Pros
the theatre scene
NY
in-laws
Mona’s dilemmas
the rage

Room for improvement
The plot
the resolution
the layers and details (more sophistication)

I love novels that have anything to do with the entertainment industry and it was so fun getting a behind the scene look at life through famous theatre actress Mona. Sometimes you just have a break in life and half to find your way back and it was so nice seeing Mona find her self again and go on this journey with her.