55 pages • 1 hour read
Anna Deavere SmithFires In The Mirror
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1993A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Fires in the Mirror by Anna Deavere Smith addresses the Crown Heights Riots of August 1991 in Brooklyn, NY, through a series of verbatim monologues taken from interviews conducted shortly after the events. The play highlights the racial tensions between the Jewish and Black communities, contextualized within broader American racial struggles, and features 29 monologues performed by Smith, portraying various real-life figures. The play includes graphic descriptions of violence and systemic racism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Fires In The Mirror by Anna Deavere Smith is lauded for its raw and compelling portrayal of racial tensions and community identity. Critics appreciate its innovative documentary-style format and the powerful, nuanced performances. Some note it can be challenging due to its fragmented narrative, but most agree it’s a profound and thought-provoking theatrical piece.
Who Should Read Fires In The Mirror?
Readers who appreciate Fires In The Mirror by Anna Deavere Smith are often drawn to complex societal issues, dramatic storytelling, and ethnographic theater. Fans of works like Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 and The Laramie Project will value its poignant exploration of race, identity, and community tensions.
RecommendedReading Age
16-18yearsLexile Level
NP0LBook Details
Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger
Race / Racism
Education
History: World
Education
Drama / Tragedy