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The Cube
An invitation to a mysterious theatrical performance changes the lives of two women in Adam Rapp’s riveting new audio play The Cube. Magda, an upper-class White woman, is shocked to the core by what she sees—and questions her complicity. Ruth, a Black woman who played a role in the show, is thrilled to be part of it—until she discovers her performance is all too convincing. A visceral and truly immersive audio experience that tackles issues of race, privilege, and cultural blindness.
Audiobook
Published June 2, 2022
7 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Adam Rapp
52books288followersAdam Rapp says that when he was working on his chilling, compulsively readable young adult novel 33 SNOWFISH, he was haunted by several questions. Among them: "When we have nowhere to go, who do we turn to? Why are we sometimes drawn to those who are deeply troubled? How far do we have to run before we find new possibilities?"
At once harrowing and hypnotic, 33 SNOWFISH--which was nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association--follows three troubled young people on the run in a stolen car with a kidnapped baby in tow. With the language of the street and lyrical prose, Adam Rapp hurtles the reader into the world of lost children, a world that is not for the faint of heart. His narration captures the voices of two damaged souls (a third speaks only through drawings) to tell a story of alienation, deprivation, and ultimately, the saving power of compassion. "For those readers who are ready to be challenged by a serious work of shockingly realistic fiction," notes SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, "it invites both an emotional and intellectual response, and begs to be discussed."
Adam Rapp’s first novel, MISSING THE PIANO, was named a Best Book for Young Adults as well as a Best Book for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association. His subsequent titles include THE BUFFALO TREE, THE COPPER ELEPHANT, and LITTLE CHICAGO, which was chosen as a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. The author’s raw, stream-of-consciousness writing style has earned him critical acclaim. "Rapp’s prose is powerful, graphic and haunting," says SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL. [He] writes in an earthy but adept language," says KIRKUS REVIEWS. "Takes a mesmerizing hold on the reader," adds HORN BOOK MAGAZINE.
In addition to being a novelist, Adam Rapp is also an accomplished and award-winning playwright. His plays--including NOCTURNE, ANIMALS AND PLANTS, BLACKBIRD, and STONE COLD DEAD SERIOUS--have been produced by the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the New York Theatre Workshop, and the Bush Theatre in London, among other venues.
Born and raised in Chicago, the novelist and playwright now lives in New York City.
At once harrowing and hypnotic, 33 SNOWFISH--which was nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association--follows three troubled young people on the run in a stolen car with a kidnapped baby in tow. With the language of the street and lyrical prose, Adam Rapp hurtles the reader into the world of lost children, a world that is not for the faint of heart. His narration captures the voices of two damaged souls (a third speaks only through drawings) to tell a story of alienation, deprivation, and ultimately, the saving power of compassion. "For those readers who are ready to be challenged by a serious work of shockingly realistic fiction," notes SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, "it invites both an emotional and intellectual response, and begs to be discussed."
Adam Rapp’s first novel, MISSING THE PIANO, was named a Best Book for Young Adults as well as a Best Book for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association. His subsequent titles include THE BUFFALO TREE, THE COPPER ELEPHANT, and LITTLE CHICAGO, which was chosen as a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. The author’s raw, stream-of-consciousness writing style has earned him critical acclaim. "Rapp’s prose is powerful, graphic and haunting," says SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL. [He] writes in an earthy but adept language," says KIRKUS REVIEWS. "Takes a mesmerizing hold on the reader," adds HORN BOOK MAGAZINE.
In addition to being a novelist, Adam Rapp is also an accomplished and award-winning playwright. His plays--including NOCTURNE, ANIMALS AND PLANTS, BLACKBIRD, and STONE COLD DEAD SERIOUS--have been produced by the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the New York Theatre Workshop, and the Bush Theatre in London, among other venues.
Born and raised in Chicago, the novelist and playwright now lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 2, 2023
Wtf?
That's it.
That's the review.
That's it.
That's the review.
July 12, 2022
There is a play within this play. A small, hand-picked audience is invited (for a ridiculous price) to see an experimental play. The invitees are told nothing about the play, not even its location. The actors appear inside a cube on the stage. What transpires is shocking and confusing. Some of the audience members are more impacted than others. Later, the pov of one of the actors in the play is also presented and she finds that maybe the play dug a little too deeply into the audience.
Both this play, and the play within, seem designed to raise consciousness, create guilt and provoke conversation. They are also a little patronizing and make assumptions about the audience. I’ve attended plays like that before, where the playwright assumes they are much more aware/experienced than the audience. I would definitely have left in the middle of the play within the play, but then I wouldn’t have paid the money to see it in the first place. This play was ok, but I’m glad I didn’t pay to see it.
Both this play, and the play within, seem designed to raise consciousness, create guilt and provoke conversation. They are also a little patronizing and make assumptions about the audience. I’ve attended plays like that before, where the playwright assumes they are much more aware/experienced than the audience. I would definitely have left in the middle of the play within the play, but then I wouldn’t have paid the money to see it in the first place. This play was ok, but I’m glad I didn’t pay to see it.
August 8, 2022
Strange and Crazy but I would like a novel with the two women protagonists! FREE on Audible. The most perfect narration ever!
June 22, 2022
I really wanted to like this bc I love RENT and so by default wanted to love anything by Adam Rapp. It just made no sense. Full of artistic metaphor and rambling and even some Dr. Seuss thrown in for good measure, I just never got the point of the thing. I kept waiting. All I recognize is the apparent menta decline of the main character. Sorry Adam. This doesn’t give me any measure of love.
April 3, 2023
This was all over the freaking place, some disturbing topics which doesn't really bother me but damn there was no cohesiveness at all. It was so bad I didn't even listen to the last 20 minutes. and the first act narrators voice was so low I could barely understand what the hell she was saying. Just bad bad bad all around.
September 30, 2023
Mmm, not sure what to say about this free audible original. The narration was well done, but the story was trying too hard.
June 17, 2022
I really don't like giving bad review. I will say this the audiobook sounded good, and I was curious the whole time hoping it would make sense, or at least the purpose of the story would be revealed. Sadly it didn't for me.
July 1, 2022
First act is excellent then it shits itself
January 22, 2023
Weird
September 4, 2022
Wow. Unexpected devising and powerful portrayals, hauntingly married.
4 to 5 stars.
4 to 5 stars.
January 17, 2024
Great beginning - grabbed my attention, and kept it throughout the first act. Second act, had me wondering where it was going. Third act was confusing seemingly morphing from one person in the story to another, and then clearly ending with Magda, the wealthy woman, having a transactional relationship with Ruth, the young actor. There was a background of pandemic, night curfews in the city, and violent looting. There was unpleasant alarming music between scenes (on purpose).
This two-hour audio performances were excellent. (Note: R-rated scenes in the Cube during performances. Listen to it when "little ears" are not listening.)
Not sure if I'd recommend it or not. It was very well done, interesting, and weird.
This two-hour audio performances were excellent. (Note: R-rated scenes in the Cube during performances. Listen to it when "little ears" are not listening.)
Not sure if I'd recommend it or not. It was very well done, interesting, and weird.
September 23, 2022
This book was about as confusing as the play that went on inside the cube! This is like one of those “weird� art exhibits that you see inside a museum that supposed to be awe inspiring, and transcends the scope of the human mind and depths of blah blah blah�..and only certain people get it. You know, one of those type art exhibits?
That’s how this book reads. And I’m one of the people who didn’t get it.
That’s how this book reads. And I’m one of the people who didn’t get it.
November 16, 2022
Strange and fascinating. Original radio drama produced by audible.
March 9, 2023
Just. No.
December 29, 2023
Weird� just weird.
October 29, 2024
Just so stupid
June 30, 2022
I couldn't decide if I should give this three stars or four stars. Short story with lots of observational descriptions but not emotional. The author leaves that up to the listener to fill in. The same event seen, participated in, and experienced from two different lives. You get the before, during and after from each character.
Honestly, this audiobook reminds me of something that I would have read and dissected in my high school AP Lit class, albeit a little more adult. You can dig for the deeper meaning, compare and contrast each of the character perspectives and actions, and definitely have some great spin-off conversations.
It's easy to see the social, economical, and racial discrepancies throughout the story but they're not addressed directly. The overall story isn't inherently bad or good, it's just there. Left for the listener to interpret it however they'd like. I enjoyed it as someone who works with but not in the arts.
Honestly, this audiobook reminds me of something that I would have read and dissected in my high school AP Lit class, albeit a little more adult. You can dig for the deeper meaning, compare and contrast each of the character perspectives and actions, and definitely have some great spin-off conversations.
It's easy to see the social, economical, and racial discrepancies throughout the story but they're not addressed directly. The overall story isn't inherently bad or good, it's just there. Left for the listener to interpret it however they'd like. I enjoyed it as someone who works with but not in the arts.
June 8, 2022
An Amazing Performance.
Every once in a while you stumble upon a piece of Art that stops you in your tracks. It hasn’t happened that often for me with Audible Originals but The Cube hit me hard.
There was something about the plot of the piece and the structure Rapp employed that captivated me. Gugino and Canfield’s acting was beautifully attuned to the theme and perfectly evoked the personalities of the characters they played. Also there was something surreal about the theme and setting of the work that accurately portrayed the disrupted Apocalyptic World of Twenty First Century America that we are living in.
Thank you Adam Rapp and Audible Originals for this intense but quite enjoyable listen. Four Stars.
Every once in a while you stumble upon a piece of Art that stops you in your tracks. It hasn’t happened that often for me with Audible Originals but The Cube hit me hard.
There was something about the plot of the piece and the structure Rapp employed that captivated me. Gugino and Canfield’s acting was beautifully attuned to the theme and perfectly evoked the personalities of the characters they played. Also there was something surreal about the theme and setting of the work that accurately portrayed the disrupted Apocalyptic World of Twenty First Century America that we are living in.
Thank you Adam Rapp and Audible Originals for this intense but quite enjoyable listen. Four Stars.
April 19, 2023
What did I just read/listen to? The feel of the book is that it is artsy and very cerebral, but I don't think I really understood it. The Cube centers around two women whose lives are shaped by a strange performance that takes place in a cube. One of the women is an audience member and she becomes enraptured with the performance and focuses on one particular performance where a woman gives birth. The other woman is the actor/performer who the audience member fixates on. The women's lives slowly converge in an unexpected way and an already odd tale becomes even odder. It was a very quick story to listen to, but I overall had mixed feelings on if it was really thought provoking or if it was just weird.
January 29, 2024
Magda is an upper-class White woman of society.
Ruth is a black girl performing in a theatrical presentation.
When Magda is invited to the secret performance, she witnesses something that disturbs her beyond all things. For Ruth, who is in the performance, is thrilled to be involved. But when things turn sideways, the women are brought together. It seems like Ruth has exactly what Magda has always wanted.
This was a strange audiobook.. it has an Eyes Wide Shut kind of feel. Secret society putting on performances for the rich. No holds-bar.. anything goes. The things money can buy.. and make people do.
Ruth is a black girl performing in a theatrical presentation.
When Magda is invited to the secret performance, she witnesses something that disturbs her beyond all things. For Ruth, who is in the performance, is thrilled to be involved. But when things turn sideways, the women are brought together. It seems like Ruth has exactly what Magda has always wanted.
This was a strange audiobook.. it has an Eyes Wide Shut kind of feel. Secret society putting on performances for the rich. No holds-bar.. anything goes. The things money can buy.. and make people do.
September 23, 2022
I’m not sure what I thought the plot of this story was TO BE. But it was NOT the happy go lucky storyline I created in my head. The beginning of this story brought feelings of confusion due to not understanding if this is the play, disbelief, anxiety, and full of WTF is wrong with people! I know…privilege🤬 BUT baby!!! Partway through this journey did not disappoint!! Lawd!!! It did not!! It’s crazy how this woman’s life has taken an unpredictable roller coaster ride through life. Hell it took my emotions on a roller coaster ride just listening. How this book ended was so unexpected.
February 23, 2023
The story is disjointed. I think I rewound more in this 2 hour audible than I have in any other "book". The first act was strange/facinating and the second more emotional for me. I liked the second act much more than the first. Still, the listener gets pieces and no wholes. No conclusion. The reader can decide that for themselves. I doubt I could listen to this format for a long time but it is every effective for a short 2 hour piece. I thought the performance by both narrators to be superb and would highly recommend it for that reason alone. I'll be looking for more narration by both.
January 17, 2024
It’s strange, it’s weird, it’s going to be disturbing for some. Here’s the thing, if you sometimes like things that make you think about humanity, human nature, or just humanistic characteristics from a physiological stand point; then you will appreciate this audiobook.
If you have ever seen the films: The Circle, The Platform, or the show black mirror. These point out uncomfortable characteristics of man kind, but it makes you think none the less.
That’s what this book does.
It does read more like a screen play than a book, which I think helps with the visualization.
If you have ever seen the films: The Circle, The Platform, or the show black mirror. These point out uncomfortable characteristics of man kind, but it makes you think none the less.
That’s what this book does.
It does read more like a screen play than a book, which I think helps with the visualization.
July 12, 2022
I’m not really sure what they were trying to do with this. It starts interestingly enough, but really goes nowhere. Not bad, just not…good? I’m not sure what to think. At least it was free.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
October 10, 2024
This was a really strange book. Rapp's prose (or whatever the play analog of that is) was elegant, and the situation describing in the opening act was strange and disturbing, something I generally appreciate in a book, but the development of one of the main characters didn't really make sense to me and left a lot to be desired. With more time and development, this book could have possibly been devastating, but in its current form, that character's transformation wasn't sufficiently built up, and I couldn't believe it. It seemed to fall into the trap I occasionally see of assuming that aspirations of motherhood are all-consuming for women, which may be true of a few women but not most of us, which is disappointing after how much I liked the first Rapp play I listened to, The Sound Inside. I still intend to seek out more of his work, but I'm more hesitant now than I was before.
March 7, 2023
2.5/5
Looking at other reviews, I am so relieved to see I'm not alone in my confusion. I feel like I'm both close to grasping whatever the story tried to convey... but also quite not.
All I can say is, well, wtf? And that the narrators' performances in this one were excellent! Unfortunately the music was a little obnoxious. The actor's voice would be so soothing, lulling me to sleep (I use audiobooks partly to fall asleep) and then the transition music would go off like a freaking apocalypse horn in my ears *sob*
Looking at other reviews, I am so relieved to see I'm not alone in my confusion. I feel like I'm both close to grasping whatever the story tried to convey... but also quite not.
All I can say is, well, wtf? And that the narrators' performances in this one were excellent! Unfortunately the music was a little obnoxious. The actor's voice would be so soothing, lulling me to sleep (I use audiobooks partly to fall asleep) and then the transition music would go off like a freaking apocalypse horn in my ears *sob*
March 9, 2023
Definitely not for me. Maybe it's supposed to be artistic, like the artistic but strange performance in the cube, but I didn't care for it. The story begins interesting enough, a mysterious envelope appears with an invitation to a performance. The performance is pretty strange but everyone seems to love it. After the performance the main character, I forget her name, becomes obsessed. She can't stop thinking about it. She runs into other patrons around town and can't stop herself from talking to them. Ultimately she loses everything and her mind.
January 7, 2024
This is a short story about grief and exploitation. Rich upper class white people watching a gluttonous lower class man stuff himself with cheap junk food and a black woman birthing a baby alone with no help as they just sit there and watch. I think if we really look and delve deeper into the story you can kind of see what the author is getting at. I will be thinking about this story for a long time I believe in finding new facets I'm with the author was trying to tell me each time I reflect back.
September 29, 2022
Very well-written, shocking and addictive in many ways. It's perfect for a spooky read that leaves you thinking about the ending. But I did come out of the story feeling kinda sh*tty and wondering what that had been all about. I wished there was a bit more closure and maybe better links to contemporary issues (contemporary issues were mentioned but they seemed to just be there to establish a time period for the story).
November 23, 2022
I liked it, but I don’t necessarily understand it. The narration was good and I enjoyed the sound effects. The point of the story though…possibilities I considered were the nature of art imitating and influencing life, misplaced white guilt without meaningful action, the false identities we share with the world and believe about others.
I would love to learn the author’s thoughts behind the performance or even the thoughts of other readers.
I would love to learn the author’s thoughts behind the performance or even the thoughts of other readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
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