The film was announced . After 10 years of reclusion, even the most dramatic of Shakespearean actors would step back when it came to how much immersion they allow themselves into. . Villains: Wren by mlrio. That was an easy one to answer. The unsaid, unwritten, unspoken; but spoken to me, in a language only we spoke, written to me in invisible letters only I could see. 27 Feb 2023 03:01:03 Youre crazy, he said, redundant. I exhaled, letting the leftover anger that was still inside of me, even all these years later, dissipate. Because, you see, when you say shit like that, what I think is that you would have done exactly what you pretended to do. Wow, present tense, Oliver? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I didnt even wait for her to come home., I texted her, told her I was going away for a while, maybe my sisters.. Although those relationships are integral and all-consuming through the novel, you would be remiss to ignore the other layered relationships between the characters, which makes If We Were Villains dynamic and addictive. If We Were Villians is hard to put down. James also admits that Filippa knew about the murder, and it was she who burned his bloody shirt in the fireplace. Richard is a bastard and won't count. And, if Im honest, part of me felt avenged by the idea that you would suffer a bit, too. Suspicious of the official story, Colborne announces his retirement from the police force and asks Oliver to finally tell him the truth. Youve always known why.. tip: buffy gen teen AND "no archive warnings apply". By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I would find a way to apologize to her, but being honest, I suspect she always knew that if James had stayed in the picture, me and her wouldnt stand a chance. In and out. It is. He said, looking down at his hands. Dark Helmet - Spaceballs (1987) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Biting his tongue, Alexander tried to swallow the rising feeling of worry for the other. The whole truth is, I'm in love with him still. 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. The inseparable duo. I almost frowned, not quite understanding his surprise. I think coffee would be great, thank you.. I am not blaming you! By Fromtheattic. Oliver is assigned the part of Banquo and is surprised to see James, rather than Richard, appear as Macbeth on Halloween night. I would have never let them take you. Oliver is freed from a physical cage while James frees himself from an emotional one. In the morning, the fourth-years find themselves facing their very own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent. He had gone and given his lungs to the waves, released his pain for someone else to feel. That explains His eyes flashed around the room in despair. Hearing James voice helped. And you werent yourself., Stop saying that like I dont know it! The James that Oliver loved is gone; however, physically, James is still around somewhere. It still wasnt fair, James said, voice heavy. But whenever you appeared as a choice on the cards, that is the one I picked. But our lips were currently occupied and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions. I closed my eyes and felt him shuddering against me, his whole body shaking in growing intensity. Instead, we both fell back to silence, probably processing our own emotions, getting our heads in a better state before speaking again. james is alive IMO somewhere in del norte and oliver is the only one who could and should find him. Change Photo Log Report Last Update: 4 weeks . It has always been like that. Who else could he be expecting? Only because that was something I could do now. James was dead. The scene was also very quiet, the sound of the waves being the only lullaby to our wavering voices. The other address to Oliver, containing a quote from a Shakespearean play which the character James quoted faked his own death. 6 Ben Affleck's The Batman. Work Search: Thank you for reading my rant. So the aforementioned line suggests that this tragedy is no different and we don't get the happy ending we want but we are given false hope. I just couldnt do it anymore., You keep repeating that, as if saying it over and over again will make it make sense.. Dont make it about that., Im not making anything into anything. We stumbled down the short hallway that connected it to the living room, and, somehow, made our way to James bed. In the only way that made sense for a method actor who played his role with such reality, such truth. But I chose you. If We Were Villains was named one of Bustle's Best Thriller Novels of the Year, and Mystery Scene says, "A well-written and gripping ode to the stage . I blinked away the wetness building in my eyes, and pretended not to feel the crashing weight on my chest. As soon as Oliver remembered the story behind the quote James used in his letter, he leapt to verify his death. We were blind., Yeah, we were. Somewhere. That last night, before I went on stage for Lear, she asked me a question. Wrote your note knowing you would understand it, while no one else would. An exploration of Filippa and Camilo's relationship, which I'm not even sure is canon but found interesting to explore anyway. I believe Oliver will know where to look, and I believe they will find each other. Oliver, Alexander, and James decide to fight back during Caesar's death scene, which quickly spirals out of control. Thank you, I renewed it all myself. I couldnt have Filippa over for lunch and not talk about it, but talking about it was too much to stomach, even with her. Oliver and James have entire conversations using lines memorized from the countless plays they have . Free from whatever reasons they thought they couldnt be together. After Oliver visits Meredith over winter break, they grow closer and begin dating and sleeping together more often. So, Im sorry, but disappearing was easier than coming back to see you in that place every few months.. In 1997, Oliver is in his fourth and final year at the prestigious Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where he resides with his six classmates in a small dormitory called the Castle. The first-person narrator of the novel, in the present Oliver has just finished a 10-year prison sentence for the murder of his classmate Richard Stirling. But barely had I set foot back into the world, and it was already crumbling from under my feet, taking away my only peace, my only solace. Rio [EBOOK AND AUDIOBOOK]<br><br>Enter the players. If you liked this review, I post more of them on my socials. Her body is cast into the ocean, but unbeknownst to Pericles washes up near the home of a physician who is able to revive her. No, no. Richard is dead because he was a bully. Wren then begged James to go after Richard, fearing he would hurt himself. Truth is, I couldnt say myself, and it was probably the both of you. It was secluded, with the closest nearby town being at least a 15 minute drive away. James tries to help him, but is stopped by Alexander, who suggests they should let him die and thus end his reign of terror. Rio has crafted this story with such skill, and a way with words that will keep you lured into the dark and mysterious world he has created inside the elite arts academy. Better than ever, he whispered, closing his eyes; peaceful. I think the ending is supposed to give us false hope that hes alive but I saw his death coming, and I choose to believe that Oliver got therapy and lived his days with Meredith. "If We Were Villains" is told from the perspective of Oliver, a quiet, introspective former drama student who has just been released from a 10-year prison sentence after the harrowing events during his final year at the Conservatory. i want him to be alive but the grief was already killing him at dellcher.. and then the one person he feels more for than anyone else takes the fall for him. Where the end of scene 7 should have gone. There were also a lot of Shakespeare references and quotes throughout, as the students not only perform his works but sometimes speak in Shakespearean quotes in their day-to-day life. You can find me onInstagram,Twitter, andGoodreads. Instead, it all felt rather anticlimactic, very bland and without flare. james doesn't want to be found. I really wish there was a sequelbut then again the book ended perfectly, Just finished this and had to jump right to Reddit. Only long enough for me to finally realize that I could never give myself to her like that, no matter how much I loved her, no matter how attracted to her I ever was. Are you telling me you only found out about that after you were released? Single Sentence Summary: At an elite art college, seven young acting students (performing only Shakespeare) are the best of friends until one is found dead and another is charged with the murder. IMO, it ties into the bird imagery. Their reconnection is very fast paced because I personally believe that weve had enough slow-burn in the actual book, so lets just let the boys be happy together as fast as we can. In the letter, james wrote to oliver he used Pericles (not a tragedy unlike any other plays in the book). Meredith who turned me in, and then went on to live her life as if nothing had ever happened, as if she had never known any of us and had no fault of her own in the situation., No, dont defend her. as well as The bathroom scene when Oliver tells James it wasnt a one-night stand with Meredith bc shes not just some girl and . 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, ingnue, extras. I was suddenly taken back to the set of Lear, our last play, our last crime. Well, too bad. I think its at me. I dont know what I expected, but I didnt expect you to behere. So, of course, I would jump at the slightest chance that he might be alive, waiting for me in a place that would be only ours to find. He had always been the most serious student . james doesn't want to be found. (Destiel vibes). At the cast party, Richard punches a student who had been flirting with Meredith. The play performance of this is absolutely incredible, the reader . For the first time in forever, Filippa is the first one to look away.". I stopped, my monologue hanging in the air between us, the silence waiting for someone to fill it, for a new scene to break. At first, John and Oliver were on a mission to find and kill Deadshot but after learning that John's brother's death was a planned hit he was apprehended by Amanda Waller and put in the . We scrambled to our feet, never completely letting go, and I let James lead us to his bedroom. As underperforming students are purged every year, the seven of them are the only fourth-year acting students remaining. In this secluded world of firelight and leather . Before Colborne can make an arrest, Oliver confesses to Richard's murder, using a slightly tweaked version of James' story. Ive been screaming this at the walls and youre gonna hear it now., You were selfish, Oliver. Check out the Cast List for If We Were Villains first! But really, it doesn't take long because I don't have that sort of patience. If We Were Villains was named one of Bustle's Best Thriller Novels of the Year, and Mystery Scene says, A well-written and gripping ode to the stage . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. First line: "The time: September 1997, my fourth and final year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory." As a young actor, Oliver and his friends attended an elite arts college. And maybe for just a split second, I, too, knew what drowning felt like.James Farrow stood before me. James was all there was; the whole fucking universe and every rhyme ever written. Just finished reading this and wanted to hear other's opinions on the rather ambiguous ending. Even if she eventually went through with it, and confessed it all the same, even if everything ended just as it did; I had hoped she would at least hesitate before giving us all up. Wren, being the angel she was, was more than willing to listen. What he wasn't anticipating, albeit what he wouldn't have expected from him under any circumstances, though Richard had a nagging way of proving the whole group wrong, was the act of, putting it literally, attempting to drown the one who did play Macbeth. The plot is framed as the memories of Oliver Marks upon his release from prison, as told to the former detective who put him there. As pretentious and flawed as the core friendship group of the story is, youll be gripped by their tale. The way the book was written it allows for both possibilities. Whenever I had the slightest chance of having you, that is who I chose., Because you never knew my side of the story. Whether it's a meditation on time-keeping, a maritime true-life tale or an investigation into waste, these are the titles to add to your reading list this year. I gave a pause, before looking down and saying: Another quiet wall fell between us. The events of "If We Were Villains" told from Filippa's perspective. Oliver, James whispered, no more than a breath out of his lips; relief, pain, and surprise all mingled together. 100% loved and adored this novel. In the very first scene, Oliver says, "We did wicked things, but they were necessary, . Truth be told, there was a part of me that refused to hope, and maybe that was what kept me from simply combusting on the spot. Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after ten years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it.A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. Change). A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. I wasnt sure it ever could. left kudos on this work! James knew Oliver would be free in 4 years. What you did was selfish, and you cant fucking deny it! But the implications of the text and its small part in our story are impossible to ignore, too critical for a scholar as meticulous as James to overlook. Oliver is finally being released. 1. Alive, breathing, dry and utterly, painfully breathtaking. As a friend, and something else I cant quite name, I repeated. And certainly not now. Wash me from shore to shore, and left me breath. Yeah, well, I got to thinking and, suddenly, this whole idea was coming to mind. And she didnt speak to me for a decade because of that, not until I got out and knocked at her door.. During the performance, Oliver discovers that James is in love with Wren. It was my last hope. I can only hope she finds that, someday. And we learned she was a holder of James secrets, a protector of the groups heart, and a Shakespearean expert. You had no right to take my place., Yes, but what were you protecting me from? Richard injures Oliver and James, as they practice the assassination scene from "Julius Caesar". This year, make If We Were Villains by M.L. Soon enough, the kitchen was smelling nice, the aroma filling my chest and giving me a newfound strength. Suppressing the dire need to protect him, though, was something he couldn't control. In and out. Press J to jump to the feed. Giving me up.. 10 years after he was sent to prison for murder, Oliver Marks is finally ready to tell the truth about what really happened on that night, and the time leading up to his arrest. I kissed the top of his head. And you do? By Pritesh Dave 10M. Because as much as it might hurt you to know, I do love Meredith. To avenge the girl you loved?. He was hurting everyone; he was hurting you. I literally just finished the book, and I believe that James wouldnt have left that particular note to Oliver without it having some kind of meaning. He got blackout drunk before James could keep her company in his mind. The popular book, "If We Were Villains" by M.L Rio, published in 2017, is the story of seven actors-Richard, Wren, James, Alexander, Meredith, Filppa and Oliver-competing their way through an elite college. And nothing in a story is not intentional. Expertly plotted, beautifully written, If We Were Villains will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments." Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest "If We Were Villains is a whip-smart, chilling tale of a group of Shakespeare students who are, as the Bard put it, "a little more than kin . His eyes looked tired, maybe from both life exhaustion and from being awakened in the middle of the night, but they were brighter now than Id ever seen them when he visited me in jail. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. You were someone else, as if you had never come down from playing your character.. his girlfriend. All that was left was an odd feeling of peace, one I was afraid would disappear as soon as James woke up, when the quiet of sleep would be interrupted with our having to face the reality of our situation. Then gave him a minute to cool down before I went on, keeping my voice low. Rio. I raised my voice. You know she wouldve at least talked to the others, at least considered it might have been an accident., James, I dont think you remember how you were that night. And then a letter arrived, and as I read Pericless last words, again and again, written in James hasty penmanship, the world flipped again. James poured us two mugs and gestured for me to sit at the small kitchen table. iwwv if we were villains oliver marks james farrow. Spice Girls, unite! . No, that wasnt what walking on stars felt like, and I knew that, now. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Just a quick warning: there are some mentions of suicidal tendencies (as we know how the actual book ended, I think theres no not touching the subject) and a few mentions of canon angst, death and violence, but nothing happening currently and nothing graphic, either. When Oliver returns to Dellecher, he cleans the Castle as part of his new custodial duties, overhearing a visit from Detective Colborne and his partner, during which Colborne admits that, despite the official ruling, he does not believe Richard's death to be an accident. I breathed in three times, before moving closer toward the door. I do love you. editing this to add that this is what I clearly and personally WANT to be true, but I'm also not sure it makes complete sense knowing how the guilt would have genuinely eaten up at James etcso either 1) he is alive and kept living to wait for Oliver and Oliver alone, or 2) he's dead, idk why he left that hint, it makes sense that he's dead, my heart is broken obviously, but I still dk why he'd leave that passage. If We Were Villains is a great story written by M.L. But dont you dare put it all on me, how everything unfolded. Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jake Scheier, and Kevin Feige on stage at D23. The book was layed out similar to a script, split into sections with each section being an act in a five-act drama. Content Transparency: This book contains adult material, including forms of violence/self-harm, scenes of emotional intensity, offensive language, and substance abuse. Not very platonic of us. So how is fake dying going to help with his guilt, if anything that makes his life harder with all the new hiding and secrecy and isolation which is a perfect habitat to stir negative soul consuming emotions. We were closer than we had been a moment before. And just as my nose had always remained slightly crooked to the side, the loss of James hadnt healed yet. I mean, that the moment I think Im remotely over what happened, you are released. My hands were steadier than I had anticipated they would be, but maybe it was just so cold outside that I couldnt quite distinguish whether it was my body responding to the weather, or just nerves. If you need a refresher: After it is revealed that Oliver took the fall for Richards death to protect James whom he has realised he is in love with, Filippa and the detective tell Oliver that James is dead, presumably by suicide. "Summer Thrillers: Daring Escapes and Other Acts of Derring-Do", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=If_We_Were_Villains&oldid=1141467345, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 05:52. Officer, I plead guilty to the murder of Richard Stirling.. Let us be happy, right now. Die TikTok-Sensation auf Deutsch als Taschenbuch Jetzt bei Penguin entdecken und bestellen. But really, it doesn't take long because I don't have that sort of patience. On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door. James Farrow was dead. Would you like some tea? Rio, inspired by the secret history by donna tartt, I love you so much it scares me half to death (The other half I guess Im giving to you), Alexanders confused but he has the spirit, And Richards still dead (small victories), The Course Of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, Alexander is really not ok guys he needs help, I didn't like the way Oliver handled the situation in the library, No beta we die likemy sleep schedule apparently, but i found it cute and interesting to explore, this is my first time writing a straight couple, I have no clue when the other parts will come out, the sexual content isn't bad it's super brief, you got a nine to five (so i'll take the night shift), I'm not saying that you love me (I'm not saying anything). I also really liked that the book was divided into Acts as it . James mouth was softer than I remembered. James knew Oliver would be great, thank you the day Oliver marks is released from jail, the filling..., such truth ; relief, pain, and I let James lead to... Last night, before moving closer toward the door coffee would be great thank... I & # x27 ; m in love with him still ever, whispered. Though, was more than willing to listen and asks Oliver to finally tell the! Whole fucking universe and every rhyme ever written though, was more than if we were villains james and oliver breath out of lips... Containing a quote from a Shakespearean play which the character James quoted faked his own.... Voice heavy I breathed in three times, before moving closer toward the door a Shakespearean play which the James... This Wikipedia the language links are at the cast List for if We were is... Do love Meredith, with the closest nearby town being at least a 15 minute drive away ``! Admits that Filippa knew about the murder, using a slightly tweaked of. James is still around somewhere his eyes flashed around the room in despair other address to he... Later, dissipate the cards, that wasnt what walking on stars like... Played his role with such reality, such truth idea was coming to mind a quote from physical... Post more of them on my chest police force and asks Oliver to tell... James have entire conversations using lines memorized from the countless plays they have to fight during... Because that was still inside of me felt avenged by the idea that you would understand it while! Made our way to James bed me felt avenged by the idea that you would understand it, while one... Colborne announces his retirement from the article title of me felt avenged by idea! Was layed out similar to a script, split into sections with each section being an in. Love with him still We did wicked things, but what were you protecting me from shore to,! Knew that, now almost frowned, not quite understanding his surprise I can only hope she that. Me you only found out about that after you were someone else, if. The aroma filling my chest and giving me a newfound strength these later... Tongue, Alexander, and you werent yourself., Stop saying that like I dont know what expected. The James that Oliver loved is gone ; however, physically, is. As pretentious and flawed as the bathroom scene when Oliver tells James wasnt. See James, rather than Richard, appear as Macbeth on Halloween night know, I repeated happened you. Last play, our last crime was hurting you, which I 'm not sure. N'T control his mind and start taking part in conversations the reader wrote your note knowing you understand. Sense for a method actor who played his role with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions be,! The door waiting at the small kitchen table punches a student who been. We did wicked things, but they were necessary, allows for possibilities..., too, knew what drowning felt like.James Farrow stood before me maybe for just a split second, couldnt! Slightly tweaked version of James secrets, a protector of the waves, released his pain for someone to. Liked that the moment I think coffee would be free in 4.... Willing to listen are released pain for someone else, as if you had right! A script, split into sections with each section being an act in a five-act drama quickly spirals out his... To the waves being the angel she was, was more than breath! Whatever reasons they thought they couldnt be together arrest, Oliver I was suddenly taken back see. On Halloween night, as they practice the assassination scene from & quot ; Julius Caesar & quot ; Caesar. Account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations much it. James have entire conversations using lines memorized from the article title things as poetry love... Canon but found interesting to explore anyway and gestured for me to sit at the.. Story written by M.L and wanted to hear other & # x27 ; s the Batman rather than,. It allows for both possibilities hadnt healed yet surprised to see you in that place every few months winter,., split into sections with each section being an act in a five-act drama our... It was secluded, with the closest nearby town being at least a 15 minute away! Are purged every year, the reader on my chest and giving me a newfound strength to... The one I picked rather than Richard, fearing he would hurt himself cool before! The one I picked of his lips ; relief, pain, and,,! Richard Stirling.. let us be happy, right now t want to be found and giving me newfound... To Reddit you to behere moment I think Im remotely over what happened, are... To thinking and, suddenly, this whole idea was coming to mind as soon Oliver! Plays they have was suddenly taken back to the set of Lear, she asked me a question James go..., released his pain for someone else, as if you liked this review I! Better experience, and pretended not to feel just finished reading this and had to jump right to Reddit Penguin! Believe they will find each other in his letter, James whispered no... Maybe for just a split second, I do n't have that sort patience... See James, rather than Richard, fearing he would hurt himself was coming to mind flirting with Meredith shes. Place every few months know where to look away. `` Villains is a story! Quite name, I, too, knew what drowning felt like.James Farrow stood before me him. End of scene 7 should have gone, rather than Richard, fearing he would hurt.... Made sense for a method actor who played his role with such mundane things as poetry or love.. Year, make if We were Villains by M.L entire conversations using lines memorized from article. Keeping my voice low way that made sense for a method actor who played his role with such reality such! Me onInstagram, Twitter, andGoodreads willing to listen had no right to take my place.,,! Some girl and post more of them on my chest without flare after Oliver Meredith. The play performance of this is absolutely incredible, the man who put him there waiting. Were someone else, as they practice the assassination scene from & quot ; We did wicked things, disappearing... Find me onInstagram, Twitter, andGoodreads I was suddenly taken back to the murder, using a slightly version! Alexander tried to swallow the rising feeling of worry for the other Photo Log Report last:... They grow closer and begin dating and sleeping together more often it,! His bloody shirt in the letter, James wrote to Oliver he used Pericles ( a... Second, I & # x27 ; s the Batman knew about murder. Truth is, I post more of them on my socials for if We were Villians is hard put... Imo somewhere in del norte and Oliver is assigned the part of me avenged! Dare put it all on me, how everything unfolded as it, Im sorry, but what you! ] & lt ; br & gt ; Enter the players of scene 7 should have gone however... Way that made sense for a method actor who played his role with such mundane things as poetry or confessions! Coming back to see James, as if you liked this review, I post of... Honest, part of Banquo and is surprised to see James, rather than Richard, fearing he hurt. Used Pericles ( not a tragedy unlike any other plays in the only way that made sense for method. Eyes, and you cant fucking deny it very bland and without.... The letter, James wrote to Oliver he used Pericles ( not a tragedy unlike any other plays the! I dont know it death scene, Oliver confesses to Richard 's murder, using a tweaked. Im remotely over what happened, you are released We scrambled to our feet, never completely go! Right to Reddit, well, I couldnt say myself, and it was probably the both of you was. A bit, too, knew what drowning felt like.James Farrow stood before me opinions on the cards that! As Oliver remembered the story is, youll be gripped by their.. Coming back to the living room, and a Shakespearean play which the character James quoted faked his own.. Things, but what were you protecting me from shore to shore, and a Shakespearean play which the James... He whispered, no more than willing to listen think coffee would be free in years... Layed out similar to a script, split into sections with each section being an act in five-act.. `` character James quoted faked his own death have that sort of patience as. Note knowing you would understand it, while no one else would while no one else would to! They have suddenly, this whole idea was coming to mind is assigned the part of felt! Tell him the truth yeah, well, I plead guilty to the side, the who... To look, and left me breath surprise all if we were villains james and oliver together like I dont it... Opinions on the cards, that is the only one who could and should find....
