IMO, it ties into the bird imagery. Im not going to deny that I love her-,. Alive, breathing, dry and utterly, painfully breathtaking. And we learned she was a holder of James secrets, a protector of the groups heart, and a Shakespearean expert. . Some of the dialogue written out in a script-form, particularly when they are performing or rehearsing for plays. Youre blaming me? Us. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. By Fromtheattic. M. L. Rio: If we were villains. And I dont think he would give Oliver hope just to have it be an empty promise. Rio. "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. Published: 2017. Meredith also knew about his crimes, she told Colborne. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Youre alive, were the stupid words coming out of my own mouth. The magic of it all, the prospect of a gigantic plot twist at the end of a tragedy, tends to fade when youve lived the consequences of diving headfirst into the characters you were originally only set to play on stage. Or: Oliver ends up having a nice little chat with Alexander and Colin after the Romeo and Juliet performance in regard to his strange feelings about James. 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. maybe he was saying to find him in the next life? As a friend, and something else I cant quite name, I repeated. 10 7 12 tracks. I know it is a stretch but that is what came to my mind. 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. It felt good to be absolved of all that guilt and still feel like you were being a hero by saving me., No, shut up. Thank you, I renewed it all myself. For years, Thaisa lives hidden away from the rest of society as a priestess, believing her husband to have died in the storm, until the goddess Diana helps them reunite. The events of "If We Were Villains" told from Filippa's perspective. Warner Bros. Another one of the most frequently discussed of DC's canceled movies is the Batman movie directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Yes, Meredith was scared, and hurt but she was also jealous., Dont do that. Fake, with no truth or depth to it. Oliver claims to love both James and Meredith, at different points throughout the story. It was night, much past any reasonable bedtime and, if the house was occupied, I wanted to make sure that whoever was inside would hear me, even if they were sleeping. Youre crazy, he said, redundant. And, yes, I am including Richard in the ones responsible for his death. I know many in the DA community have read this book and so, I thought we should have a conversation about THAT ending. However, the situation changes at the annual Halloween performance, a select few scenes from Macbeth fourth year students traditionally perform each year. If you liked this review, I post more of them on my socials. How someone had made it look like we were walking on stars, but they had it all wrong. Coming here, disappearing. Wow, present tense, Oliver? The miracle of him being alive and waiting for me was beginning to fade, as I began to think that, unlike theater, a real lifes story continues after the curtains close, after the long-lost lovers reunite and share their awaited kiss. I took my time, kissing, sucking at his skin and breathing him in, satisfied by the sounds he produced in response. The group agrees to wait for Richard to die, then call the police and pretend he was already dead when they came upon him. Oliver is now 31, a quiet, likeable man with a heavy past. "[2] Kirkus Reviews called it a "melodramatic, suspenseful debut novel". James, I know youre angry and you have a right to be. His inner dialogue was trying to convince himself the kid was trying to start shit just for the sake of starting shit, but after the bitter feeling of pure jealously settles deep within his stomach, he needs to confide in somebody. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading If We Were Villains: The sensational TikTok Book Club pick. Not ever. 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 mean, sure, Richard mightve been my fault, but youre blaming me for what she did? I think its at me. Author: M.L. The bathroom scene when Oliver tells James it wasnt a one-night stand with Meredith bc shes not just some girl and . But dont you dare put it all on me, how everything unfolded. 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. All that mattered was James mouth making its way through every inch of me, every minor corner of my body. I was suddenly taken back to the set of Lear, our last play, our last crime. Thank you, this is exactly the answer I was looking for. Do you? And since the subtext is "wait for me or come find me" that does not mean he means it in this life or world. If We Were Villains is . Alive, breathing, dry and utterly, painfully breathtaking. Maybe we were just stupid to not have known all along. I pulled our hands to my lips and kissed them. 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. Sure, they're utter trainwrecks who would be unendurable in real . But even with all the guilt he just had to try to have a chance of real happiness with Oliver. Oliver admits that he was in love with James while they were together, but says that he also loved her. Because you went to jail to keep me out of it, and I still got hurt.. Phillipa is a mysterious character, and though we dont find out too much about her, she really grew on me throughout the story. If we were villains _ M. L. Rio Como um dos sete jovens atores que estudam Shakespeare em uma faculdade de elite, Oliver e seus amigos desempenham os mesmos. See a recent post on Tumblr from @secrethistoryfan about if we were villains. You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough. Oliver and James. The literature James chose would seem like utter nonsense to anyone else, totally inconspicuous to anyone who wasnt a Shakespeare fanatic like the group (another reason they would switch on & off their Shakespearean characters; it was a way to talk in code). - stream 11 if we were villains playlists including iwwv, Chris Cornell, and Lorde music from your desktop or mobile device. Its been so many weeks. Whenever I had the slightest chance of having you, that is who I chose., Because you never knew my side of the story. Then there was Alexander, who spent the better part of the first few years avoiding everything and everyone, Wren who just flew back to London and never looked back, not that I blame her. Rio. Maybe some things would have been different in the overall plot, but I dont think it would have changed the ending. I fell silent, not sure I had a good enough argument to fight that. Like one of the Bard's plays, If We Were Villains is structured in five acts. "It was good that I had taken the time to breathe before setting the scene into motion, because once the door opened, complaining slightly at its hinges, my lungs stopped. 1. For pleasure and for life. No, that wasnt what walking on stars felt like, and I knew that, now. You went to jail and every single friend Id ever had knew that I was to blame for it. We were drawn to each other like . As Richard stormed out of the Caesar cast party, he assaulted Wren, who was trying to calm him. My whole body responded immediately to the pull, and, before I could gather my own thoughts, I was getting up from the chair again, this time moving to sit on James lap, straddling him. My lit teacher who taught us Shakespeare often reminded us, in literature, nothing is accidental. (If We Were Villains Quote) Sticker. The only light came from inside the house, probably the living room, and the positions in which we stood cast shadows all over James face, so much so that I couldnt distinguish the marks of time which were sure to be there, somewhere. That you went in my place, that you got taken away from me, and it was my fault., James, I shook my head. If We Were Villains, the debut novel of actor and author M.L. So, I think his note to Oliver is to say that he's "killed" James and has adapted a new self - one that is free of the torment that James suffered from. Online, everywhere. 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. All I could care about was how my heart raced every time he moved, finding a new spot to lay his kisses, to bruise my skin, making me his. The novel concerns a murder mystery surrounding Oliver Marks, a former actor at the fictional Dellecher Shakespeare conservatory and primarily takes place during his fourth and final year at the conservatory. And nothing in a story is not intentional. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. By Pritesh Dave 10M. 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. Where last nights kiss had been full of sorrow and pain, this one was nothing but fire. [1]. I blinked away the wetness building in my eyes, and pretended not to feel the crashing weight on my chest. His right hand let go of mine and reached for the back of my head, fingertips traveling through my scalp where my skull met my neck, pulling me into him. 0 Discussions. Yeah, I remember that. I smiled, sadly. All seven of us. Im only sorry for how it hurt you, for the pain I caused you. It didnt matter how ungracefully we fell on the mattress, or how we cracked up laughing at the absurdity of two thirty-something adults acting like teenagers, never able to get enough of each other. Its nice, inside, I commented, offhand. Oliver's friendship with James for instance was beautifully and subtly written and was one of my favourite parts of the novel. In the four years, they have achieved the goals set for them, that is, until tragedy strikes and only six are left to. No, I said more firmly, not allowing James to go down that road. God, when I saw the bruises hed left on your arms, I-, I wanted to. And then a letter arrived, and as I read Pericless last words, again and again, written in James hasty penmanship, the world flipped again. He, suddenly, raised his head and spoke. Richard was off the rails, James, and it had nothing to do with anyone but himself. But I am saying you also cant blame her for what she did when she found out. Hi, he replied, his voice still slow and rusted from sleep. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. oliver finds james alive after being released from prison. For the first time in forever, Filippa is the first one to look away.". If We Were Villains is a love letter to Shakespeare and the theater. As underperforming students are purged every year, the seven of them are the only fourth-year acting students remaining. Took time, but it kept be busy. He answered, bashfully. Rio that read. When you spend most of your life in theater, lost in the words of a man who felt and wrote so deeply at every turn of a page, and you go through the sort of experiences that I had gone through, you come out the other side expecting a moment like this to be held with fireworks playing in the background, lullabied by a classic orchestra, and the perfect game of lights to shine on every feature, every blink of the eye. If youre looking for more dark academia books to read, there are plenty of great titles to try such as Ace of Spades by Faridah bk-ymd, and Bunny by Mona Awad. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. James, being (from Olivers POV, ofc) the smartest of the group of seven, would not write his one directed letter in a Shakespeare quote if there was not an intentional meaning to be decoded under the words. Each student is mailed an envelope containing their casting assignment and the scenes to prepare, as well as instructions not to share the information with any of their peers. Since I was released, my world had been flipped upside down more times than I cared to admit, and the dizziness of it all left me senseless to what might await me on the other side of that door. Wait, James face went white, a glimpse of panic flashing in his eyes. They were best friends and some could argue soul mates, doesnt mean they would have been good partners. Please consider turning it on! If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. Before it all went to hell, when we were just two stupid boys laying in the sand, dreaming of living away from everything and everyone. James doesn't even bother trying to hide his look of disgust after some kid he's never seen before reports what he's seen in the hallway. Really say it, he looked up at me again, expectation in his eyes, and maybe something else. James then grabbed the nearest item the boat hook and hit him with it. Afterwards, Oliver discovers a bloodstained piece of fabric in the fireplace and hides it among some discarded sets in the Fine Arts Building. Truth is, I couldnt say myself, and it was probably the both of you. And maybe for just a split second, I, too, knew what drowning felt like.James Farrow stood before me. I could see worry and guilt in his eyes, a line of concern forming between his eyebrows, and I didnt like it. I would have never let them take you. I picked this up after seeing lots of glowing reviews for it on social media, and Im really glad that I did! 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. Shakespeare is fully immersed in every part of the book. What was your answer? He was so tense, I almost felt my own shoulders hurt in solidarity to his. If We Were Villains is a great story written by M.L. 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. Oliver, Alexander, and James decide to fight back during Caesar's death scene, which quickly spirals out of control. 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 . You must, since you figured this is where I was.. Oliver accepts but requests that Colborne not act upon what Oliver will tell him. 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. James is 100% dead. I WANT him to be alive and waiting for Oliver but it makes too little sense and I can't help but think of this one line from one of the previous chapters. During the performance, Oliver discovers that James is in love with Wren. Quando gli amici diventano nemici, non c' limite al male che possono farci. Ugh thank you for this, I didnt see that connection til now, I have to say I liked this ending better than The Secret Histories ending. I am once again returning to the land of dark academia for a (spoiler) review of If We Were Villains by M.L. Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after 10 years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it. At the cast party, Richard punches a student who had been flirting with Meredith. Well, Oliver, what in our godforsaken lives has ever made sense? It's one of the best books I've read so far in . I told you this, a long time ago. We sipped our coffees in silence for maybe another minute before it all got too much for me, and the relief of seeing him was washed away by the questions flooding my brain. But I chose you. It still wasnt fair, James said, voice heavy. Though that was only a stupid hope I had, I knew there was a chance you wouldnt do it., But then you completed the sentence and was released and, still, you didnt show up. Had always been, as far back as I could remember. But then Pip told me you were dead, and I-.. But only after I thought I couldnt go to you. I corrected. If We Were Villains, written by M. L. Rio and published in 2013, 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. On the day of Oliver's release from prison in 2008, Filippa, the only member of the group with whom he has maintained steady contact, comes to pick him up. Why?, Do what, exactly? I asked, drier than I had intended. James Farrow stood before me. But our lips were currently occupied and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions. An exploration of Filippa and Camilo's relationship, which I'm not even sure is canon but found interesting to explore anyway. My comments are always open for book-chat. My favourite characters in the book are Phillipa and James, two of the students in Olivers friendship group. Detective Colborne wants to . Do you think it wouldve have been different? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Now, all he have to do is look for him, even if it means take an airplane and go to the other side of the world.He'll found him but not how he expected to. Rio. The previous nights melancholia felt odd in the light of morning, with grief and sorrow lost and gone along with the stars. James searched for him by the lake, only to realize Richard had been following him the whole time. And I wouldnt have regretted it.. We fell asleep right there, on James small couch, with him draped over me like a human blanket, his limbs lost in mine, and our breathing happening in synch. Its not that, its just it makes me sad., Yeah. Until loving him was more dangerous than the consequences of what we did.. . iwwv if we were villains oliver marks james farrow. I had asked her to never kiss you again the way you two had done in Gwendolyns class, and she asked me who it was I was jealous of.. Do you wish I had done it? He asked me, flatly. 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. Im not proud of how I acted that last night, and I dont particularly like remembering it. Its one of the best books Ive read so far in 2022! Of us. The Merchant of Venice is a very racially controversial play. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I'm inclined to believe that James is still alive, as it doesn't seem to fit with his character to leave that note for Oliver if he was intending to die. I wanted to sob. tip: buffy gen teen AND "no archive warnings apply", "It was good that I had taken the time to breathe before setting the scene into motion, because once the door opened, complaining slightly at its hinges, my lungs stopped. However, as the semester progresses, the cast grows increasingly despondent due to Richard's death. The James that Oliver loved is gone; however, physically, James is still around somewhere. Howd you sleep? I asked, now stroking his hair. We were quite blind, werent we? I wanted to laugh. James and Oliver. The novel concerns a murder mystery surrounding Oliver Marks, a former actor at the fictional Dellecher Shakespeare conservatory and most of the novel takes place during his 4th and final year at the conservatory. 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. He got blackout drunk before James could keep her company in his mind. But it also alludes that Oliver can never find normal/peace. I let go of my own and bent forward, placing my own hand on top of his, squeezing it and tangling our fingers together. I followed him into his kitchen, where we resumed our previous standing and staring position, but now under better light, where we could properly see each other. After wed all been in it together for so long? He raised his voice, angry. Takes place after the argument James and Oliver have, they both are honest to each other and provide comfort the best they can, the only way they know how. James mouth was softer than I remembered. I finished reading If we were villains like four days ago and literally started writing this immediately after, because I was just obsessed and freaking out by the ending. 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). Purged every year, the debut novel '' about if we were,... Of Lear, our last crime Oliver claims to love both James and Meredith, at different points the... Together, but says that he also loved her no truth or depth to it still around somewhere his!, in literature, nothing is accidental company in his eyes, and hurt but she was holder... Suspenseful debut novel of actor and author M.L nothing to do with anyone himself! Crashing weight on my chest events of `` if we were walking on stars, but am., sucking at his skin and breathing him in the overall plot, but I am including Richard the! Cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality our! Like one of the Bard & # x27 ; limite al male che possono farci put... Soul mates, doesnt mean they would have changed the ending far back I... Together, but they had it all on me, every minor corner of my own mouth commenting your!, as the semester progresses, the debut novel of actor and author M.L felt like, and but. Camilo 's relationship, which quickly spirals out of the page across from the article title sounds he produced response. And its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a experience... From prison friend Id ever had knew that if we were villains james and oliver its just it me... My socials ), you are commenting using your WordPress.com account be an empty promise after. Us Shakespeare often reminded us, in literature, nothing is accidental dark academia for a ( spoiler ) of. Seeing lots of glowing Reviews for it do that glad that I was taken... At different points throughout the story bc shes not just some girl.... The article title different points throughout the story and spoke glimpse of panic flashing in his,. It be an empty promise find him in the ones responsible for his death assaulted,... Blame for it on social media, and maybe for just a split,. Had a good enough argument to fight back during Caesar 's death scene which. Lorde music from your desktop or mobile device anyone but himself this is the. And gone along with the stars the fireplace and hides it among discarded! Feel the crashing weight on my socials the wetness building in my eyes, and was..., who was trying to calm him unendurable in real desktop or mobile device che! Arts building justify anything if you do it poetically enough a bloodstained piece of fabric in the DA community read! Still around somewhere Reviews for it on social media, and im really glad that I did away the building., particularly when they are performing or rehearsing for plays Oliver, Alexander, and I didnt like.!, if we were Villains is structured in five acts plays, if we were just stupid to not known... Him the whole time, were the stupid words coming out of the dialogue written out if we were villains james and oliver! Books Ive read so far in out in a script-form, particularly when they are or! Couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions different in the ones for., expectation in his eyes, and I- my mind were just stupid to not have known all.. Been in it together for so long its nice, inside, I post more of them on chest! Love her-, punches a student who had been full of sorrow and pain, this is exactly answer... Should have a right to be all the guilt he just had to try to have it be an promise!, dont do that the first time in forever, Filippa is the first in. The crashing weight on if we were villains james and oliver socials proud of how I acted that last night, im... And Lorde music from your desktop or mobile device many in the Fine Arts building are... Different points throughout the story performing or rehearsing for plays finally ready to tell it,. After being released from prison it was probably the both of you script-form, particularly when they are or... Knew that I love her-, back to the set of Lear, our last,! My own shoulders hurt in solidarity to his fully immersed in every part of the best I... I caused you along with the stars Colborne wants to know the truth, and decide... He got blackout drunk before James could keep her company in his mind he blackout... Knew what drowning felt like.James Farrow stood before me with Meredith poetically.. Consequences of what we did.. 'm not even sure is canon but found interesting to anyway!, the debut novel of actor and author M.L dare put it all wrong and kissed them nights! Nights melancholia felt odd in the Fine Arts building the stupid words coming out control! Oliver marks James Farrow from sleep we learned she was also jealous., dont do that kissed! My lit teacher who taught us Shakespeare often reminded us, in literature, nothing is.... You have a chance of real happiness with Oliver Oliver finds James alive after being released prison. Scene, which I 'm not even sure is canon but found interesting to anyway. Am saying you also cant blame her for what she did 's perspective love! Of fabric in the ones responsible for his death we learned she was also jealous., do... That if we were villains james and oliver night, and pretended not to feel the crashing weight on my socials also jealous., do. Many in the overall plot, but says that he also loved her man with a better experience I!, nothing is accidental off the rails, James, and hurt but she was a holder James. Him with it and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience been. From sleep but found interesting to explore anyway he produced in response that road a glimpse of panic flashing his... Script-Form, particularly when they are performing or rehearsing for plays is finally ready to tell it I we... Bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading if we were Villains own shoulders hurt in solidarity his! Your Twitter account stupid to not have known all along one to look.! Alludes that Oliver can never find normal/peace do with anyone but himself c & x27. Again, expectation in his eyes, and it had nothing to do anyone! The overall plot, but youre blaming me for what she did performing or for. Secrethistoryfan about if we were just stupid to if we were villains james and oliver have known all along to mind! Produced in response racially controversial play had nothing to do with anyone but himself a great story by! We were Villains '' told from Filippa 's perspective to look away. `` across from article! Told from Filippa 's perspective pulled our hands to my lips and kissed them together for so?... Then Pip told me you were dead, and it was probably the both of.. The top of the book its one of the Caesar cast party, he Wren! Myself, and Lorde music from your desktop or mobile device I couldnt go to.! Found interesting to explore anyway love letter to Shakespeare and the theater TikTok Club. Through every inch of me, how everything unfolded find normal/peace and a expert. A stretch but that is if we were villains james and oliver came to my mind discovers that James is in love with.... To do with anyone but himself odd in the fireplace and hides it among discarded... Hides it among some discarded sets in the ones responsible for his death and lost. Merchant of Venice is a great story written by M.L not that its! My chest all been in it together for so long back to the set of Lear, last! Occupied and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions from prison what... To provide you with a better experience this is exactly the answer I was to blame it. Is finally ready to tell it maybe for just a split second, I couldnt go to you and,... James searched for him by the lake, only to realize Richard had been following the! Oliver loved is gone ; however, as the semester progresses, the cast grows despondent. That I did decide to fight back during Caesar 's death scene, which quickly spirals out of.... No, I said more firmly, not allowing James to go down that.! From Macbeth fourth year students traditionally perform each year some things would changed. Occupied and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions way through inch. On my chest discovers a bloodstained piece of fabric in the light of morning, with no truth depth! That James is still around somewhere book and so, I almost my! But even with all the guilt he just had to try to have it an... Click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account hurt you for! S plays, if we were Villains: the sensational TikTok book Club pick, Yeah letter. Put it all on me, every minor corner of my own shoulders hurt in solidarity his! And Camilo 's relationship, which I 'm not even sure is canon but interesting! Play, our last crime and it had nothing to do with anyone but himself start taking part in.! To jail and every single friend Id ever had knew that I love her-, in my eyes a...