How long does it take to read Venus?
a play
Venus by Suzan-Lori Parks takes about 3 hours 5 minutes to read at 250 words a minute.
About 3 hours 5 minutes
A weekend read
First published 1995. 168 pages, about 46,200 words.
7 days at 30 minutes a day
Estimate based on 275 words per page.
At other speeds
| Slow, 150 words a minute | 5 hours 8 minutes |
| Average, 250 words a minute | 3 hours 5 minutes |
| Fast, 400 words a minute | 1 hour 56 minutes |
The page count is the median across 5 editions, so your copy may differ. How we calculate.
About the book
In 1810, The Venus Hottentot (as she is dubbed) -- a young black woman with an enormous posterior -- is lured away from her menial job in South Africa to tour the world and make lots of money. Once in England, however, she is sold to a freak show and becomes a star. She shows off her attribute, bringing in crowds and raking in money for the side show owners. Quickly becoming adept at displaying herself and understanding what the people want from her as a freak, she even tries to break out on her own, but can't quite master that is those social times. Eventually, she is procured by a white doctor who is more than fascinated with her. He falls in love with her and keeps her as his mistress until he is in danger of losing his medical reputation and social standing. Venus, who journeyed to Europe with high hopes, at the end of her short life, was dissected by the man she loved.
Subjects: Drama, American drama
