Arcadia: A Play by Tom Stoppard Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Arcadia: A Play
Book Review: Captivating, Dizzying
Summary: 5 Stars
An intellectual feast and a deeply moving story all at once. Stoppard explores the natures of heat and passion in Sidley Park, where a pedantic don attempts to prove the unprovable and past and present mirror one another on stage. Excellent character development, usually a weakness in Stoppard's plays. Excellent dialogue as always, strikingly witty.Book Review: Close, but no cigar
Summary: 3 Stars
It was an interesting premise as far as the weaving in and out of time was concerned. What interested me the most was the philosophical musings on the nature of the universe as it relates to the field of mathematics. It was a quick read, but in the end I felt unsatisfied with the plot resolution (lack of) and the character development.Book Review: Entertaining, Intellectual Enjoyment
Summary: 4 Stars
Tom Stoppard's famous play Arcadia takes place in the same English country estate across two eras: the early Nineteenth Century and the present day. The story divides between Thomasina, the owner's young daughter and her tutor Septimus, and the academics Hannah and Bernard, investigating a possible scandal caused by Lord Byron when he stayed there. The present-day researchers discover, among other things, Thomasina's mathematical gifts, the rise of the picturesque in landscaping, and the Romantic temperament, especially concerning love.
This is an extremely funny play, starting with Thomasina's opening line, "Septimus, what is carnal embrace?". At the same time, it also teaches us about science, math, and literature. It moves seamlessly between the two time periods, and gives all the information we need to understand the various topics in entertaining ways. It is a joy to read.
Book Review: Genius with a heart
Summary: 5 Stars
Some may criticise Stoppard for being 'all brains with no heart', but with Arcadia he has proved his critics wrong. This is an extraordinary play, for not only does it deal expertly with scientific issues, but it manages to be brilliantly funny and poignant. The final scene in particular with Septimus and Thomasina is undeniably tragic (I won't give away any more than that!)and thought-provoking, yet at no point does the play fall victim to over-sentimentality. Almost as good to read as it is to perform, Arcadia is without doubt Stoppard's masterpiece - which says a great deal considering the strength of many of his other works. In short, Arcadia is a play of fascinating ideas, combined with all the ingredients of great entertainment.Book Review: HSC student review
Summary: 5 Stars
i am studying this play for costume design in my final year at school and i am just overwhelmed at the intellegence of tom stoppard to write a play this involved with so many different issues at the same time. The sexual tension, philosophy, social values and interactions are so closly linked with every word said in this play, that the reader must read it over and over because it is so good.