'Night Mother.
by Marsha Norman, Marsha Norman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Marsha NormanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-01
ISBN: 0822208210
Number of pages: 72
Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Book Reviews of 'Night Mother.
Book Review: 'Day, Mother
Summary: 5 Stars
My mother called. She is an actress in the national theater in Izmir, Turkey. This is her last year before retirement after 40 years of service. The theater had asked her what play she would like to play. She told them to surprise her. She got `Night Mother by Marsha Norman in the role of Mama. She seemed excited on the phone and I was very happy for her. I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a copy of the English version. We both read the play and started a discussion. I completely agree with her that this is one of the finest plays ever written.
This play takes place in a few hours of a forty-something Jessie and her mother, whom we know as `Mama'. Jessie has had a rough life: a long time epileptic, which has subsided for the past year thanks to better medication; a troubled son, who keeps stealing from her; a divorce; her father had ended his life, but not before writing a simple good-by message: Gone Fishing; and a mother who has emotionally been distant--if not physically--yet demanding of her to take care of the house they were sharing.
Jessie had had enough and she was now declaring, right off the bat as the play starts, her nonchalant determination to die with her father's gun. The dialogue is Jessie's way to make it `easier' on her mother for what is about to happen. Needless to say the mother goes through an emotional roller coaster ride. At times the play is funny, and other times tragic.
Be yourself, I said to my mother. Funny how her last role would resemble so much of herself. I am, thankfully, a bit luckier than Jessie that I still can find enjoyment in life.
A few weeks later my mother and I talked again. She apparently had given up on the play because it was raising her blood pressure. I told her she made a good decision.
There are seven hours in time difference between here and there. Difference of day and night.
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