Strindberg: Five Plays
by August Strindberg
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Book Summary Information
Author: August StrindbergIntroduction: Harry G. Carlson
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1983-07-21
ISBN: 0520046986
Number of pages: 297
Publisher: University of California Press
Book Reviews of Strindberg: Five Plays
Book Review: "Since dreams are more often painful than happy..."
Summary: 5 Stars
In the author's introduction to "A Dream Play", Strindberg focuses on what he sees as the real nature of dreams-- disconnected and painful, with their own strange logic. I think he captures something of that feeling in all of the five plays in this collection, even given that some of his plays come more explicitly from his symbolic works.
In this collection, the reader is presented with the classic Strindberg themes-- the emancipated woman, rebellion, religious symbolism, and always in every way the search for meaning.
"The Father" pits a man and woman against each other in a destructive effort to control their daughter's destiny.
"Miss Julie" depicts the seduction and discard of a silly young girl who is harshly confronted with the basic coldness of life.
"Dance of Death" is a grim look at a marriage based on hatred, as an ex-actress and an army captain are stuck together on an isolated island.
In "A Dream Play" Indra's daughter is sent to earth to live as best as she can among mortals.
"The Ghost Sonata" explores dream logic in three movements. A meditation on the difference between just and proper.
A decent translation, at least I did not trip over it as awkward. A sad and dislocating book to read. There is a debate to be had about whether plays in general are worth reading as literature, or whether they need to be seen as performance. I would argue that these plays are both a joy to read and a joy to see.
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