I completed reading this book this morning.

These three plays left an indelible impression on me, ranking among the finest I have ever perused. I would even assert that Rhinoceros is the very best play I have ever encountered. It is beautiful in an odd, almost surreal manner, yet also absurd. It is both lively and charming, while simultaneously menacing and brutal. The protagonist, Berenger, is naïve, easily deceived, and incompetent, but those around him are equally powerless in the face of the extremely strange events that unfold. People begin transforming into rhinos. The life of a small French town is severely disrupted, and then even world civilization succumbs. The conclusion of the play is simply flawless. Romance is definitely not a lifeboat that Berenger and Daisy can utilize to escape the collapse of all normal values. It simply lacks the necessary strength.

The Chairs is also astonishingly excellent. It is the best post-apocalyptic work I have ever read, surpassing even Beckett and Ballard. It has a relentless pace, a ludicrous comedic undertone running through it, and a profound sadness at its core. As for The Lesson, it truly is a lesson, a lesson in absurd menace that is a remarkable black comedy. The dialogue is brilliant, monstrous, completely deranged, and yet poetic. Ionesco was indeed one of the true greats of the 20th Century.

Daring questions to ask in a play at the end of the 50s.

If all your friends turned into Rhinoceros, would you? This strange and thought-provoking question challenges our sense of identity and loyalty. It makes us wonder if we would conform to the absurd transformation or stand firm in our individuality.

When you die, they give you an eulogy to talk about your life. But when you are alive, what is it called? An apology? This question blurs the line between life and death, and forces us to consider the value and meaning of our actions while we are still here.

If you had four students and you kill three of them, how do you know which one is going to #MeToo you? This dark and disturbing question touches on themes of power, abuse, and justice. It shows the absurdity and cruelty that can exist in our society.

Those may seem like attempts at being witty but I'm not sure they get at the giddyness and slight nastyness that I feel from some absurdists. Funny, yes. Humane, maybe not so much. Human, definitely. These questions may make us laugh, but they also make us think about the darker side of human nature. They remind us that life is full of absurdities and contradictions, and that we must learn to navigate them with both humor and compassion.

Couldn't find the edition I read on here.

It's really quite frustrating. I've been searching high and low, hoping to come across that particular edition that I had once read.

Maybe it's hidden among the countless other books and editions, waiting to be discovered. But for now, it seems to be eluding my efforts.

I keep thinking about that edition and the unique qualities it had. It might have had a special cover design, or perhaps the排版 was different, making it stand out.

I'm not giving up though. I'll continue to explore this place, determined to find that edition and relive the experience of reading it.

Who knows, maybe it'll turn up in the most unexpected of places. Until then, I'll keep my eyes open and my hopes high.

Rhinoceros: Loved it!

This play truly captivated my attention from start to finish. The unique storyline and the way the characters developed made it an absolute joy to experience.

The Chairs: No. I don't want to talk about it.

For some reason, this particular work just didn't resonate with me. Maybe it was the concept or the execution, but it left me feeling rather indifferent.

The Lesson: Wtf was that (affectionate)?

Now, this one was a real head-scratcher. It was so strange and yet, in a way, oddly charming. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, but it definitely made an impression.

(Excluding chairs from my rating)

Overall, while The Chairs didn't do it for me, Rhinoceros and The Lesson both had their own unique qualities that made them worth considering. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly I thought of The Lesson, but that's part of the fun of experiencing new and different works of art.

No way again will I pick up this book again. It was dreadful to read. The plot seemed to drag on and on, and the characters lacked depth and development. I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to keep going.

In contrast, the play based on this book was 10 times better. The actors brought the characters to life in a way that the written form simply couldn't. The stage setting and lighting added to the overall atmosphere and made the story much more engaging.

I would highly recommend seeing the play instead of reading the book. It's a completely different experience and one that I think you'll enjoy much more. Don't waste your time with the written version - go see the play!

This particular work by Ionesco is not my absolute favorite.

However, it still has its own merits and qualities that make it a good piece.

The play may not have immediately captured my heart and soul like some of his other works, but it does offer interesting insights and moments.

The characters are well-developed and their interactions add depth to the story.

The themes explored are also thought-provoking, making the audience reflect on various aspects of life and human nature.

Although it may not be at the top of my list of favorite Ionesco pieces, it is still a worthwhile addition to his body of work and one that I can appreciate for its own unique qualities.

Overall, while it may not be my personal favorite, it is still a good play that showcases Ionesco's talent as a playwright.

Get in the bin, post-ww2 anti-logic absurdist existentialism.

This rather cryptic and somewhat provocative statement seems to encapsulate the essence of a particular philosophical and artistic movement that emerged in the aftermath of World War II. Anti-logic, as the term implies, challenges the traditional notions of rationality and coherence. It rejects the idea that everything must conform to a strict logical framework.

Absurdist existentialism takes this a step further, exploring the inherent meaninglessness and absurdity of human existence. It questions the purpose and value of life in a world that often seems chaotic and senseless.

This movement found expression in various art forms, such as literature, theater, and visual arts. Works of art that embraced this philosophy often presented荒诞 and surreal scenarios, highlighting the contradictions and paradoxes of human experience.

In conclusion, the phrase "Get in the bin, post-ww2 anti-logic absurdist existentialism" serves as a reminder of the powerful and influential ideas that emerged during this period, challenging our assumptions and forcing us to confront the uncomfortable truths about our existence.

I truly despise reading plays. However, this particular one was not only extremely funny but also highly thought-provoking. It managed to capture my attention in a way that I never expected. Despite the fact that I didn't have a great passion for reading it initially, I now find myself excited to watch it.

The humor in the play was so engaging that it made me laugh out loud several times. It had a unique charm that drew me in and made me forget about my initial aversion to reading plays. At the same time, the thought-provoking aspects made me stop and reflect on various themes and ideas.

I can't wait to see how the play comes to life on stage. I'm sure that the actors will bring the characters and the story to a whole new level. Watching it will give me a different perspective and allow me to fully appreciate the work that went into creating it.

Rhinoceros / The Chairs / The Lesson by Eugène Ionesco is a compilation of three short stories.

The first story is about the world accepting their inner animality. It delves into the idea that within each of us lies a primitive and animalistic side that society often tries to suppress.

The second one talks about an old man and woman dwelling in a repetitive present and an inaccessible past. Their lives are trapped in a cycle of routine, and they are unable to break free and move forward.

Whilst, the third one focuses on the psychological and social elements of a dominant-weak dynamic. It explores how power and control can shape relationships and have a profound impact on individuals.

These three stories offer unique perspectives on different aspects of the human condition, challenging readers to think deeply about their own lives and the world around them.

I was both confused and amused by these three absurd dramas.

It might take me some practice to fully appreciate this type of writing, but I think this was a great starting point.

The stories were easy to follow, although at times I had the sense that there was something I wasn't quite understanding.

Nevertheless, I found the experience enjoyable.

The absurdity added an element of fun and made me think in different ways.

I look forward to exploring more of this kind of writing and seeing how my understanding and appreciation grow.

Maybe with more exposure, I'll be able to pick up on the subtleties that I missed this time around.

Overall, it was a positive experience that left me eager for more.

Aizķēra tikai brīžiem, taču pamatīgi. It means it stops only for a few moments, but firmly.

The rest of the time it is rather more often empty. Something with the caption doesn't seem quite right - except for "The Lesson", which is actually a normal Monty Python sketch.

Perhaps there are some hidden meanings or subtleties in these captions that we haven't fully grasped yet. Maybe "The Lesson" stands out as a sort of exception because it follows a more traditional or recognizable pattern within the Monty Python style.

It could be that the other captions are故意designed to be a bit more cryptic or to play with our expectations. Or perhaps there is simply some randomness at play here.

Whatever the case may be, it's interesting to analyze and think about these captions and how they contribute to the overall atmosphere or message of the piece.

These three plays from one of the founding fathers of the theatre of absurd truly do conform to that description.

Tragedy and a touch of (rather dark) humor intertwine within them, causing you to wonder about the possible real-life themes they might be addressing.

The latter two are one-act plays and are slightly older than Rhinoceros. Each play comes with details about its first performances in Paris and London, along with the actor list. Additionally, there is information regarding stage sets, objects, clothes, and possible appearances of the actors.

I believe the first one, Rhinoceros, is the most powerful (its first London production was by Orson Welles). Berenger's confusion, fear, defiance, and loneliness are somewhat heart-wrenching to witness, yet it's also fascinating to observe how the other characters in the play respond to the rhinos. You may find yourself asking what prevents Berenger from changing like everyone else: is it his state of mind, his values, or perhaps his drinking? And what could be the real-life equivalents of the rhinos and their chaos, as well as Berenger? It's truly powerful.

The Chairs leaves me contemplating loneliness, what is real or imagined in the story, why the old couple is in their current situation, and why they are doing what they are doing. Does the world exist beyond their island? Are the people who come there even still alive, considering the advanced age of the couple? And the third character - the orator - why is he there and who is he? There are many questions left unanswered, along with a sense of sadness.

Finally, The Lesson, which I felt was perhaps the darkest. Why is the professor the way he is, and why do the pupils continue to come? Has no one noticed the strange disappearances? Why does the maid stay (does she gain a sense of dominance when the professor is 'good'?)? And why is the 18-year-old pupil so bad at math? Why does the professor discuss philology with her (at least some of what he says seems like nonsense to me), which she can't be familiar with at all? And then there's the end of the lesson, with another dead pupil to be placed in coffin #40... How can the professor have already killed 39 that day... and how long has this been going on? Won't they run out of pupils soon?

Yes, these plays fill me with questions and make me think about real-life matters. I think Rhinoceros is the one I might reread several times in the future, while the other two are good to experience once, not necessarily more. Nevertheless, all are worthwhile and it's great to envision how they might look when performed on stage. It's a very interesting reading experience.