Naked Masks is a remarkable collection of five plays penned by Luigi Pirandello, spanning his career from 1916 to 1924 and presented roughly in the order of their publication. It features the play Six Characters in Search of an Author, which I was most acquainted with and which piqued my interest in the collection. I was also curious if there were any other dramatic works, aside from Shakespeare's, that would captivate me. For those who loathe long reviews and prefer to get to the point, I'll state upfront that I found Naked Masks to be an outstanding introduction to an author and his works that I had misjudged severely. I highly recommend it to those interested in 20th Century theater, as well as works that explore the nature of reality and perception.

In his introduction from 1952, Eric Bentley briefly touches on Pirandello's reputation at that time. He writes, 'I have met persons who rejected (Pirandello) because of his 'tiresome ideas' without being able to give me even their own version of what these ideas are.' This is a bit harsher than I would like, but it effectively describes my preconceived notions about Pirandello. These notions, formed when I was young and inexperienced, were never truly revisited or revised. Growing up in the Midwest, I had, through cultural osmosis, developed a deep distrust for certain types of art that I suspected were designed solely to mock those like me. The very title Six Characters in Search of an Author seemed to epitomize that kind of art. In my mind, I imagined an elitist snobbery behind such a play, with its enjoyment reserved for a particular stratum and going over the heads of the uninitiated. So, I rejected it to avoid being ridiculed.

Now, this is perhaps too much personal information for a book review, but it happens to closely parallel the themes in these plays that resonated with me the most - the nature of people's perception of things and the reality of those things. More explicitly, people's perception of things is reality for them. In the first three plays in this collection, the characters are constantly faced with alternating versions of what is real, often contradictory and overlapping. In the final two plays, Pirandello exploits the conventions of the theater to shift that uncertainty from the cast to the audience. Is it always successful? Well, reading a play rather than watching it performed seems to diminish much of its inherent power. However, I can say that these plays were intriguing, thought-provoking, and even fun in their presentation, despite the rather dark subject matter. To fully evaluate or appreciate them, I think watching a good stage production is probably crucial, although I don't know how often such productions occur. (There is an adaptation of Six Characters available on Amazon directed by Stacy Keach and starring Andy Griffith - two names I wouldn't have associated with this sort of thing. There is also a 1949 television production from CBS of HENRY IV in the public domain that can be found by googling 'Westinghouse Studio One Henry IV internet archive'. I'd recommend this more for its camp value than anything else.) All in all, I thought these plays were an eye-opener for me. They seem to foreshadow a great deal of literary output (not just theatrical) that followed, and NAKED MASKS is not only a great introduction to Pirandello but also to those modernist works that came after.

Probably more like 4.5 stars.

The first four plays, namely "Liolà", "It is so! (If you think so)", "Henry IV", and "Six characters in search of an author", were stronger than the final one, "Each in his own way".

Pirandello does a remarkable job of delving into the question of what truly constitutes reality and what is merely a social construction or a matter of societal opinion. In "Henry IV", for instance, the self-aware madness of the protagonist is truly captivating. He believes he is Henry IV, yet he knows deep down that he isn't. However, he pretends that he doesn't know, creating a complex and thought-provoking character.

This collection of plays has definitely piqued my interest in reading more. I look forward to exploring other works by Pirandello and delving further into the world of theater. There is so much depth and nuance to be discovered in the plays, and I can't wait to see what else lies ahead.

I should read more plays to expand my understanding and appreciation of this art form.

Admittedly, the pastoral comedy "Leolá" seems rather out of place.

However, the remainder of this collection is a series of astonishing experiences one after another.

As a philosophical counterpoint to Shaw's politically inclined comedy of ideas, Pirandello's loquacious dramedies chip away at one's firmly held beliefs regarding identity, society, and reality in a maddening manner that both exasperates and delights.

"Six Characters in Search of an Author" is justifiably the most renowned play in this collection.

Nevertheless, "It Is So! (If You Think So)," "Henry IV," and "Each in His Own Way" are also extremely impressive in their own unique ways.

These plays offer profound insights and challenges to our conventional ways of thinking, making us question the very nature of our existence and the world around us.

They are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Overall, this collection of plays by Pirandello is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human nature and the mysteries of life.

I really liked it.

In fact, I ended up directing one of the plays, Six Characters in Search of an Author. This was an exciting opportunity for me as it allowed me to explore my creativity and bring a unique vision to the stage.

The play itself is a complex and thought-provoking piece, filled with interesting characters and themes. Directing it required a great deal of planning and coordination, as well as the ability to work with the actors to bring out the best in their performances.

Overall, it was a challenging but extremely rewarding experience, and I'm glad I had the chance to be a part of it.

I look forward to future opportunities to direct and continue to grow as a director.

Constantly Changing Reality Renders Life Absurd

Nobel Prize-winning dramatist Luigi Pirandello's plays are truly remarkable for their originality, especially during his lifetime.

I have never been a regular theatergoer, and the total number of plays I've seen is less than a dozen (excluding my high school days). So, I can't really call myself a theater critic. However, I must say that four out of the five plays I've read manage to touch on some fundamental aspects of the human condition. I'll discuss each one separately. Obviously, since I've given it five stars (not one for each!), I think the whole collection is worth reading.

LIOLÀ, the fifth play, could perhaps be subtitled "Pregnancy Italian Style". It's a comedy that didn't seem to be well-translated, as it was quite difficult to follow. Maybe in our more relaxed times, the humor here feels a bit old-fashioned. But my main focus is on the other four plays.

Pirandello's recurring questions are (more or less) about the nature of truth and reality. Can we truly define what truth is? Does reality exist in a fixed form? Doesn't each individual have their own perception of truth and reality? In this era of "fake news", these questions are more relevant than ever. But one has to wonder, hasn't false information or different versions of reality always been a part of our lives?

In IT'S SO (IF YOU THINK IT'S SO), Pirandello presents a mysterious and puzzling story. Who is the crazy one here? Maybe no one, or maybe everyone. The curious townspeople try to figure out the relationship between a newly arrived government official, his wife, and mother-in-law. Pirandello's ending is truly brilliant.

HENRY IV (which is not a historical play) explores the same theme: who is deceiving whom? Is anyone truly mad, or is it a case of completely different perspectives on reality and life? "We mask ourselves with that which we appear to be," he says.

SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR is undoubtedly one of the most original plays ever written and has served as a template for many others that followed (although, as I mentioned, I haven't seen them). "Life is full of infinite absurdities which don't even have to appear plausible because they are true." Once again, he questions the true nature of reality.

EACH IN HIS OWN WAY also deals with the concept of shifting realities and truths. In light of the current state of the world in 2018, I would say these plays are a powerful antidote to the blustering and so-called leaders of the world who play with truth and reality, putting all of us at risk.

Overall, Pirandello's plays offer deep insights into the human condition and the complex nature of truth and reality. They are a must-read for anyone interested in exploring these profound themes.

An excellent collection that I finally got around to after many years. It was truly a remarkable find. I particularly enjoyed the piece titled "It is so! (If You Think so)." The way it was presented and the ideas it conveyed were truly captivating. However, it's worth noting that the English version by Edward Storer of "Six Characters" has a slight drawback. It lacks the final scene description that is present in Felicity Firth's translation. This omission might have an impact on the overall reading experience and the full understanding of the story. On the other hand, later translations might be more true to the original Italian. They could potentially offer a more accurate and detailed portrayal of the author's intended vision. It would be interesting to explore these different translations and see how they compare.

I bought this for just $2 to read Henry IV. It is a searing play that delves deep into the themes of madness, reality, and history.

The play is filled with profound quotes that make you stop and think. For example, in Act 1, the line "Did you want to be born, Monsignor? I didn't! And in both cases, independently of our wills, so many things happen we wish didn't happen, and to which we resign ourselves the best we can..." makes you question the very nature of our existence and the events that shape our lives.

In Act 2, the quote "All our life is crushed by the weight of words: the weight of the dead." highlights the power of language and how the past can haunt and burden us.

Another powerful quote from Act 2 is "I would never wish you to think, as I have done, on this horrible thing which really drives one mad: that if you were beside another and looking into his eyes - as I one day looked into somebody's eyes - you might as well be a beggar before a door never to be opened to you, but someone unknown to you with his own different and impenetrable world..." This quote explores the theme of human connection and the feeling of isolation that can come from not truly understanding another person.

Overall, Henry IV is a thought-provoking and engaging play that is well worth reading.

I have delved into several remarkable literary works.

First, there is "Right You Are (If You Think So!)," which presents a thought-provoking exploration of perception and truth.

"Six Characters in Search of an Author" is another captivating piece that blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction, leaving the reader in a state of wonder.

"Henry IV" is a classic that offers a rich portrayal of historical figures and their complex relationships.

Finally, "Each in His Own Way" provides unique insights into the human condition, highlighting the individuality and diversity of our experiences.

These works have not only entertained me but also broadened my understanding of the power and beauty of literature.

They serve as a reminder of the countless ways in which writers can transport us to different worlds and make us see the familiar in a new light.

I look forward to continuing my exploration of the literary canon and uncovering more hidden gems.

One can't read Pirandello without feeling a profound sense of overflow.

This is because his works are filled with a constant and intense questioning of convention.

Nowhere is this more marked than in "Six Characters," where the lives of the characters seem to burst forth and spill out from the tight reigns of their director.

However, this theme doesn't stop there. It runs through the other plays in this collection and indeed much of the rest of the work by this remarkable author.

Perhaps Pirandello is to the twentieth century play what Nietzsche was to nineteenth century philosophy.

Just as Nietzsche challenged the established norms and ideas in philosophy, Pirandello did the same in the world of theater.

His works forced audiences to question their own assumptions and perceptions, and to see the world in a new and different light.

In this way, Pirandello's plays have had a lasting impact on the development of theater and continue to be relevant and thought-provoking today.

This book had been sitting on my shelves since high school!

We had read it in book club during those high school days, but astonishingly, I didn't remember a single thing about it.

So, I decided to pick it up and give it a thorough read. However, to my disappointment, I couldn't even finish it.

I began with the first play, Liola. It is essentially a personality study centered around a young man who is a playboy, and the web of intrigue that develops around him and another couple who is barren.

I found this play to be quite dry and uninteresting.

The second play, It IS so!, proved to be even more challenging for me. I couldn't even complete it because I really couldn't understand it.

Then, I made an attempt to start Henri IV, but it was so dry that I quickly realized I had reached my limit with this book.

Perhaps it's because I'm not accustomed to reading plays, which might have influenced my perception.

But in all honesty, I think this just wasn't my cup of tea, neither then nor now.

It seems that some books are simply not meant for everyone, and this one might be one of them for me.

I haven't delved into a book of plays for an extremely long time. This paperback copy has been in my possession since at least my graduate school days. So, in I dove!

I wasn't overly impressed with his so-called "famous" plays like "Six Characters in Search of an Author" and "Henry IV". However, I did enjoy "It Is So If You Think It Is So" to a considerable extent. But by the fifth play, I was astonished at how much he seemed to be simply repeating himself from one play to another.

I perused Eric Bentley's introduction to this edition, which contains this incredibly forthright passage: "A first reading of his forty-four plays leaves us with an impression of monotony. A second reading calls our attention to grave faults in dramatic structure and grave limitations in character portrayal." Oh dear, I'm glad I only read five of them then.

I wonder why we, you and he, have lied?

Because humanity is a seeker, always striving to shine.

"So all of us, naked, try to cover up with that loose, merciful cloak.

As long as we feel that our true faces need a covering to hide their flaws, this is the truth behind us.

This simple question about lying reveals a deeper aspect of human nature. We often find ourselves in situations where we feel the need to deceive, perhaps to protect ourselves, or to present a better image. But this act of lying also shows our insecurities and the lengths we are willing to go to hide our true selves.

It makes us question whether we can ever truly be honest with others and with ourselves. Maybe it is only by facing our flaws and accepting them that we can begin to move forward and become more authentic versions of ourselves.

Or perhaps the act of lying is an inevitable part of the human experience, a way for us to navigate the complex social world we live in. Either way, the question of why we lie continues to intrigue and challenge us.