If you are unable to attend any of the plays penned by Sam Shepherd, then this collection serves as an excellent alternative. The creativity and distinct perspective of this playwright are fully on display here.

I firmly believe that the first three plays in this collection, namely "True West," "Buried Child," and "Curse of the Starving Class," are truly outstanding. However, I found it rather challenging to sustain my interest in the middle two plays, "The Tooth of Crime" and "La Turista."

Conversely, the last two plays in the collection, "Tongues" and "Savage/Love," presented a wonderful surprise in terms of their themes, lyrical writing, and creativity. With the first five plays, a unifying element is the conflicted individuals who are Shepherd's characters. They strive to evade what they have become or lost and are compelled to come to terms with it.

The final two pieces are voices grappling with various aspects of life, death, and the stages of love. Additionally, the Introduction by Richard Gilman proves to be highly beneficial in comprehending the significance of Sam Shepherd and what to anticipate in this collection.

Selected works from one of the most interesting, unique and essential voices in American dramatic stagecraft.

Even at his worst, Shepard is still lyrically inventive and stupefyingly fascinating with his plays of phrase and figure. His ability to craft words and images that linger in the mind is truly remarkable.

His best work are the ones that stick like a tongue in a dead tooth socket out of the holes worn into the American Dream and the failing middle class. These plays explore the disillusionment and decay that lie beneath the surface of American society,揭示了美国梦和中产阶级衰落背后的现实。

Shepard's work is excellent and he deserves to be listed above Beckett and Stoppard in the annals of 20th century drama. His contributions to the field are significant and his plays continue to be relevant and engaging today.

Overall, Shepard's body of work is a testament to his talent and vision as a playwright, and it is sure to be studied and performed for generations to come.

A couple of these plays are truly remarkable and amazing, while a couple of them really aren't that great.

All in all, it is a fairly decent collection that managed to keep me engaged and never once made me feel bored. However, I do think that for a couple of these plays, especially Tongue and La Turista, there was something that seemed to have been lost in the translation from the stage to the written page.

Perhaps it was the energy and the live performance aspect that couldn't be fully captured in the printed text. Or maybe it was the nuances of the actors' interpretations that didn't come through as clearly on the page.

Nevertheless, despite these minor drawbacks, the collection as a whole is still worth reading and exploring. It offers a diverse range of stories and perspectives that are sure to stimulate the imagination and引发思考.

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We delved into the little trilogy which consists of "Buried Child", "Curse of the Starving Class", and "True West".

"Buried Child" was simply FABULOUS!!! It had a certain charm and depth that left us completely enthralled.

The "Curse of the Starving Class" was good. We would've loved to witness a really well-done adaptation of it.

"True West", on the other hand, was just meh. However, we're still counting it as a win because we enjoyed "Buried Child" to such an extent.

The symbolism in these works was present throughout the days. #iloveyouvince #theycouldnevermakemehateyou.

Overall, this trilogy offered a diverse range of experiences, with "Buried Child" shining as a true gem and leaving a lasting impression on us.

Whenever I read about Sam Shepard's work, I am inevitably presented with the playwright's personal history. Many of his plays touch on themes such as sporadic drug abuse, teenage rebellion, and failed relationships, which mirror his own life experiences. I believe that anyone closely examining a Sam Shepard drama will struggle to find clear patterns for analysis. The stories are often fragmented and disjointed, perhaps deliberately so. It seems as if Sam has managed to create meaning on stage that eluded him in his personal life.

I am particularly intrigued by Sam's combative relationship with his father. The estrangement between father and son takes center stage in many of his plays, including "Buried Child," "Fool For Love," "True West," "Curse of the Starving Class," and "Motel Chronicles."

Sam's father was a World War II bomber pilot, fluent in Spanish and a Fullbright scholar. It's easy to see where Sam got his inspiration and skills, but at the same time, his father was a violent alcoholic. Sam grew up in a dysfunctional household, with his father often disappearing for long periods without explanation. Sam has always said that his father was a mystery to him, and it's this ambiguity that makes his plays so fascinating.

"True West" is a great example of how Sam explores the split personality of two brothers. One brother represents the intellectual side of his father, while the other embodies the darker side. They both have the same great idea, but they are willing to fight to the death over it.

In "Buried Child," a young son returns home to find that his father doesn't recognize or remember him, yet seems to understand him better than he understands himself. This play is particularly interesting because of a story about Sam's father. One night in New Mexico, Sam's father, who may not have seen his son in years, got drunk and went to a performance of "Buried Child." He took his seat like everyone else, but when he saw a drunk character on stage who resembled him, he began yelling and disrupting the play. Security had to drag him out of the theater.

Even funnier is what happened later that year. Sam drove from New York to New Mexico to reconnect with his father, who was now a hopeless recluse living alone in the desert. He spent his days drinking bourbon and staring at cut-out magazine pictures on his kitchen walls. I can only imagine what that conversation was like when Sam showed him the Pulitzer Prize for "Buried Child." That would have been hilarious.

True west has never been more accurately described.

The concept of the "true west" holds a certain allure and mystery. It represents a place that is wild, untamed, and full of adventure.

It is a land of vast plains, majestic mountains, and deep canyons. The west has always been a symbol of freedom and opportunity, attracting people from all walks of life.

Whether it is the pioneers who braved the harsh elements to settle in the west, or the cowboys who herded cattle across the open range, the west has left an indelible mark on American history.

Today, the west still retains much of its charm and beauty, attracting tourists from around the world.

It is a place where one can experience the beauty of nature, the thrill of adventure, and the rich history and culture of the American west.

In conclusion, the phrase "true west" captures the essence of this remarkable region, and it will continue to inspire and fascinate people for generations to come.

Curse of the Starving Class tops the list of remarkable works.

This play delves deep into the complex and often tragic lives of a working-class family.

The characters are vividly portrayed, with their hopes, dreams, and frustrations laid bare.

The story unfolds in a gritty and realistic setting, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and the struggle for survival.

The curse that seems to hang over the family adds an element of mystery and drama, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

Through powerful dialogue and intense scenes, the play explores themes such as class inequality, family dynamics, and the human condition.

It forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths about society and the impact it has on the lives of those less fortunate.

Overall, Curse of the Starving Class is a thought-provoking and engaging piece of theater that leaves a lasting impression.

I'll never forget my first encounter with Sam Shepard's work.

It was a performance of Curse of the Starving Class, which was performed by the drama department at The University of British Columbia.

The raw energy that emanated from the stage was palpable. The symbolism within the play added depth and layers of meaning. The stark dialogue cut through like a knife, leaving a lasting impression. Everything about the play was like a dam bursting, unleashing a torrent of emotions and ideas.

I left the theatre in shock, thinking, "So that is what the theatre can be."

Also, in Shepard's masterpiece True West, the performances of Gary Sinise and John Malkovich are simply superb.

The apocalyptic "trying to find a pencil scene in the kitchen while the operator is waiting on the line" is perhaps the rawest and most outrageous scene in modern drama. It grabs the audience's attention and holds it captive, leaving them on the edge of their seats.

Shepard's work is truly a force to be reckoned with, and these experiences have only deepened my appreciation for his talent and vision.

I was engaged in stage managing the play "Buried Child" while simultaneously studying "True West." Sam Shepard is truly a remarkable playwright who never fails to disappoint. His writing is so expertly crafted that it cuts right to the core.

"Buried Child" might potentially be allegorical, but to be honest, I took it in a more literal sense. However, there is no doubt that it powerfully speaks to the common human experience of having our expectations completely destroyed.

It delves deep into the complex and often painful emotions that arise when our hopes and dreams are shattered. The characters in the play are faced with their own personal disappointments, and through their interactions and the unfolding of the story, we are able to see the far-reaching consequences of these dashed expectations.

Shepard's ability to capture this universal theme in such a vivid and engaging way is what makes his work so enduring and impactful. Whether we view "Buried Child" as an allegory or a literal exploration of the human condition, it leaves a lasting impression and forces us to confront our own experiences of disappointment.

Sam Shepard passed away, and my social media feeds were filled with pictures of Shepard sitting comfortably beside Patti Smith and proclamations of his departed genius.

I was mainly familiar with him as the rough father in the Netflix series Bloodline. So, I picked up this Seven Plays collection at a thrift store, hoping to discover what I had been lacking.

To begin with, Shepard essentially creates the Danny character from Bloodline in one of the plays within this very book. I won't disclose which one. It's worthwhile to explore the other six plays as well to find out.

Shepard's work is known for its raw and powerful nature. His plays often delve into complex themes such as family, identity, and the human condition.

By reading this collection, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of his unique writing style and the genius that made him such an influential figure in the world of theater.

I'm excited to embark on this literary journey and see what other hidden gems I can uncover within these pages.

It was a truly remarkable experience.

From the moment it began, I could sense that something special was about to unfold.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation.

Every detail seemed to be perfectly arranged, creating a harmonious and inviting environment.

The people involved were all passionate and dedicated, which added to the overall charm.

As the event progressed, I found myself completely immersed in it.

The activities were engaging and enjoyable, and I learned a great deal along the way.

By the end, I felt a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

It was indeed a good event that will stay in my memory for a long time.

I look forward to more such wonderful experiences in the future.