The three "Family" plays, with their rather strange culinary decisions and even odder family dynamics, are indeed quite solid.

And I firmly believe that reading them together offers certain advantages. Beyond the doors of those three houses lies a map of an abyssal America: land on which one has been cheated, a bar straight out of a Western cliché, a golf course, a derelict desert, a liquor store, a cornfield, and a makeshift burial ground.

"Tooth of Crime" is a tale of competitive coolness that, unfortunately, never manages to be convincingly cool. In fact, I can't even imagine it ever was. Instead, it is annoyingly overwritten. However, if one can somehow look past all that slangy nonsense, the underlying myth isn't a complete failure.

The second act of "La Turista," with its wild and grotesque monster images, is some of my favorite writing by Shepard, even though the first act doesn't accomplish much.

The looser Chaikin collaborations don't have a great deal of impact on the page, although "Savage/Love" is moving in its own unique way.

Overall, these plays offer a complex and often disturbing look at American life and relationships.

His love for Beckett is self-evident.

It is as clear as day, and one can easily see the passion he holds for this particular subject.

Moreover, his irascible and curmudgeon nature also shines through.

He has a tendency to be easily angered and grumpy, which some might find off-putting.

However, I can relate to and appreciate this aspect of his personality.

I believe that irritable people, although their behavior may not always be pleasant, tend to be truthful.

They don't sugarcoat things or hold back their opinions, which can be refreshing in a world where many people are afraid to speak their minds.

In a way, his irascibility is a part of what makes him unique and interesting.

It adds depth to his character and makes him stand out from the crowd.

Overall, I find his love for Beckett and his irascible nature to be both fascinating and endearing.

I have indeed witnessed Sam Shepard's remarkable acting skills. However, I have never delved into any of his numerous plays. It is clear that he holds a truly unique perspective. The initial two plays, namely True West and Buried Child, vividly depict the dysfunctions within families. They are highly entertaining pieces of work. I am absolutely determined to explore more of his plays.

Shepard's ability to bring to life the complex and often troubled relationships within a family is truly captivating. His plays offer a deep and thought-provoking look into the human condition. I am eager to discover what other hidden gems lie within his body of work.

By reading more of his plays, I hope to gain a better understanding of his creative vision and the themes that he explores. I believe that his plays will continue to engage and inspire me, just as his acting has done.

The tooth of chrome was a rather weird curse that seemed to afflict the starving class.

It was an odd phenomenon that left many people scratching their heads. Some believed it was a sign of their hard times, while others thought it might be some sort of supernatural occurrence.

Despite the strangeness, the people affected by this curse carried on with their lives as best they could. They endured the hardships and tried to make the most of what little they had.

Perhaps there was a deeper meaning to this curse, something that would only be revealed in time. Or maybe it was just a random quirk of fate that added to the already difficult lives of the starving class.

Either way, it was a story that intrigued and puzzled those who heard about it, a reminder of the strange and often unpredictable nature of life.

Sam Shepard is such a great playwright. His works have had a profound impact on the American theater scene. This collection is truly one of his best. I was extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to see several of his plays during a Shepard festival several years ago. The experience was truly unforgettable. One of the plays that stood out was True West. It is a classic American play that should be seen by all. The story is engaging, the characters are complex and well-developed, and the dialogue is sharp and witty. It explores themes such as family, identity, and the American dream. Shepard's unique style and vision are on full display in this play, making it a must-see for anyone interested in theater or American literature.

Shepard isn't merely one of the most crucial American playwrights in our era; he is, in fact, one of the most significant American writers. His characters possess a darkness and complexity that is truly captivating. Their longing to establish a connection with the world is something that, I believe, most people can identify with. It's as if their struggles and desires mirror our own. In this collection, two of his finest plays - True West and Buried Child - are included. These plays offer a profound exploration of the human condition, delving into themes such as family, identity, and the search for meaning. Shepard's unique writing style and his ability to bring these characters to life on the stage make his works a must-read for anyone interested in the art of drama.

Sam Shepard is truly one of a kind.

He has an uncanny ability to chronicle the desperate and lonesome American underbelly through his plays.

The settings he creates, with the cold, skeletal walls of living rooms and kitchens,仿佛paint a vivid picture of the harsh reality faced by those who inhabit them.

The characters within these plays have coarse, broken hearts, and the environments they find themselves in are more hostile than any desert landscape.

Shepard was not just a playwright; he was a renegade poet and one of the greatest artists America has ever produced.

His works have had a profound impact on the world of theater and continue to resonate with audiences today.

Through his unique vision and powerful storytelling, Shepard has given us a glimpse into the hidden corners of the American psyche,揭示了the pain, longing, and hope that lies within.

His legacy will surely live on for generations to come.

I really enjoyed the first three plays.

The last four, however, are probably better experienced on stage than just reading them on paper.

My absolute favourite among them is "Curse of the Starving Class".

The least favourite has to be "The Tooth of Crime".

Shepard is truly remarkable when it comes to writing daydream monologues.

In these monologues, the characters envision a better and simpler future for themselves.

It's as if they are lost in a world of their own hopes and dreams.

Of course, in the end, these beautiful daydreams are always brutally crushed by the harsh American reality.

It's a powerful and poignant theme that Shepard explores so well in his works.

His writing makes us think about the gap between our aspirations and the real world we live in.

It leaves a lasting impression and makes us reflect on the human condition.

Overall, I have a deep appreciation for Shepard's plays and the unique way he tells stories.

The first play that I read?

It was interesting :) and profound.

I remember it vividly. The story was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-developed and their emotions were palpable.

The dialogue was sharp and witty, adding to the overall charm of the play.

As I read, I felt as if I was transported into the world of the play, experiencing everything along with the characters.

It was a truly immersive experience that left a lasting impression on me.

Even now, whenever I think about that play, I can't help but smile and remember the wonderful time I had reading it.

I'm looking forward to reading more plays in the future and exploring the rich world of theater.

I'm simply too lazy to painstakingly go through and pen a detailed review of each and every individual play. However, it's more than enough to state that Sam Sheppard is an absolute genius. He has the remarkable ability to delve deep into the seedy, alcohol-soaked, and drug-addled recesses of American life.

Yet, all the while, he keeps a watchful eye on the surreal wonder and joy that lies at the very core of all life, regardless of how depraved it may seem. Many of these plays are brutally honest and real, while others are so distant and absurd that they teeter on the brink of barely holding on.

They journey along the wide-open highway of the American soul, reaching out to the audience. In my case, that means me, reading alone in bed, and penetrating into the hitherto untouched avenues of the great mystery.

Truly, I would hate to face death.

Moments of brilliance,

those precious instants when inspiration strikes and we achieve something remarkable. It could be a brilliant idea that changes the course of a project or a spectacular performance that leaves everyone in awe.

Then there are moments of pretention,

when we try to show off or act in a way that is not truly ourselves. We might pretend to know more than we do or put on a false front to impress others.

And finally, there are those moments where a drug trip would be easier to understand.

These are the times when life seems so complex and confusing that we wonder if taking a drug might offer a simpler, more straightforward perspective. But of course, we know that drugs are not the answer and that we must face life's challenges head-on, no matter how difficult they may seem.

Wahhhh I’m disillusioned!

It seems that everything around me is not as I expected. The dreams and hopes I once had are slowly fading away.

I’m an American, but that doesn’t mean I have a perfect life. There are so many challenges and difficulties that I have to face every day.

Maybe it’s the pressure from work, or the problems in my personal life. I don’t know how to deal with them anymore.

I feel like I’m lost in a maze, with no way out. But I know I can’t give up. I have to keep going, no matter how hard it is.

I need to find a way to overcome my disillusionment and start a new life. Maybe it won’t be easy, but I’m willing to try.