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Tennessee Williams: Plays 1937–1955

tennessee williams mel gussow kenneth holditch

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Tennessee Williams’s explosive, often violent, plays shattered conventional proprieties and transformed the American stage. They inspired some of the most famous productions and performances in theatrical and film history, and they continue to grip audiences all over the world. Now, in an authoritative two-volume edition, The Library of America collects the plays that define Williams’s extraordinary range and achievement.

This first volume begins with the stunning rediscovered plays of Williams’s early career: Spring Storm, a tragedy of provincial longing that prefigures the mood and language of his later work, and Not About Nightingales, a stark prison drama, produced in 1998 to international acclaim, that resounds with the playwright’s outraged idealism. With the autobiographical The Glass Menagerie in 1944, Williams attained what he later called “the catastrophe of success,” a success made all the greater by A Streetcar Named Desire, his most famous play and one of the most influential works of modern American literature.

Forging an idiom that uniquely blended lyricism and brutality, a tragic sense of life and a genius for comic observation, he continued to revolutionize the American theater with a series of masterpieces: the poignant and melancholy Summer and Smoke, the light-hearted erotic comedy The Rose Tattoo, the sprawling and surrealistic Camino Real, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the Pulitzer Prize–winning portrayal of a ruthless family struggle. This volume also contains Battle of Angels (an early version of Orpheus Descending), and a selection of Williams’s one-act plays, including 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, The Property Is Condemned, and I Rise in Flame, Cried the Phoenix, a meditation on the life and work of D. H. Lawrence.

This edition includes a newly researched chronology of Tennessee Williams’s life, explanatory notes (including cast lists of many of the original productions), and an essay on the texts.

This volume is edited by Mel Gussow (1933–2005), who was a drama critic, a cultural writer at The New York Times, and author of several books, including Edward Albee: A Singular Journey, and by Kenneth Holditch, professor emeritus at the University of New Orleans, editor since 1989 of the Tennessee Williams Journal, and the author of In Old New Orleans.
--front flap

975 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1,2000

This edition

Format
975 pages, Hardcover
Published
October 1, 2000 by Library of America
ISBN
9781883011864
ASIN
1883011868
Language
English

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About the author

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tennessee williams

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Thomas Lanier Williams III, better known by the nickname Tennessee Williams, was a major American playwright of the twentieth century who received many of the top theatrical awards for his work. He moved to New Orleans in 1939 and changed his name to "Tennessee," the state of his father's birth.

Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, after years of obscurity, at age 33 he became famous with the success of The Glass Menagerie (1944) in New York City. This play closely reflected his own unhappy family background. It was the first of a string of successes, including A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955), Sweet Bird of Youth (1959), and The Night of the Iguana (1961). With his later work, he attempted a new style that did not appeal to audiences. His drama A Streetcar Named Desire is often numbered on short lists of the finest American plays of the 20th century, alongside Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.

Much of Williams' most acclaimed work has been adapted for the cinema. He also wrote short stories, poetry, essays and a volume of memoirs. In 1979, four years before his death, Williams was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 25 votes)
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25 reviews All reviews
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k0va
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have a tendency to evaluate anthologies based on their best offerings, rather than being overly influenced by a few subpar pieces. The books from the Library of America are truly excellent, particularly for those who, like me, have a compulsion for completeness. I have already reviewed the majority of the plays in other places, so I won't repeat myself here.

Or, even worse, I might accidentally contradict what I've previously said if I happen to have forgotten my initial impressions. Overall, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this entire collection. This includes even those plays that I thought were just okay.

The variety and quality within the anthology make it a worthwhile addition to any bookshelf. It offers a diverse range of works that can provide readers with new perspectives and literary experiences. Whether you're a dedicated theater enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys good literature, this collection is sure to have something that will capture your interest.

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Zerviscos
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Just read one play at this time.

It can be a wonderful experience to focus on just one play. By doing so, you can fully immerse yourself in the story, characters, and themes. You can take the time to analyze the dialogue, understand the plot twists, and appreciate the author's writing style.

Reading one play at a time allows for a deeper exploration and connection with the work. It gives you the opportunity to form your own interpretations and opinions. You can discuss the play with others, share your thoughts, and gain different perspectives.

Moreover, concentrating on a single play helps in improving your reading comprehension and literary skills. You can learn about different dramatic techniques, such as foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism. This can enhance your ability to understand and appreciate other works of literature as well.

So, the next time you pick up a play, consider reading just one at a time and enjoy the journey of discovery it offers.
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Hikarinyx
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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More stunning plays by one of the greatest authors to come out of the American South. This author has continuously amazed audiences with their unique storytelling and powerful characters. Each play is a masterpiece, filled with rich emotions, complex relationships, and thought-provoking themes. The settings are vividly描绘, transporting the audience to the heart of the American South, with its charming landscapes, distinct dialects, and deep-rooted traditions. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, drawing the audience in and making them feel as if they are a part of the story. Whether it's a tragedy or a comedy, this author's plays always leave a lasting impression. They have the ability to make us laugh, cry, and think, all at the same time. If you haven't experienced the magic of this author's plays, then you're missing out on something truly special.

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realbash
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Read 'em all. See 'em all. It's a matter of personal lyricism.

Every word, every line, holds a story waiting to be discovered. When we read, we embark on a journey through the author's mind, experiencing their emotions and thoughts.

It's like opening a door to a new world, filled with colors, sounds, and sensations. We can see the characters come to life, feel their joys and sorrows, and be inspired by their actions.

Reading allows us to express our own personal lyricism, to find the words that resonate with our souls and to share our own stories with the world. It's a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth, and a source of无尽的乐趣 and inspiration.

So, whether you're reading a classic novel, a poetry collection, or a self-help book, take the time to soak in every word, to see the world through the author's eyes, and to let your own personal lyricism shine through.
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SakuraHana001
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is the second volume of the Library of America that I have read recently. The first one was Kate Chopin, and now this one about Tennessee Williams. These books are truly impressive.

As you can see from the title, this volume covers the entirety of Tennessee Williams' dramatic output, starting from his earliest plays all the way through "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 1955. It includes other famous plays such as "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Streetcar Named Desire", along with several less well-known plays and one-act plays.

I hadn't read Williams since my undergraduate days when I read "The Glass Menagerie". Reading these plays now, I find them to be a lot of fun. They are filled with intense emotions and larger-than-life characters. Given that it spans 20 years of work, it's no surprise that some plays are stronger than others. However, with the possible exception of "Camino Real", I found almost all of them to be more or less enjoyable.

The plays are, of course, a product of their time. They contain sexual and racial content that may sound quite harsh to modern readers in some parts. But overall, the impression that the reader is left with - hot, drunk, angry, poor, and desperate - is vivid and unforgettable.
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Savvoy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Tennessee does it to me every time.

It's as if this state has some sort of magical charm that always manages to draw me in and make me feel a certain way.

Maybe it's the beautiful landscapes, with its rolling hills and vast plains that seem to stretch on forever.

Or perhaps it's the friendly people, who always greet you with a warm smile and a kind word.

There's just something about Tennessee that makes it stand out from the rest.

Every time I visit, I find myself falling in love with it all over again.

Whether I'm exploring the vibrant cities or taking a peaceful hike in the mountains, Tennessee always manages to leave a lasting impression on me.

It's a place that I can't wait to go back to time and time again, and I know that it will always hold a special place in my heart.

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TentacleTherapy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I picked up the two-volume Library of America series

simply because I am reading Williams chronologically.

Even his lesser-known and perhaps overlooked works, those that he completed when he was still in the process of learning how to write plays,

possess an astonishing power, beauty, and vitality.

There are certain writers and artists whose works have the ability to make one truly feel the full throb and ache of being human.

Williams, for me, is precisely such an individual.

His works are like a form of good medicine,

capable of providing solace, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the human condition

no matter what stage of life one may be in.

They have the power to touch our hearts,

evoke our emotions, and make us reflect on the complex and often beautiful tapestry of human existence.

Williams' words have a timeless quality that continues to resonate with readers and audiences alike,

even decades after they were first written.

His plays are not just works of art;

they are a testament to the human spirit and its ability to create something truly remarkable.

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Seanateriyaki
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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An amazing playwright, Edmonds, was grappling with some extremely dark personal issues, and this is vividly manifested in his work. He was also a highly controlling figure who had a precise vision of how he wanted his plays to be presented. He was meticulous in his stage directions, leaving no room for error. The stories he crafted were truly remarkable. Each one was a complex tapestry of emotions, characters, and plotlines that drew the audience in and held their attention from start to finish. His ability to explore the depths of the human psyche and bring to life the darkest corners of the human experience was truly awe-inspiring. Despite the darkness that pervaded his work, there was also a glimmer of hope and redemption, a reminder that even in the bleakest of circumstances, there is always a possibility for change and growth.

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