Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Four Plays: Summer and Smoke / Orpheus Descending / Suddenly Last Summer / Period of Adjustment

tennessee williams

... Show More
A collection of four plays from the master of twentieth-century American drama includes Orpheus Descending, in which a nomadic guitar player falls in love with a storekeeper's wife only to find his life plagued by violence when the townspeople turns against them. Original.

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,1956

This edition

Format
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
November 4, 2003 by Signet Classics
ISBN
9780451529145
ASIN
0451529146
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for tennessee williams

tennessee williams

... Show More
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.

From Wikipedia

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 35 votes)
5 stars
16(46%)
4 stars
11(31%)
3 stars
8(23%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
35 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
PrettyOhana
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

It's truly strange to rate collections. I had a genuine affection for Summer and Smoke. The story and the atmosphere it created were quite captivating. However, Suddenly Last Summer was in a league of its own. It was simply unmatched in terms of its intensity, depth, and the emotions it evoked. It left a profound impact on me.


On the other hand, Period of Adjustment was just so-so. It didn't really grab my attention or engage me on a deep level. And the way the book ended, it kind of dampened the overall reading experience for me. It felt a bit anticlimactic and left me with a sense of dissatisfaction.


Overall, while some of the works in the collection were outstanding, others fell short. It's a reminder that in any collection, there will be a mix of different qualities, and it's up to the reader to decide which ones resonate with them the most.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
_NotA_Weeb_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I really liked the last one, Period of Adjustment.

It was a truly remarkable experience. The story had a unique charm that captured my attention from the very beginning. The characters were well-developed and their relationships added depth to the plot.

The period of adjustment that the main characters went through was both relatable and engaging. It made me reflect on my own life and the times when I had to adapt to new situations.

The author did a great job of creating a vivid and immersive world. I could easily picture the settings and events in my mind.

Overall, Period of Adjustment was a great read. It left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend it to others.

I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's works in the future.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Enzeru92
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I chose this book specifically because I had read "Period of Adjustment". It wasn't because I had read the entire book from cover to cover, as a matter of fact, I hadn't. :). Anyhow, I truly adored "Period of Adjustment". It was highly entertaining, with a unique charm that set it apart from other works. In fact, it was pretty much the only thing I read for AP LIT that didn't conclude with an extremely depressing ending. This made it a refreshing and enjoyable read. The humor and the way the story unfolded kept me engaged from start to finish. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the scenes and characters. It was a welcome break from the often somber and heavy themes that are common in AP LIT readings.

I would highly recommend "Period of Adjustment" to anyone looking for a lighthearted and engaging read. It's a great choice for those who want to escape from the stresses of everyday life and just have a good time reading. Even if you haven't read the entire book, "Period of Adjustment" alone is definitely worth checking out.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TheAceAttorney
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Sex is a terribly dangerous enterprise.

It holds numerous risks and potential consequences that can have a profound impact on one's life.

In foreign countries, there may be different cultural norms, legal systems, and levels of safety and security that can further complicate and endanger the act of engaging in sex.

Additionally, when it comes to having sex with anyone in Mississippi, or any specific location for that matter, there are still various factors to consider.

There could be issues such as sexually transmitted infections, emotional attachments gone wrong, and potential legal implications depending on the circumstances.

It is essential to approach sex with caution, awareness, and responsibility to minimize the potential dangers and protect one's well-being.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Helios21
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

I truly adored "Suddenly Last Summer." The characters within it were so captivating that V and I dedicated numerous letters to analyzing them and their underlying motivations. The story seemed to draw us in, making us eager to understand every nuance of the characters' actions and thoughts.


However, when it came to "Summer and Smoke," my experience was quite different. I really did not have a liking for the characters in this one. I found it extremely difficult to become engaged with the story or the individuals within it. It felt as if there was something lacking that prevented me from truly connecting with what was happening on the page.


Perhaps it was the way the characters were developed or the overall tone of the story. Whatever the reason, it just didn't have the same allure for me as "Suddenly Last Summer."

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
asakuraShinji
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

I think 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is still my favorite Williams play to date. This remarkable work truly stands out among his extensive body of plays. The story is filled with complex characters and intense emotions that draw the audience in from the very beginning. The setting, a hot and humid Mississippi plantation, adds to the overall atmosphere of tension and unease. The relationships between the characters, especially that of Brick and Maggie, are explored in great depth, revealing the flaws and desires that drive them. Williams' use of language is also a highlight, with his dialogue being both poetic and powerful. It has the ability to convey the deepest of emotions and the most profound of thoughts. Overall, 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today, and I have no doubt that it will remain one of my all-time favorite plays for many years to come.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
sebsus
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Of these four plays by Tennessee Williams, I loved three of them.

The fourth one, on the other hand, deviated from his typical Southern Gothic style and was instead a comedy. Sadly, I didn't find it either funny or in good taste.

However, the first three plays were truly unforgettable. They were filled with deep insights, remarkable sensitivity, and outstanding creativity. Every line was so captivating that I was completely hooked, hanging on every word.

Tennessee Williams is truly a master, and these plays are a testament to his genius. His ability to create such engaging and thought-provoking works is truly remarkable. It's no wonder that he is considered one of the greatest playwrights of all time.

In conclusion, while the fourth play may not have lived up to my expectations, the first three more than made up for it. Tennessee Williams will always have a special place in my heart as a writer who was able to touch my soul with his words.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
giffica
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I've had this paperback for ever.

It has been my constant companion through many years. I've read and re-read each of these plays countless times.

Every time I pick it up, it's like embarking on a new journey into the world of the playwright's imagination.

The stories come alive in my mind, and I become fully immersed in the characters and their struggles.

Summer and Smoke, in particular, still breaks my heart.

The beautiful yet tragic tale of love and longing always manages to touch a deep chord within me.

It's a play that I keep coming back to, no matter how many times I've read it before.

The words seem to have a magic of their own, pulling me in and making me feel every emotion the characters experience.

This paperback is not just a book to me; it's a treasure trove of memories and emotions that I will cherish for a long time to come.
0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.