Writing in Restaurants: Essays and Prose by david mamet

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Mamet is prosaic even in his demands for simplicity.

His complex and hard-won premises sometimes conflict. And, on occasion, they are horribly outdated.

However, for the vast majority of the time, his bitter pills are honest and sound advice to the actor climbing up the hill of making art.

Mamet's approach to simplicity is not without its challenges. The complexity of his ideas and the effort he has put into formulating them can sometimes lead to contradictions.

Moreover, as the world changes, some of his premises may no longer hold true.

Nevertheless, when it comes to guiding actors in their artistic pursuits, his advice is often valuable.

The bitter pills he offers may be difficult to swallow, but they are based on his own experiences and insights.

For actors who are serious about their craft and are willing to put in the hard work, Mamet's advice can provide a solid foundation for their artistic growth.

It can help them navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the creative process and stay true to their artistic vision.

In conclusion, while Mamet's demands for simplicity may be prosaic and his premises may have their flaws, his advice to actors is still relevant and worthy of consideration.

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Chuniru

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I read this because it was short.

However, one should never read books merely because they are short.

In fairness, I have a great appreciation for Mamet as a playwright. I am always eager to explore the theories that great writers employ in their craft. Sometimes, these theories can be quite surprising. For instance, I could spend all day, every day reading Auden's criticism. On the other hand, there are times when they uphold Plato's old adage that the last person you should ask about how poetry should work is a poet. After all, they themselves don't really know. All they know is that inspiration simply comes to them.

Of course, I am paraphrasing here, but that's the impression this particular work gave me.

I did find his notes about the incantatory, rule-setting power of words at an early age quite interesting. Additionally, the diary from the making of an 80s movie about an Iceman was hilarious, considering how seriously everyone seemed to be taking the process.

His piece on the Oscars as a modern religious ritual is excellent if you want to be the person with the deep, serious metaphysical theory of the Oscars, the one who is ruining the party and making everyone else huddle around the dip. In fact, if you are that person, you would probably enjoy this entire book.

If not, it might be best to give it a pass and read a play instead. In plays, Mamet truly knows what he is talking about.

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Uriel1988

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This was truly an enjoyable read. As a die-hard lover of Mamet's screenplays, I found myself completely digging his unique perspective and often goofy views.

The slower parts of this work were centered around the theater, a subject in which I have less investment compared to film. And indeed, a large chunk of this short collection is dedicated to the theater.

However, what made it worthwhile was its consistent wit and its blatant disregard for anyone else's opinions other than his own. At the very least, this unapologetic stance provides a certain form of entertainment.

Maybe it's not everyone's cup of tea, but for me, it was an engaging read. Lol. I would rate it 4/5 stars.

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spiffyish

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The pursuit of fashion is often regarded as the attempt of the middle class to co-opt tragedy.

In this book, there are numerous profound thoughts that truly showcase what makes Mamet so remarkable. However, there are also quite a number of ideas that reveal a somewhat outdated mindset characteristic of an adult in the 1980s. The phrasings and concepts at times seem not only dated but even rather cruel.

Nevertheless, I don't view these as flaws of the author himself. Instead, they can be seen as a reflection of the shortcomings of the era in which he penned his works.

Overall, the book is both enjoyable and insightful. Mamet's storytelling ability remains as sublime as ever, captivating readers and making them ponder over the various themes and ideas presented within its pages.

It serves as a reminder that while some aspects of the past may seem foreign or even unappealing to us today, they are an integral part of the historical and cultural context that has shaped our present.

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callosum

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I'm such a huge fan of Mamet. His works truly inspire me.

This particular piece presents an outstanding philosophy regarding writing and acting. He delves profoundly into the sacredness of the vocation, compelling the reader (and writer alike) to embark on a journey with him to a novel and arduous destination.

After perusing this, I have a more profound understanding of the challenges associated with writing. It's as if a new light has been shed on this complex craft.

Moreover, I have a penchant for actually writing in restaurants. There's something about the hustle and bustle, the ambient sounds, and the diverse array of people that fuels my creativity. It provides a unique backdrop that seems to enhance my writing experience.

I find that the distractions around me can, paradoxically, help me focus more intently on my work. It's a strange but wonderful phenomenon that I have come to cherish.

Overall, Mamet's insights and my own writing habits in restaurants have combined to make my writing journey even more enriching and fulfilling.

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Nortorn

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Vaneggi vaneggi vaneggi.

These disjointed episodes, what did this collection of essays mean? Well, sometimes it says intelligent things but in general I didn't understand where it was going to end up. They are really disjointed notes.

Perhaps the author had a unique vision or a complex thought process that was difficult to follow. Maybe the intention was to present a fragmented view of a particular subject, challenging the reader to make connections on their own.

However, for me, the lack of coherence made it a bit of a struggle to engage fully with the text. I found myself constantly trying to piece together the meaning, but often coming up short.

Despite this, there were still some interesting ideas and insights that emerged from the individual essays. It just seemed that they could have been presented in a more organized and accessible way.

Overall, while the collection had its moments, it left me with more questions than answers.

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Jin_20

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

“‘Play well, or play badly, but play truly.’ This statement holds a profound truth. No matter how hard one tries, it is impossible to escape the temporal exigencies. The passage of time is an inescapable reality. No amount of polish or refinement in the world can mitigate the fact of Death or the reality of a mutable universe. We can try to make things look pretty, but that won't make these fundamental aspects go away. All we can do is live each moment fully and avow the finite and fleeting nature of consciousness. We must embrace the present, for it is all we truly have. By doing so, we can find a sense of authenticity and meaning in our lives. As Stanislavsky said, we should strive to play truly, regardless of the outcome. This is the essence of living a fulfilling life in the face of the inevitable.”

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Enal

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This work was recommended by Steven Pressfield, and I finally got around to giving it a read.

I must say that I really enjoyed many of the essays within this collection.

Particularly, the essays on the theatre truly captivated me.

Although I have not engaged in professional theatrical adventures, I have had the pleasure of acting in several community plays.

The experience was tremendously enjoyable, and it allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the art of theatre.

The essays in this book provided valuable insights and perspectives on the world of theatre, which further enhanced my understanding and love for it.

I would highly recommend this work to anyone who has an interest in theatre or simply enjoys reading thought-provoking essays.

SLT

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Writing in Restaurants: Essays and Prose

david mamet

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