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Four scenes, four people: the husband who yearns for a son, ignorant of his own sterility; the wife who commits adultery to fulfill her husband's wish; the father of the child; and the outsider whose actions will affect them all. In this novel of extraordinary sensitivity and insight, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck casts an unwavering light on these four intertwined lives, revealing in their finely drawn circumstances the universal contours of vulnerability and passion, desperation and desire.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Melissa Laughlin
reviewed Burning Bright: A Play in Story Form on February 14, 2014
Burning Bright: A Play in Story Form
3.5 Stars
I have a fondness for Steinbeck, and so it is with great regret that I have to criticize this novella. My edition comes in at a whopping 93 pages, and I really think that about a quarter of that should've found its way to the cutting room floor. There are better ways to convey concepts and ideas than repetition. There are better ways of showing emotion than overwrought dialogue. Perhaps if this had been written in more of a standard play format, it wouldn't have felt that way... but working it up as a novel format makes it seem a bit awkward.
But this was an experiment, I think, in the fact that each act takes place in a different setting. First, the main characters are part of a circus, then they are farmers, then sailors. I'm not sure just what the point of this was - it almost seems like they are alternate versions of the characters - but as each one picks up where the last has left off, it's a little... weird. It definitely took me by surprise the first time it shifted, but I stuck with it. It's not like it was a huge time investment.
If the technical aspects of the story are removed, though, and we just look at the themes, it's the Steinbeck I've come to love. He writes about human emotion and need so convincingly, and understands the dynamics of relationship so well, that it's hard not to identify with his characters. I can't say that any of these characters are favorites - they have nothing on Tom Joad or Lenny and George, but they are well-written, understandable, identifiable characters that carry the story, each in their own way.
So, I don't think that Burning Bright will ever be a favorite of mine. But it is a decent story (if a bit... unusual) and one which has an interesting morality and ethical dilemma at its core. I'd definitely recommend it... but it's Steinbeck. Like that's a chore. ;)
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Add Burning Bright: A Play in Story Form, Four scenes, four people: the husband who yearns for a son, ignorant of his own sterility; the wife who commits adultery to fulfill her husband's wish; the father of the child; and the outsider whose actions will affect them all. In this novel of ext, Burning Bright: A Play in Story Form to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
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Add Burning Bright: A Play in Story Form, Four scenes, four people: the husband who yearns for a son, ignorant of his own sterility; the wife who commits adultery to fulfill her husband's wish; the father of the child; and the outsider whose actions will affect them all. In this novel of ext, Burning Bright: A Play in Story Form to your collection on WonderClub |
