Reviews for The Broadview Anthology of Drama, Concise Edition

The average rating for The Broadview Anthology of Drama, Concise Edition based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-02-14 00:00:00 James Lee The joyous Juan has left the world, The sad Juan is his heir. - Lenau A long read, but well worth the time. Oscar Mandel writes beautifully, and this book always kept my interest. I originally bought this book for the only English translation of Christian Grabbe's Don Juan and Faust (as Oscar Mandel explains, Faust is another similar legend, imbued with the essence of one drive, another character born of a similar time who lives over multiple books and works). This book is full of plays, and analysis of the different versions of Don Juan. In every version he is a legendary seducer. Completely amoral, but never lacking in courage, he takes what he wants by any means. He starts off as a force of nature, becoming over the centuries he a philosopher, a rebel, until sadness and disillusionment are thrust upon him in the twentieth century renditions. He gains a soul, but loses much of what makes him a legend. It's fascinating to read so many versions of the play and see what works in each one. The energy and the banquet scene of Tirso de Molina, the humanity of Molière. No version is perfect, but they all have their moments. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the legend of Don Juan. Full plays translated and included are: The Playboy of Seville or Supper with a Statue - Tirso de Molina Don John; or The Libertine - Molière The Libertine - Thomas Shadwell Don Juan and Don Pietro or the Dead Stone's Banquet (A puppet play from Augsburg) The Punished Libertine or Don Giovanni - Lorenzo da Ponte Don Juan and Faust - Christian Dietrich Grabbe Giovanni in London or the Libertine Reclaimed - William T. Moncrieff Don Juan Tenorio - Jose Zorrilla y Moral The Last Night of Don Juan - Edmond Rostand There are also scenes from Man and Superman (Shaw), Don Juan (Henry de Montherlant), and Don Juan or the Love of Geometry (Max Frisch).

Review # 2 was written on 2009-09-25 00:00:00 Ivy Holloway Ok, well it's an anthology - so I haven't actually read all of it. It is a terrific anthology for this subject. Plenty of works and great notes.