Customer Reviews

Arthur Miller's the Crucible (Barron's Book Notes)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I used this recording this year while teaching "The Crucible". My students loved it!! The emotion conveyed by the cast is SO much better than the typical monotone voice that students use while reading out loud. Even though there were some small parts that are skipped when following along with our textbook, it was completely worth it (and the parts skipped were very small - it was very easy to read it aloud if necessary).

The last time I read "The Crucible" was in high school back in the 1960s. Over the years I had forgotten much of what it was about, however it wasn't until I listened to the excellent production by L.A. Theatre Works that the raw emotions of this gripping story came to life.

As a few other reviewers here have suggested, this story works better as a play, not just a high school "textbook." I'd suggest that any students who have to read this book also take the time to listen to this recording.

My impression this time is that a merciless, judgmental religion is no true religion. I hope that young readers, or listeners, will realize that this is not the type of religion that Christ intended.

The L.A. Theatre Works' rendition of Miller's _The Crucible_ is an excellent demonstration of the actor's craft, as the tenor, pitch and emotive power of the play bring the characters to life. On the recommendation of Amazon reviewers, I used this for my English class (in addition to the Daniel Day-Lewis / Winona Rider DVD and a class read-around) to get a feel for the play and the various theatrical interpretations of the work.

As a previous reviewer noted, there are some differences between the audio version and Miller's script, but they are minor, and if one is not using the entire CD, a moot point. The performances are fantastic, and, as others have mentioned, it certainly gives life to the written word. Outside of a classroom, I couldn't recommend it, but as a teaching tool, it is first-rate.

This was supposed to be an unabridged version. It is not. Thus, the audio is not helpful when trying to use it while reading the play -- there is nothing like missing whole sections of the play while trying to find where the cast has skipped to next. Also, the way that the characters are interpreted make the Puritans out to be cartoonish. Perhaps, that is the way that some view the Puritans (or other highly religious people), however, when combined with some of Miller's lines (which can at times come across like a bad church play), the characters lack genuineness. As someone with a theater background, I kept on wondering what Abigail's character would be liked if played straight. Anyway, the main thing, be aware that you aren't buying the entire play.

I was hoping to use this in my 11th grade class to go along with the text of The Crucible, but there's just no way. The readers certainly do express the emotions in the scenes, but it's pretty overstated. Did they record this whole thing in a sauna, or something? Enough with the heavy breathing! If you just want to listen to it for your own purposes, it's great, but in a classroom, expect your students to feel awkward and make jokes about how some parts sound like a bad porno.

I started using Maxnotes as a beginning teacher, a few years back, so that I could catch up on some novels that I had never read in college. I was under the gun and had to provide lesson plans in 3 days on 5 novels I didn't know. Maxnotes saved me.

Now, some time later, I find myself referring back to those books and buying more of them. Am I still under the gun? No. These books, unlike like those charming ones from my college days, are well organized, insightful, and show a clear understanding of literary device.

I have found them so useful that I recommend them to teachers (both new and experienced). They provide perspectives I had never thought of, helpful questions, and practice essays I find myself using again and again.

This series is simply the most helpful and concise tool I have ever found. I have even taken to recommending this book to my students. I know bad teacher. However, using this text breakdown and summary along with side by side texts my students have improved their short and long term understanding of literature by remarkable amounts.

Dollar for dollar you can not go wrong with any of these books.

I bought this cd set to read the play along with my students. It's very theatrical and there are a lot of sound effects. The actors go so fast, that it's hard to follow along if you're reading the play. There's a lot of mumbling, sighing, heavy-breathing. Anyway, if you are wanting to just listen to it, this is a great purchase. If you want to read along, I would try a different cd set.

In this book, not only does Miller define a modern hero, but he also finds distinct parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and the Red Scare. The book shows an array of impressionable characters who will not only spark emotion in you, but will make you think. There is the everlasting struggle between Good and Evil, Personal belief and Broad interpretation, Individual and Society, and most importantly personal judgement. Could a similar circumstance happen again right here in America? Most definitely. Do people allow themselves to be suppressed and deceived? Absolutely. Does Miller allow his readers to see their selves, peers, and beliefs in a new light? Without a doubt. This book is a piece of history in more ways than one.

I purchased this book for my daughter's school assignment. Obviously the printer had some difficulties as there are a handful of pages barely legible. I would have returned it but need it now. I usually donate these books to school for future use but not this one. On a positive note; she is really enjoying the story.

I bought this to use with my basic 11th English class. It goes too fast, skips and rearranges lines, and is too hard to follow. At the end of one reading, several students left the class saying that they had no idea what the play was about so far.