Biloxi Blues [Paperback]

Neil Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 2010

Full Length, Comic Drama / Casting: 6m, 2f / Scenery: Various sets

Tony Award Best Play 1985

The second in Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Neil Simon's trilogy which began with Brighton Beach Memoirs and concluded with Broadway Bound. When we last met Eugene Jerome, he was coping with adolescence in 1930's Brooklyn. Here, he is a young army recruit during WW II, going through basic training and learning about Life and Love with a capital 'L' along with some harsher lessons, while stationed at boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1943.

"A fine comedy, and another step in the process of making Simon neither so simple, nor so simplistic."-New York Post

"Joyous and unexpectedly rewarding."-The New York Times

"A play that rings with a newer, deeper, sweeter truth."-New York magazine

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Biloxi Blues continues Simon's dramatization, begun in Brighton Beach Memoirs , of Eugene Morris Jerome's adolescence and young manhood. The sequel follows Eugene and his fellow recruits through basic training at an Army base in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1943. Eugene's rite of passage has its basis in the playwright's own experiences. One expects humor from this writer and is not disappointed, but a more sober side is also revealed. The script is after all about a young man's education in the real world, and the reader is always aware of the fearful adventure awaiting the recruits. Though its form and theme break no new ground, the play evokes a nostalgic feeling for its period and elicits genuine response to its characters. The winner of the Tony award for best play in 1985, this belongs in most public and academic libraries. Theodore O. Wohlsen, Jr., Connecticut State Lib., Hartford
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Joyous and unexpectedly rewarding! --New York Times --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Samuel French, Inc.; an original screenplay edition (August 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0573690405
• ISBN-13: 978-0573690402
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of the writer as a young soldier, October 5, 2010

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Biloxi Blues (Paperback)

Despite Simon's reputation among some of the literati, this is not merely "theater that works." There are plenty of chuckles, but Simon manages to score some worthwhile points--about the "sanity" of army regulations; homophobia and its victims; anti-Semitism (even among those of the same heritage); questions about authorship and the rights, privileges and "authority" of the writer; and, perhaps above all, insensitive treatment of one's "own" that equals if not exceeds the animus directed toward the "declared" enemy. At the same time, the characters, at least by this time, are all fairly stereotypical "types," which places squarely on the shoulders of the actors the challenge of bringing each to life, individualizing them in the process.

The play, to my mind, could be reduced by 20 minutes without harm to the characters or themes. (The soldier who is court-marshalled on the charge of committing a deviant sexual act is required, following the sergeant's orders, to take literally minutes of the spectator's time as he suits up in view of his company--a protracted silent space that, while intended to emphasize the drama of his public humiliation, soon evokes more impatience and boredom than drama.)

Simon misses an opportunity to score a point for women by not having the prostitute and the idealistic "girl next door" (i.e. the one who is "the love of every young man's life") played by the same actress. Since she is little more than a symbol in both cases, using the same actress for both roles would emphasize the point that the difference between the prostitute and the virgin is a property belonging not as much to either character as to the eye of the beholder (and, no doubt, the eyes of the audience as well).

After most Simon plays that I've seen--as enjoyable, and frequently well-intended, as they are--I'm left asking the question: what was the main point? the purpose? the "thesis"?

This play was no exception.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neil Simon uses comedy to it's fulist, May 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Biloxi Blues (Hardcover)

I feel that neil simon is one of the best playwrights ever. His play Biloxi Blues shows his talent to express what he knows most about comedy. I'm not much of a reader but I give this play a thumbs up definetly!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Like M*A*S*H but for real, February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Biloxi Blues (Hardcover)

Biloxi Blues was the second of the 'Memoir' trilogy that I read. I laughed out loud most of the time which is odd. Usually when an author is trying to be funny...it's not. Simon can express his sense of humor in a way that is actually humorous. I didn't know it could be done! I'm not an avid reader, and maybe it's because of this lack of humanity and stupidity that I am repelled. I plan to finnish this trilogy as soon as I can get my hands on 'Broadway Bound.' "HO!"