Clifford Odets - American Playwright: The Years from 1906-1940 (Applause Books) [Paperback]

Margaret Brenman-Gibson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Clifford Odets through his plays, which include "Waiting for Lefty" and "Awake" and "Sing!", was the champion of the oppressed, avenger for the poor. He and his plays, as presented by the influential Group Theatre, were the conscience of America during the Depression. Author Margaret Brenman-Gibson, a respected psychoanalyst and close personal friend, penned what is considered the classic biography of Odets. Based on exhaustive research, including access to his personal papers, plus her own insights into the man and his career, it is at last back in prtin. The book is richly annotated, with a thorough bibliography, personal chronology, a list of Odets' works, published and unpublished, and a section of rare photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Psychologist Brenman-Gibson offers a profile of Odets that is more psychological than critical. LJ's reviewer commented that she leaves the literary criticism to "theater reviewers of the 1930s" and instead analyzes Odets's plays the way Freud interpreted dreams, "to reveal their latent content and to give a glimpse into the creative process." This remains "highly recommended" (LJ 10/15/81).
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books; annotated edition edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557834571
• ISBN-13: 978-1557834577
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,446 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and Insightful, June 8, 2010

By 

Mark Mezadourian (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clifford Odets - American Playwright: The Years from 1906-1940 (Applause Books) (Paperback)

Margaret Brenman-Gibson was the perfect person to write this amazing book. She knew Odets personally, as her husband (the playwright William Gibson) was a student of his at The Actors Studio. She was a therapist married to an artist, so she brings an amazingly insightful perspective to Odets complex life. Odets is such a fascinating figure, and this book really lets you get to know him, as he is presented lovingly, critically and most importantly, with humor.

This is, hands down, the best biography I've ever read (out of hundreds). I am sorry that Mrs. Brenman-Gibson passed away before she could write the 2nd book, from 1941 on.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars scattered, March 4, 2009

By 

Soonie C. Makaena "getting there" (california) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Clifford Odets - American Playwright: The Years from 1906-1940 (Applause Books) (Paperback)

i love the playwright and i am glad i bought this book.
In that i am an amatuer writer with a BFA in Fine Art my learnings cause me to want 'strong idea' of whom i am educating myself too. Reading through pages of this bio, i keep seeking 'floor' of Odets. I get his sojourn, and thats it.