Crimes of the Heart. [Paperback]

Beth Henley (Author), Beth Henley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

This Pulitzer Prize-winner is a deeply touching and funny play about three eccentric sisters from a small Southern town rocked by scandal when Babe, the youngest, shoots her husband. Humor and pathos abound as the sisters unite with an intense young lawyer to save Babe from a murder charge, and overcome their familys painful past. A BBC co-production.

A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Ray Baker, Donna Bullock, Arye Gross, Glenne Headly, Sondra Locke and Belita Moreno.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Drama in three acts by Beth Henley, produced in 1979 and published in 1982. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981. Set in a small Mississippi town, the play examines the lives of three quirky sisters who have gathered at the home of the youngest. During the course of the work the sisters unearth grudges, criticize each other, reminisce about their family life, and attempt to understand their mother's suicide years earlier. -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822202506
• ISBN-13: 978-0822202509
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > United States
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > General
  • #55 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > United States

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart play written with plenty of drama and black comedy., August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crimes of the Heart. (Paperback)

Upon first look, this play may seem silly and unreal. But, you can't help becoming absorbed into the life of a seemingly dysfunctional family of 3 sisters, their obnoxious cousin, a young lawyer caught in the middle, and a crippled old boyfriend. The story is wild and entertaining, yet dramatic and relatable. The only thing better than reading this piece is seeing it performed live.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic Mississippi Life, November 19, 1999

By 

"penhart" (Hazlehurst, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crimes of the Heart (Plays, Penguin) (Paperback)

Being a native Mississippian and also a native of Hazlehurst-the setting of the play- it amazing how realistic the play is about life in the South. Henley's play captures the essence of family relationships, that "crazy" person in everyone's family, the relationships between sisters as friends, and the narrow-mindedness of people in the South. Where else but in the South would a person commit suicide just because "they were having a bad day."

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beth Henley is the greatest!, May 1, 2000

By 

Christine Weiler (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crimes of the Heart (Plays, Penguin) (Paperback)

I just finished playing Lenny in a college production of this play. It was the most fun I've ever had in any role! I have two sisters myself, and Henley's depiction of that kind of relationship is incredibly real. There are some great scenes and monologues for acting practice, too--one, two, or three women, and a couple for one man and one woman. I recommend it to anyone.