Flower Drum Song [Paperback]

David Henry Hwang (Author), Richard Rodgers (Author), Oscar Hammerstein II (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1559362227 | ISBN-13: 978-1559362221 | Publication Date: May 1, 2003

"A funny and clever radical revision of the 1958 Broadway hit."—Time magazine

"An artistic success, revealing a revitalized score and a dramatic complexion that’s far richer than the original."—Variety

"One of the Year’s 10 Best."—Los Angeles Times

One of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most compelling love stories is re-made enchantingly in a new adaptation by the renowned Asian-American playwright, David Henry Hwang. This new version was a runaway hit last year in Los Angeles and now is playing on Broadway. Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late fifties, this is a funny and moving story which explores what it means to be an American and touches the history of every person whose forebearers once arrived as a stranger to these shores. The book also includes an essay by cultural critic Karen Wada on the history of Flower Drum Song and its relationship to the Asian-American community.

David Henry Hwang was awarded the 1988 Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and John Gassner Awards for his Broadway debut, M. Butterfly, which was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent play Golden Child received a Tony nomination and a 1997 OBIE Award.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Flower Drum Song comes roaring back as if it were brand new... Always entertaining, frequently affecting... relevant without getting weighed down by political correctness... It is a work of bravery and intelligence and real faith in the possibilities of musical theatre" Time; "Part fashion show, part night-club act, part hymn to Asian American diversity, Flower Drum Song's intelligence may be rooted in Asian American cultural contradictions, but its heart belongs to Broadway" John Lahr, New Yorker"

About the Author

David Henry Hwang is the author of "M. Butterfly" (1988 Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle awards; Pulitzer Prize finalist), "Golden Child" (1998 Tony nomination; 1997 Obie Award), "FOB" (1981 Obie Award), "The Dance and the Railroad" (1982 Drama Desk nomination), "Family Devotions" (1982 Drama Desk nomination), "Sound and Beauty", "Bondage" and "Flower Drum Song" (2002 revival; Tony nomination).

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559362227
• ISBN-13: 978-1559362221
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Before Amy Tan there was Ching Yang Lee, January 5, 2003

By 

Eunice "book lover" (Lake Mary, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Flower Drum Song (Paperback)

I read this book many years ago and enjoyed so much that I have read everything I could find by Mr. Lee, and since then other Chinese American authors.

It is a shame that for so many years the book was rejected by young Asian Americans as being "too white face" or "Uncle Tom" as it is not so at all. C.Y. Lee was a Chinese immigrant and wrote of the society as he saw it at that time, which is not the way the younger generation, who did not live through the immigrant experience, want to see it. This is not unusual, many well schooled, well fed sucessful Americans do not want to know that their grandparents arrived in steerage with their belongings tied up in kit bag, unable to speak the language, and worked 18 hours a day in menial jobs so that their children could get ahead.

This is a poignant story of Chinese immigrant families in Southern California during the days of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the difficulty the young American-raised men had in finding a wife. They were not allowed to bring women in from China, and they were not permitted to marry non Asians. Because of the Communist takeover, many Chinese who had dreamed of returning home to China when they retired after working all their lives were unable to do so. The situtation created an artifically stressed society. The book has tragedy and sadness, as well as hope and joy.

My only criticism of the novel, and a mild one at that, is that it frequently reads like a play script, especially in the last chapter, where there is a lot of dialogue, followed by descriptions of the action which read like stage directions. It is possible that the novel was orignally intended to be a play.

Warning, possible spoiler:

The musical version of the book which was also filmed was very loosely based on the novel, in fact one of the major characters was created for the musical. Apparently this has been done again with the new version playing on Broadway. Readers expecting to find a printed version of the musical may be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stands the test of time, August 27, 2002

By 

"Weighting" no more! (Los Angels, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Flower Drum Song (Paperback)

Originally published in 1957, this poignant and charming novel tells of a young man's struggle to fit in. Love, family and all the ups and downs that go with them are told with bittersweet humor. Its re-release is a wonderful companion to David Henry Hwang's new theatrical book which revives the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical on Broadway this year. Hurrah!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming, November 3, 1999

By 

Mei-Ling - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flower Drum Song (Hardcover)

My mother has always told me of a beautiful Rogers & Hammerstein musical called "Flower Drum Song". I bought the CD and found it simply splendid. However, my appreciation of the musical has only been enhanced by reading the novel it was based on by the author CY Lee. The story follows the intrigues of a Chinese emigrant family living in San Fransisco. It is romantic, in parts funny and a pleasure to read. I thoroughly recommend it.