Hands Around (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Arthur Schnitzler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 1995 | Series: Dover Thrift Editions

Theatrical classic, filmed by famed director Max Ophüls as La Ronde, unfolds in a series of 10 interlinked scenes between 2 people who are about to make love. One of the lovers in each scene returns to partner a different lover in the next, until the encounters come full circle.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 3, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486287246
• ISBN-13: 978-0486287249
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,550,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful short play on promiscuity, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hands Around (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

Though the last reveiw was good enough to compel me to read this play, the writer is a bit off. Hands Around involves 10 people who each have affairs with two lovers. Each scene involves the dialouge between the lovers before and after they have sex. It starts with the "girl of the streets", who has sex with a soldier, who forces himself upon the maid, who is suduced by the young man, etc. and ends with the girl of the streets... I found the play not only intruiging because of its bold approach torwards promiscuity but also because of the time it was written; 1890. It was only first publicly presented in the 20's and even then was condemed for the scandal it created. I read this in one sitting, first because it's short and you could easily finish it in under an hour, but also because I couldn't put it down. If this play is ever performed near where I live, I will have to see it. Everyone should have the privledge of enjoying this work and now that it's in dover-thirft editions you can get it for less than a what a sandwich might cost you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The dance of lust, May 22, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hands Around (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

Arthur Schnitzler's play "Hands Around" was first published in 1897, but (according to the brief prefatory note in the Dover edition), its controversial nature prevented it from being performed until 1920. The Dover edition contains an English translation of the play.

"Hands Around" is a cycle of ten dialogues, each of which is linked to the previous and following dialogue through one or the other speaker. Thus, "The Girl of the Streets and the Soldier" is followed by "The Soldier and the Parlor-Maid," which is in turn followed by "The Parlor-Maid and the Young Man," etc. The couple in each dialogue is about to have, or has just had, a sexual encounter.

Through his characters, the Vienna-born Schnitzler holds up a harsh mirror to the dishonesty, hypocrisy, and loneliness of life. There are some passages of truly dark cynicism. Consider this statement of "the Count" to "the Actress": "Happiness? There really is no such thing as happiness. All the things that people talk about most, don't exist... for instance, love."

Schnitzler paints a rather bleak portrait of human nature. His characters' disturbing inner lives are ironically complemented by surroundings that are either sadly shabby or elegantly decadent. Overall, "Hands Around" is a fascinating, if uneven, work of European theater.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, imaginative, simple, compelling., October 16, 1998

By 

Rob G. (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands Around (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

It was a pleasure to read this short play that involves 8 people whose affairs or near-affairs link to each other. (For example, A is the wife of B who is in love with the chambermaid C who has a passioa for businessman D who is still lonely and seeks out prositiute E....etc.) The writing is clear and concise, and full of tension and erotic suggestion. For eighty cents, this is the best bargain in the entire Amazon catalog.