Customer Reviews

Harold and Maude: A Play in Two Acts

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a beautiful story, where the old cliche, "it made me laugh, it made me cry" is realized. The writing style is simple and straightforward, the dialogue is enlightening, and the dramatic turns are both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Harold and Maude, the novel, begged to made into a movie, and the author, Colin Higgins, must have had dramatic aspirations when he wrote this. So they made a movie out of this, one of the greatest movies of all time. The power and basically everything worthwhile in the film comes from this book (not negating the acting of Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, or Vivian Pickles, who are all fantastic), from which Higgins later culled his screenplay. If anything, the experience of reading the novel may have some advantages over watching the film. It is quick and to the point, nothing is drawn out, and any extemporaneous extractions of theme or mood are left to the reader. Read the novel, see the movie, read or watch a staging of the play. Colin Higgins will be remembered for writing Harold and Maude the movie, but his great contribution to literature and mankind was first writing the book. This life-affirming novel needs to be in stock. Especially when there is so much other garbage overflowing the bookstore shelves.

As I look at the sales rank of this play, I wonder if anyone will actually see this review. Oh well, this play was written after the short story and movie versions this offbeat story of life, love, and, especially, life. It is a little different because it was written for the stage and some of the things that happen in the film or short story cannot be expressed on the stage. Either way, though, it still retains its charm and ability to uplift through its general originality and excellence. This is my favorite story and I recommend it to everyone. I see that some might think I'm overreacting or generalizing too much, but trust me on this one. Go see the movie and buy this play (for it seems to be out of print but amazon.com still is able to obtain leftover copies).

If e'er there was a script that could serve as a litany for the development of human thought and the slow evolution of the human spirit, this is it. Harold and Maude manages to capture and encapsulate the ultimate arguement of modern man, the individual versus institutions.....does society exist to serve the individual or are we all pawns of the society we have created? And are we obliged to subscribe?

Here is a novel that, as simple as it is, seems the succinct statement of the universal free spirit. Colin Higgins gave a rare power to his lovers; the supporting menagerie of hypocrites and the chimera of convention add color. As a love story, as a lively, hellraising entertainment, as a serious intellectual endeavor, Harold and Maude is stunning.

The power contained within these 145 pages is astounding; even more so is the fact that there are not shelves of this book on display at your local Barnes and Noble. Colin Higgins' master stroke, with lovable characters, glimmering humor, and astute social commentary, should be required reading for the entire human race. Instead, it sank into obscurity, the author with it. Whatever remote shores Mr. Higgins washed up on, get the word out: We want more.

This is one of the most original, entertaining works I've ever read. As a companion piece to the movie, it's a real find.

Anyone who's seen the movie will enjoy this book. Anyone who loves the movie will RELISH this book. As it turns out, the movie was very true to the original novel.

I've loved the movie (and Cat Stevens) for years. But I never KNEW there was an original novel, "Harold & Maude," until it jumped out at me from a public library shelf recently. What a treasure find! I don't want to give it back! I need to order my own copy. It's a classic and should be on any music/film lover's bookshelf.

At 145 pages, it's a quick, easy read, with clear concise prose, and funny, spot-on dialogue, touching and wise.

The only way I noticed that the book differs from the movie was the fact it had no CS music in it (surprise!). Instead of singing "Sing Out" in Maude's trailer, Harold and Maude sing a song that goes (in part) like this:

"A robin's chirp is the song of the morn/the nightingale blows an evenin' horn/a peacock's trill is a thrill stillborn/but the cuck-cuck-cuckoo SINGS THE LIVELONG DAY!"

A sweet, gentle, beautiful and unique story! Absolutely perfect in every way. I wish I could give it 6 stars.

It was a very good book, because it had a bit of everything, it was funny, sad, strange and amazing. It was full of surprises and there were so many things to learn about life. I really liked it. I also very enjoyed see the film - it was marvelous! In company with the film, the book is much easier to understand. There was Maude who showed Harold the sunny side of live and otherwise there was Harolds mother who thaught she knew him better than Harold himself. The good side has won. Thanks Maude who helped him to liberate himself from his mother and to go his own way... it was a brilliant story!

I enjoyed reading Harold and Maude because it's a funny story. Although the
book isn't very exciting it's still worth reading. Maude's lifestyle should
make us think about our own daily habits and about why we do all the
things we do. I found quite interesting that Maude seems to be a kind
person in the book although we would probably all hate her for the things
like stealing a car she does.
In my opinion a bad aspect about the book is the fact that after reading a while you
aren't really surprised at what's coming next.
All in all I can recommend Harold and Maude because it's a funny book.

What a beautiful story, where the old cliche, "it made me laugh, it made me cry" is realized. The writing style is simple and straightforward, the dialogue is enlightening, and the dramatic turns are both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Harold and Maude, the novel, begged to made into a movie, and the author, Colin Higgins, must have had dramatic aspirations when he wrote this. So they made a movie out of this, one of the greatest movies of all time. The power and basically everything worthwhile in the film comes from this book (not negating the acting of Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, or Vivian Pickles, who are all fantastic), from which Higgins later culled his screenplay. If anything, the experience of reading the novel may have some advantages over watching the film. It is quick and to the point, nothing is drawn out, and any extemporaneous extractions of theme or mood are left to the reader. Read the novel, see the movie, read or watch a staging of the play. Colin Higgins will be remembered for writing Harold and Maude the movie, but his great contribution to literature and mankind was first writing the book. This life-affirming novel needs to be in stock. Especially when there is so much other garbage overflowing the bookstore shelves.