Marisol and Other Plays [Paperback]

José Rivera (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

First major collection by a leading Hispanic-American playwright.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There was a period in the early 1990s when the Magic Realism of Jorge Luis Borges and the South American writers seemed to erupt into American theater like an exotic tropical flower taking over a wood lot. It also was the era of angels, which came to a climax in Tony Kushner's Angels in America. But the two trends intersected most gaudily in Jose Rivera's Marisol, the story of a young woman living in a terrifying inner-city wasteland who tries to maintain her faith that her Guardian Angel is protecting her. But one day her Guardian Angel appears with bad news. The angels are revolting against God, and Marisol will henceforth be on her own. This sets Marisol off on a surreal journey to find security and faith in a world bereft of either. A fascinating black fairy tale. Also in this volume: Each Day Dies With Sleep and the widely produced Cloud Tectonics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group; 1st edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559361360
• ISBN-13: 978-1559361361
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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 If only more playrights took these chances!, July 12, 2001

By 

dave-o (boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marisol and Other Plays (Paperback)

There's a quiet moment in "Cloud Tectonics" when Celestina, the lost pregnant innocent recites a love poem to the more worldly, slightly jaded male lead. She pours her love out to him in Spanish which, in true tragic fashion, he cannot understand. Each of these plays are about love, but not cliched. Its about sex, but not graphic. Its about art, but not pretension. He cries out to let us know New York, L.A., love, hope, and miracles exists outside of the facade of Hollywood and places dominated by collective commercial thought. Rivera seems angry with how race relations, interpersonal love, and culture in general is malformed by the intrusiveness of corporate agents. His anger never rants though and is carefully interwoven into the structure of the play. Having never seen one of his productions, I can only imagine his alternate worlds.

Viva la imaginación, Jose.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishingly Brilliant, July 20, 2000

By 

Goner (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marisol and Other Plays (Paperback)

Jose is one of the most brilliant playwrights of the 20th century. His ability for "magic realism" or whatever you would like to call it allows for some of the most honest, inspiring and beautiful writing I have ever experienced. I am so glad he writes for the stage....his plays are exactly what the theatre needs!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant, October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Marisol and Other Plays (Paperback)

marisol tackles a lot of issues regarding the human spirit and its vulnerablity. it also touches on issues of religion and its place in our lives. i've never been a person to see or even read plays but i was absolutely and am still absolutely impressed with this play. it is beautifully written. and if you live near or in a big city its theme touches home.