The Perfectionist and Other Plays [Audio CD]

Joyce Carol Oates (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2007

From one of America's foremost novelists and short story writers comes a stunning new collection of plays, consisting of two full-length plays--THE PERFECTIONIST, nominated for a 1994 American Theatre Critics Award, and BLACK--and nine one-act plays. Charged with tension, menace, and the shock of the unexpected, these dramas showcase yet another dimension of Joyce Carol Oates's extraordinary talent.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The highly acclaimed novelist and short story writer is also a very skillful dramatist, as is evident in this stimulating collection of ten one-and two-act plays. "The Perfectionist" takes an incisive look under the skin of a highly respected, middle-aged workaholic who doesn't really know his own family or himself until he meets an exotic and passionate young woman. "Here She Is" is a scathing and memorable parody of a Miss America pageant that counts a thirtysomething housewife and a transvestite among the contestants. With two other play collections in print (e.g., Twelve Plays, LJ 10/15/91; Three Plays, LJ 12/1/80), Oates's dramatic production is catching up with her narrative output. Recommended for all contemporary drama collections.
Howard E. Miller, Alliance Blue Cross & Blue Shield Lib., St. Louis
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Every now and then a novelist ventures onto the stage. Usually the affair ends badly, but Oates is the exception. During the past decade, the prolific fiction writer has established herself as a startling, original, highly versatile playwright who changes her style and tone as often as Oates the novelist. This new collection of her plays displays her full range. In Here She Is, which sends up the Miss America Pageant, we have Oates the satirist. In The Perfectionist, about an annoyingly anal-retentive executive and his dysfunctional family, we have Oates the Gurneyesque writer of mannered comedies. And in Homesick, about a serial killer and his victim, we have Oates the chilling chronicler of America's dark side. Some of these plays may leave readers vaguely unsatisfied; Oates doesn't always penetrate to the heart of the matter. But even in the weakest of her plays (e.g., the absurdist trifle The Interview, which sends up the celebrity-mad press), there is an interesting idea or two to chew on. Jack Helbig --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: La Theatre Works (February 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580810136
• ISBN-13: 978-1580810135
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,835,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joyce Carol Oates is the author of more than 70 books, including novels, short story collections, poetry volumes, plays, essays, and criticism, including the national bestsellers We Were the Mulvaneys and Blonde. Among her many honors are the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction and the National Book Award. Oates is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University, and has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars marvelous, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfectionist and Other Plays (Hardcover)

I find it impossible not to sustain a love affair with a writer of such forward and emotional pieces. I am currently directing "The Sacrifice," and I must say that the theatre is better for Joyce Carol Oates' contribution.

5.0 out of 5 stars Oates reaches into the deepesst part of your soul., June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfectionist: And Other Plays (Paperback)

I am a recent High School graduate who is a huge Joyce Carol Oates fan! I was involved in Oral Interp and my first dramatic monologue was the Orange. My senior year I stumbled upon Homesick and used Pinktoes as my dramatic monologue. This piece really brought out deep emotion and I cannot possibly describe my affection for it. Pinktoes is more than just a young prostitute/victim, she is every young girl who has messed up and found herself alone. She is a strong young woman who holds her head proud in the midst of a society who deems her worthless. She asks her audience to look beyond who she was but to the possibility of who she could have been. For the Longhorn district I received third place overall at the National Qaulifier with this piece. It is often misunderstood and many look past its depth and true meaning but it is definately worth the read!!!

4.0 out of 5 stars Look for 'Pinktoes', November 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfectionist: And Other Plays (Paperback)

I have seen the piece 'Pinktoes', from this collection, performed. It's wonderfully disturbing, and amazing. The piece is a two-act, two character play, and is fantastic. Great for auditions, or performance.