The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

J. M. Synge (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Thrift Editions | Publication Date: May 12, 1993

Two dramas set among the folk of the Aran Islands and western Irish coastlands. The Playboy of the Western World deals with a hero's progress, from timid weakling to paragon of bravery. Riders to the Sea is an elegy to those who live at the mercy of the sea. Includes Synge's preface to The Playboy of the Western World.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J M Synge --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (May 12, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486275620
• ISBN-13: 978-0486275628
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > British & Irish > General
  • #50 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great plays capturing the harshness of Synge's era, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

First off, I write in favor of the works of Synge; yet, I find it unfortunate that Amazon is not offering a better version than the Dover Thrift. Synge's symbolism will pull you in and embrace you and warm out to his style. John Millington Synge was a lover of words and dialect, he even says that he only used words that he heard being used in Ireland. Both of these plays are well written and full of symbolism. For the serious love of Irish Literature or drama, J.M. Synge is a must. Read on...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Champion of western Ireland - Extraordinary!, March 14, 2009

By 

Ted Byrd - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

The paucity of reviews given to this edition of two of Synge's most famous works shows that his achievements have fallen victim to neglect. Its true that the worlds pictured in these two short dramas are couched in terms that are strange and unfamiliar to our contemporary, homogenized urban worldview. They hark back to a time and place in which local humanity was not defined by sociological stereotypes, but by the extremes of individuality and personality color activated by a difficult, at times harsh, yet beautiful natural environment.

The dramatic setting, of the western coast of Ireland, is unique and so, too, are the customs and attitudes of the players. But if we look beyond the piquancy of character personality, it can be seen they are ultimately motivated by the universal human attributes featured by more famous playwrights, such as Shakespeare.

It is this pungent Irish flavoring which seems to somewhat obscure the deeper, more general relevance of its themes. For instance the title of the first work, Playboy of the Western World, is ,in itself, probably enough to discourage prospective readers. To my mind, at least, it brings up a picture of some sort of frivolous farce. Though the play does perhaps have frivolous elements, that is a device which helps us to perceive the absurdity of behaviors which may be collectively accepted without question within a particular culture. In fact, "Playboy" in the vernacular of this group means "champion", and "the Western World" was western Ireland.

In this play Synge showed the polar aspects of the rural Irish peasant's love of bold and fantastic stories told in colorful, heroic language. While this full-toned perception of life has vibrancy and brilliance, it can lead to a concentration on the superficial and obvious, while ignoring the more realistic and sensible. But in this story of the local rise of a hero, his fall from grace, and subsequent rehabilitation, we see that most of the factors which caused these transitions of popular opinion were due to preconceived notions and prejudices inherent in the minds of the populace. Fickleness of public opinion, vanity , arrogance,, and loutish behavior as a perpetuated tradition are shown as the parodied underside of what is perceived by the locals as a grand, heroic, entertaining tale.

Many of Synge's contemporaries greatly resented this deflating view of Irish glamor, and actual riots took place where it was presented in Dublin. But it is nevertheless also a fact that the language of this play is lyrical, variegated and extremely expressive. The beauty of its imagery and the droll biting wit of its figures of speech enlarge the total experience of the story by bringing into our consciousness a much wider view of the place and people than what is contained merely in the plot.

"Riders to the Sea", the second play, is only a few pages in length. But in my opinion, it is a somber masterpiece which in those few pages conveys more about the harsh human struggle for existence which throughout history has been the common lot, than many novels of great length have accomplished.

In my recollections of these two plays, there are many scenes that stand out with clarity, and the craftsmanship of writing has left me with the impression that there was not a superfluous bit of dialog in either. These are strange stories in contrast to modern industrialized cultural habits and biases, and for that very reason I think that they are valuable not only as literary achievements but as a stimulus to see our own world with more perspective.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Important Play, Dry Read, August 2, 2001

By 

"umd_cyberpunk" (MA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

It is undeniable that J.M. Synge was a very important Irish playwright of the early 20th century. These plays, especially, "Playboy of the Western World," are pivotal to Irish literature, and now, Irish culture. Any serious student of British drama, or actor should read both of these plays.

On the other hand, it may not be an ideal idea for someone that does not fall into one of those two catagories. The dialectic style is very thick, and at times difficult to understand. "Playboy," an important (and early) Irish peasant drama is beautifully writen, but for a casual reader it would probably come off as a slow read that is not all that entertaining.

Important work from cultural and recent historical perspectives, but these plays are very dated and, as I mentioned, not the most entertaining read.