The Prisoner of Second Avenue [Hardcover]

Neil Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1972

Comedy / Characters: 2 males, 4 females

Scenery: Interior

Mel Edison is a well paid executive of a high-end Manhattan firm which has suddenly hit the skids and he gets the ax. His wife Edna takes a job to tide them over, then she too is sacked. Compounded by the air-pollution killing his plants, and with the walls of the apartment paper-thin, allowing him a constant earfull of his neighbors private lives things can't seem to get any worse...then he's robbed and his psychiatrist dies with $23,000 of his money. Mel does the only thing left for him to do-he has a nervous breakdown and it's the best thing that ever happened to him...

"A gift for taking a grave subject and, without losing sight of its basic seriousness, treating it with hearty but sympathetic humor...A talent for writing a wonderful funny line...full of humor and intelligence. Fine fun."-New York Post

"Creates an atmosphere of casual cataclysm, an everyday urban purgatory of copelessness from which laughter seems to be released like vapor from the city's manholes."-Time

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha Mason, and other cast members performed this play for the L.A. Theatre Works audience shortly after a successful revival in London's West End. The story revolves around Mel and Edna Edison, trapped by circumstance in an apartment on Second Avenue, New York City, in 1974. Add a cellular phone or two, and it's life in 2000. Simon takes a good look at apartment life, career and role reversals, a nervous breakdown, and the love, torture, care, or inertia that somehow keeps a couple in a relationship for many years. At points, it's laugh-out-loud funny; at other times, it offers sensitive insight into the human condition. Fast-moving dialog with nonstop Simon quips and jokes performed extremely well by two fine actors: who could ask for more? This is classic American comedy produced, acted, recorded, and packaged in an exemplary manner. Sound effects, music, and simulated radio news broadcasts add to the atmosphere. Highly recommended for adult audiences and drama and theater collections.DCliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

"The actors are perfect for the play, the play is perfect for the actors..." -- The Financial Times, London

Dreyfuss and Mason "effortlessly convey the abrasions--and affection--of a longtime marriage." -- Variety --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 87 pages
• Publisher: Random House (September 12, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039448259X
• ISBN-13: 978-0394482590
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,033,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best pick., July 17, 2007

By 

E. Flatley "lilflats07" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prisoner of Second Avenue (Hardcover)

For those who may be taking Drama or Theatre courses, if that class requires you to have to analyze or write a synopsis of a play or drama, The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue is a plus. Simon wrote a funny with a dramatic twist and for those who need a monologue, The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue has a ton that work very well with judges as Ive been told, and as Ive learned. ITS A CLASSIC!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch, June 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Prisoner of Second Avenue -- starring Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason (Audio Theatre Series) (Audio Cassette)

I can see why The Prisoner of Second Avenue got a Grammy nomination. Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss have great chemistry and give top notch performances. A fabulous listen with plenty of laughs. Not to be missed!

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great well-thought play..., November 25, 2007

By 

Matt Fauls "passionate actor01" (Laguna Hills, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prisoner of Second Avenue (Hardcover)

A play written by Niel Simon is always expected to have some kind of comedy characters in them. This play is poisitvely one of those plays. Although, his characters go through struggles: such as keeping his own job, finding a job, or just getting exercise in the park. These characters are very depressing and fun to laugh with. The actual written words aren't funny, just the situations, which makes it that much more hilarious. This play only consists of two main characters and 4 cameo roles. Along with some one liner characters. I, myself, starred as Mr. edison (mel) in the LHHS poduction of The prisoner of second avenue. And let me tell you, the lines are very hard to get down. Although they are very smart, well thought out, and overall a great read/play/performance. GREAT COLLEGE/HIGHSCHOOL material for a festival, competition, or just a play that is going to be reviewed. Although i do warn you, it has A TON of cuss words.

B+ book/play