Customer Reviews

Pygmalion (Enriched Classics Series)

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George Bernard Shaw uses of wit and insight into England's 1800s arrogant class system to show class is not bred, but made, and the highest class of people see no class at all, being humble enough to know we are equals. Shaw's "Pygmalion" was not written just to add to his wallet with its publication, but to influence society, much the same as Charles Dickens "Oliver Twist" and "David Copperfield" have.

As fun as the musical, "My Fair Lady" is, read Shaw's take on this old Greek myth.

From the plot of whether or not a pauper can made a princess to the subplot of love and true romance, the story is intertwined with memorable characters, delightful banter and intriguing thoughts.

Shaw's understanding of English's accents and how these separated the masses (do they still?) causes me in America to wonder if my Chicago-istic pronunciations affect how I am seen. What about African-American accents, or the New England accents? Does a Kentucky girl's accent come across as higher or lower class than her Alabama neighbors? How do I see others? Am I as affected?

Drop down a little cash, sneak this book into a larger order, and read, "Pygmalion." Review Edith Hamilton's book on mythology, discover who Shaw refers to (as in Galatea and Pygmalion, a fascinating story in its own right).

I fully recommend "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw.

Anthony Trendl
http://HungarianBookstore.com

I'll admit that before reading this for a British literature course at uni, I had no clue that this was the original play to spawn My Fair Lady. And upon reading the extra information, I was surprised and a little nervous about this. What if the play wasn't as good as the film in which I had grown up with? Luckily, it didn't disappoint once I began reading. The play is lovely in terms of spunk and comedy, not to mention that the ending is, in my opinion, much more believable than what the film was changed to (really now, it's much more likely in real life that she would go on her own way). I really enjoyed that this particular book included extra information about the author and notes about the actual lines and contexts. It helped really get you into the early 20th century mindset.

If you are a professor or teacher who wants to include Pygmalion into your curriculum, I highly recommend this edition. It's informative, and your students should enjoy the short length and also the story.

Pygmalion is possibly the greatest conceived parody of class structure in all of literature. It speaks to the inherent value of human beings and the capriciousness of their circumstances in a way that has made it a classic and a much imitated work. If you haven't read the original you are missing a great experience.

I was surprised. There is a lot in the play about women and women rights, the underprivileged and their rights, but mostly it is a wonderful story about a stuffy old fart and a truely marvelous woman.

The original is much better than the popular version. My opinion. Except the music was fun in the movie... The details of what happens next, was great. Prof. Higgins was not a man to ever wed. This changed the whole experience.

This book is very useful and interesting. One can learn a lesson from the story as well.