The Understudy [Paperback]

Elia Kazan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1986

THE UNDERSTUDY swirls through a wealth of environments: the Broadway stage, a mind-blown safari in east Africa, a Hollywood film studio, a closing-night cast party in Boston, New York's underworld and its straight analog, the television industry.

Drawing on his experience as a director, Elia Kazan enhances the meaning of "arrangement" to encompass the sexual accommodations most people live by...and lie about.

Kazan's films have become classics. VIVA ZAPATA!, EAST OF EDEN and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE secured his reputation, and he won Academy Awards for GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT and ON THE WATERFRONT.

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

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

9 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Stein & Day Paperback (April 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812881931
• ISBN-13: 978-0812881936
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enthralling Book, February 19, 2002

By 

Noah Lambert "Noah Lambert" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Understudy (Paperback)

This is a great book about 50's Broadway. I would highly recommend getting this book for your library. Kazan is a wonderful author who is able to paint amazing characters and amazing scenes into each page of his books. The Understudy is one of his best books along with Assassins; I would highly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enthralling Book, February 19, 2002

By 

Noah Lambert "Noah Lambert" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Understudy (Paperback)

This is a great book about 50's Broadway. I would highly recommend getting this book for your library. Kazan is a wonderful author who is able to paint amazing characters and amazing scenes into each page of his books. The Understudy is one of his best books along with Assassins; I would highly recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining novel, September 19, 2006

By 

Charles - Music Lover (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Understudy (Paperback)

Kazan draws from his own life and experiences in this entertaining novel set in the wilds of Broadway and Africa. He is a good writer who knows how to propel the story forward. If you read his autobiography before this novel, you'll recognize some of the scenarios. I am always impressed by Kazan's ability to critically self-analyze his motivations (both in his autobiography and in the novel's main character). This was the first of Kazan's novels that I read and I am going to read "The Arrangement" next.

In his writing, I perceive a man striving for honesty and self-understanding. From a review standpoint, the book is fast-paced and rates 4 stars. If it had been more tightly edited in some sections, it would have rated 5 stars. Nevertheless, the two main characters are strongly drawn and unforgettable.