The Way of the World and Other Plays (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

William Congreve (Author), Eric S. Rump (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: August 29, 2006

The wittiest of a renowned playwright's masterful comedies

A master of the comedy of manners, William Congreve was the most elegant of the Restoration dramatists. With piercing accuracy, he depicted the shallow world of "society," where the right artifice in manners, fashion, and conversation-and money-eased the passage to success.
*?Also includes The Old Bachelor, The Double Dealer, and Love for Love

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Congreve (1670-1729) established his reputation at the age of twenty-three with The Old Bachelor.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141441852
• ISBN-13: 978-0141441856
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such Wit, November 17, 2007

By 

Page Hudson (Williston, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of the World and Other Plays (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Like many reviewers I begin by noting Congreve is not Shakespeare. But he has nearly as much splendor and resonance, in a narrower vein, perhaps, but not less wonderful than much that the Bard wrote. 'Love for Love' is witty, urbane and silky smooth. The characters are stiffer than Shakespeare's, but Congreve writes to different conventions and uses them to reach us, his readers or viewers, more personally than one would think possible. Congreve reaches brilliant heights of humor and language. As usual, this Penguin edition is good quality and good value. If you know Congreve through other works, this is the writer at his best.... Enjoy.