Customer Reviews

Writing in Restaurants

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There are some really great essays in this book, especially if you're a person who loves the theater. Much like "True and False", this book takes aim at problems plaguing America's theater. His best essays in here are for actors - they inspire and reclaim some of the art's dignity.

Also, if you're like me, you can appreciate his essay in here on pool halls. I've never seen anyone nail why they're such great places to visit like he does in this book.

This isn't his best work. But it's a pleasant read nonetheless. Worth the time.

As a sometime admirer, but not exactly a fan of, David Mamet's theater work, I wasn't sure how much I'd care for this short collection of essays. I'm very glad I took the chance. Mamet writes clearly and firmly. He's the opposite of dogmatic. He can be harsh but he can also be thoughtful. Most of these essays are on theater related topics but not all. My favorite was the one on The Cherry Orchard.

To sum up - many short, intellectually stimulating, essays written by a guy who knows how to grab a reader.

Note - Mamet's other essay collection, Jafsie and John Henry is similarly excellent. If you liked this you'll probably like that. Also, it's subject matter is a little more diverse.

Pull up a chair at your favorite sidewalk cafe's, order a latte or a spicy red Zin, and let our finest, living, American playwright tell you...well, whatever he's thinking about today. Here the master storyteller is opinionated (though not a bit condescending or patronizing), thoughtful, and ever-fascinating.

You will laugh, learn, and be encouraged to think out loud on paper.(Write something!) This is a book to be kept "out" (not tucked away on a shelf collecting dust and disinterest.) I carry it in my day bag for a month-at-a-time, leave it on the end table in the "living room" of my loft to read in between salad and the evening movie, or just setting on top of my old, leather-bound dictionary (in my "writing lounge") along with Mr. Chesterton and "Walking On Water" (L'Engle) for a quick hit of inspiration.

This little (160 pages) tome is like having an endlessly curious friend on-call to clink wine glasses and share their latest musings on . . . whenever you need them. Wine and Mamet. You can't lose.

This book's strength was that it made me challenge my own beliefs. As a filmmaker and writer, I have developed a sense for writing crap that appeals to the lowest common denominator. Mamet made me re-evaluate what made me become a writer, and the importance of the theater. I find his writing very interesting from the standpoint that he is very much of the theater, and an elitist as a result, but he is very favorable when discussing Hollywood. I think everyone should read his section on the Oscars in this book. Overall, I was very pleased I read the book, and would have to ultimately recommend it to others.

David Mamets "Writing In Restaraunts" is a perfect execution of playwriting technique guidance and education. When Mamet, the pulitzer prize winning author, combines his know how of writing business and his suave writing style, you get "the goods". Do yourself a favor, and purchase this book.