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The Normal Heart: A Play (Plume) Paperback – October 29, 1985

by
Larry Kramer (Author)
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Larry Kramer (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 17 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Plume
  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Plume; Book Club (BCE/BOMC) edition (October 29, 1985)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0452257980
  • ISBN-13: 978-0452257986
  • Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.4 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,543,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsAIDS - Politics and Personal
By Nirit on August 18, 1999
Format: Paperback
The play shows a true-to-life picture of AIDS from the political-public point of view and from the personal aspect. It portrays the political history of dealing with AIDS. How the disease was neglected when it first appeared and for many years after just because it seemed to be killing "only" gay men. In addition to this, the play tells us of a tragic personal story - two lovers trying to cope with the disease. This play is valuable not only for a better understanding of gay life, but more importantly as a condensed reminder of how we reacted to AIDS at its earlier stages, thousands were dying but ways of prevention were not discussed because it was politically incorrect. The author also compares the reaction to AIDS to the reaction to the Holocaust, which I found interesting and sadly true. I must add that this play seemed like a short version to Randy Shilts book, "And the Band Played On", a long but fascinating detailed coverage of AIDS from 1980 to 1988 (written after "The Normal Heart").
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4.0 out of 5 starsPowerful Look at the First Years of AIDS
By Seth J Bookey on September 27, 1999
Format: Paperback
This play, easily read in one sitting, was pretty powerful, and I imagine it must have been even more powerful on stage.
A lot of people, including me, have their criticisms of Larry Kramer, and one reason for leaving off a star in the rating system here is that the main character, Ned Weeks, is clearly Kramer himself. They play, powerful as it is, seems like a swipe at his critics, and having the doctor character siding with him is clearly a way of Kramer saying "I am right and you are wrong."
What is fascinating about the play is how much has changed. It takes place over the course of 1981 to 1984. Many basic facts were not in place yet. Indeed, the name AIDS never shows up in the text of the play. It is just called either "the plague" or "it." Even the "condom code" had not become ubiquitous yet.
What is also fascinating is the look at the Closet, how many gay enjoyed the benefits of gay sexual liberation, but were still closeted at the office and with their parents and friends. In the age of AIDS, coming out often took on the shadow of death with it, as men made double revelations to their parents, often associating gayness with death and disease. Also interesting is the arguments the gay men are having about sex and politics, denial and reality.
Like I said, it's easily read in one sitting. A lot has happened since 1984, but it's important to bear in mind that in 1984, the President, Mayor Koch, and the New York Times barely admitted there was an AIDS crisis happening at all.
There are a variety of things I don't like about Larry Kramer, but I do like it that someone out there is angry, and willing to keep shouting.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn angry, emotional look at the AIDS epdemic's first years
By gac1003 on December 28, 2003
Format: Paperback
Ben Weeks is witness to the opening years of the epidemic soon to be known as AIDS. As his friends start dying, he is amamzed at the small amount of knowledge about this new disease. What's more, he's outraged at lack of responsiveness by the media and by the government. (The New York Times wrote 54 articles about the Tylenol poisoning scare of 1982 within a 3-month period, with 4 articles on the front page. During the first 19 months of the AIDS epidemic, the same paper wrote 7 articles, with only 1 appearing on the front page.) His anger leads him into becoming an acitivist and creating a Gay Men's health center to spread the word about the epidemic. But, Ben runs into obstacles from unlikely places: his friends and the gay community who are scared and don't want to have their freedom of promiscuity taken away from them. And, he also must deal with his partner who contracts the disease.
This incredibly angry and powerful play sweeps you up with its emotions, alternately feeling angry and wanting to cry for desparation. I've read many plays, and this is one of the few that actually makes you feel as though you are the main character. I wanted to scream along with Ben as his frustration grew about the lack of anyone taking notice about the disease. It's also semi-autobiographical. Mr. Kramer, at the onset of the epidemic in the early '80's, became very vocal about getting involved against AIDS and started the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York, from which he was eventually asked to leave because of his outspokenness.
A masterful play full of energy and emotion that should definitely be read by everyone.
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5.0 out of 5 starsloved it
By A Customer on April 22, 1999
Format: Paperback
it's sad that some of us think we must include every last soul in order to show true compassion. kramer's play was one of the most inspiring, enraging, heartwarming, heartwrenching pieces i have ever read- i would read it again and again and again if i had the time. kramer takes the life of an ignorant, blindly angry white gay male and documents a truly remarkable character transition while at the same time conveying rage and sadness about the state of the world (in his time). to unrealistically include a token out of the ordinary character for the sake of pc-ness would in this case be a tragedy (this play's got enough as it is).
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5.0 out of 5 starsCaptivating
By M. Hurst on September 24, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Although now an "aged" piece, this work captures the panic, frustration, and almost futility that gay men felt as they wrestled to get anyone to give consideration to what was going on in their lives and the health issues they faced with the then unknown dread disease that was claiming lives.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsDon't underestimate a small book

👌🏽

Published 3 months ago by Guillermo
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

very professional

Published 18 months ago by Karon Wait
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great

Published 18 months ago by blanca miranda
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very moving.

Published 18 months ago by Jan M Sherrill
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

😊

Published 19 months ago by Celeste Graveley
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good story, short read. I'm glad I read this before the HBO movie aired.

Published 22 months ago by mp
2.0 out of 5 starsGood message

I never seen the play however, I did see the movie which I think was a good message but it did show a lot of negative on the point. Read more

Published 23 months ago by kellie
2.0 out of 5 starsLarry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART

Many plays throughout the last 25 years of the 20th century and even up to this day have focused on the AIDS epidemic and its overall impact on not just the LGBT community but on... Read more

Published on May 14, 2013 by Pato Cree
5.0 out of 5 starsReview of THE NORMAL HEART

Superb reading. Suggested for anyone who has already seen the play and / or who was around during the early days of AIDS, when we were just finding out about this disease here in... Read more

Published on December 6, 2012 by scott30575
5.0 out of 5 starsNormal Heart, Magnificent Play

While I consider myself a regular theatre-goer, I've always been aware of Kramer's plays and opinions, yet I haven't seen nor read either of these two plays. Read more

Published on June 25, 2004 by Rafael B

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