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Short Eyes: A Play (Mermaid Dramabook Series)
 
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Short Eyes: A Play (Mermaid Dramabook Series) (Paperback)

by Miguel Pinero (Author), Marvin F. Camillo (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

Review
"An authentic, powerful theatrical piece that tells you more about the anti-universe of prison life than any play outside the work of Jean Genet." --Jack Kroll, Newsweek

"Mr. Piñero writes very well indeed. His dialogue sizzles with truth." --Clive Barnes, The New York Times
-- Review

Review
"An authentic, powerful theatrical piece that tells you more about the anti-universe of prison life than any play outside the work of Jean Genet." --Jack Kroll, Newsweek

"Mr. Piñero writes very well indeed. His dialogue sizzles with truth." --Clive Barnes, The New York Times


See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 127 pages
  • Publisher: Hill and Wang (January 1, 1975)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0374521476
  • ISBN-13: 978-0374521479
  • Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,438 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #80 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > United States

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Short Eyes: A Play (Mermaid Dramabook Series)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Prison as a microcosm for society, October 12, 2001
Miguel Pinero's play "Short Eyes" opened as part of the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1975. This play deals with life in prison; its flavor of authenticity probably comes from the fact that the author himself had spent time in prison.

"Short Eyes" involves a multiethnic group of inmates whose lives are affected by the incarceration of a mild-mannered white man charged with a particularly shocking crime. Pinero creates a fascinating portrayal of a racially fractured subculture in which whites are the minority. His prison is populated with many memorable characters: the African-American inmate El Raheem, whose "Black Muslim"-inspired dialogue is marked by quick wordplay and messianic fury; Longshoe, the tough white inmate; Cupcakes, the pretty-boy who is the object of another inmate's lust, and more.

Pinero's claustrophobic world of Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and whites could be seen as a frightening microcosm of the larger American society: a world of destructive compulsions and violence. Pinero's dialogue is often penetrating and shocking; his characters are alive with raw pain and rage. "Short Eyes" may be too much for some readers to handle, but those with a serious interest in American drama or Puerto Rican literature, this is a remarkable work of art.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling New York City Prison Drama, June 10, 1999
By Lee Higgs (Deerfield, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
An insider's view of life in the notorious Tombs on Rikers Island, where New York City used to house prisoners awaiting trial. Pinero was an important poet and playright, and co-founder of The Nuyorican Poet's Cafe. This drama tells the story of a middle class white man arrested for child molestion, a "short eyes" in prison slang. These prisoners are held in special contempt by the rest of prison society, and this man is a particularly easy target. Pinero has the voice of authority, making this a rare prison drama with the ring of truth. The play was was also made into a brilliant movie.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A play that grabs the reader emotionally., March 29, 2003
By Ronald Coolbeth (Springfield, ma) - See all my reviews
The play "Short Eyes" is a powerfully told truth about prison life. The setting takes place in the day room of a House of Detention. The cast of actors are mostly made up of Blacks, Puerto Ricans and a few Whites. They are young convicts. They exchange taunts, fighting & insults just to keep their sanity intact, and some sense of a community. An accused child molester is brought into the cellblock. He is called a degenerate by a guard. A child molester (or in prison slang a "short eyes") is considered the most despicable of people. Mr. Pinero, while serving a five year sentence for armed robbery in Sing Sing Prison, started writing the play. Marvin Felix Camillo read some of Miguel's work and asked him to sign up in his drama workshop in the prison. This was a workshop for convicts interested in writing and acting. Miguel was encouraged to write plays. The drama work shop evolved into an acting company called The Family. Joseph Papp produced the play "Short Eyes" at the Lincoln Center in New York City. Short Eyes won the best American play of 1973 & 74 by the New York drama critics circle award. Miguel Pinero's play "Short Eyes" is straight on! It doesn't pull any punches. It holds back absolutely nothing on life in jail.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Racial tension hightened because of confinement
This play captures the intense racial and ethnic survival networks that develop in a prison. Men must join with other men of the same race or ethnicity or risk being victimized... Read more
Published on January 13, 2007 by C. B Collins Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful.
Powerful, Extremely easy to read. I wish I could see it done as a play.
Published on June 16, 2002 by Samantha

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