Wit: A Play
Product ID: 8197530
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Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Lucille Lortel Award, and the Oppenheimer Award. Adapted to an Emmy Award-winning television movie, directed by Mike Nichols, starring Emma Thompson. Margaret Edson's powerfully imagined Pulitzer Prize–winning play examines what makes life worth living through her exploration of one of existence's unifying experiences―mortality―while she also probes the vital importance of human relationships. What we as her audience take away from this remarkable drama is a keener sense that, while death is real and unavoidable, our lives are ours to cherish or throw away―a lesson that can be both uplifting and redemptive. As the playwright herself puts it, "The play is not about doctors or even about cancer. It's about kindness, but it shows arrogance. It's about compassion, but it shows insensitivity." In Wit, Edson delves into timeless questions with no final answers: How should we live our lives knowing that we will die? Is the way we live our lives and interact with others more important than what we achieve materially, professionally, or intellectually? How does language figure into our lives? Can science and art help us conquer death, or our fear of it? What will seem most important to each of us about life as that life comes to an end? The immediacy of the presentation, and the clarity and elegance of Edson's writing, make this sophisticated, multilayered play accessible to almost any interested reader. As the play begins, Vivian Bearing, a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the intricate, difficult Holy Sonnets of the seventeenth-century poet John Donne, is diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Confident of her ability to stay in control of events, she brings to her illness the same intensely rational and painstakingly methodical approach that has guided her stellar academic career. But as her disease and its excruciatingly painful treatment inexorably progress, she begins to question the single-minded values and standards that have always directed her, finally coming to understand the aspects of life that make it truly worth living. Review: Fantastic Play - I wish I would’ve read this when I was a CPE resident. There is so much in it about suffering and for a year and a half my Theology study was on suffering. This is so much what it is like when you interact with patients in the hospital. It’s a master class in the ministry of presence, or the lack of it. I literally read it for a masters class that I have coming up next semester. Strong recommend. Review: Breathtakingly moving and intelligent - I was drawn in by the movie, of course, and actually bought this script because I needed to do some research on it. Since then, I've seen the play (small differences from the movie, but equally mind-blowing), and met Margaret Edson in person. I just think the universe is a better place because of this script, and the principles it teaches.
| Best Sellers Rank | #78,110 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #47 in American Dramas & Plays |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 794 Reviews |
R**S
Fantastic Play
I wish I would’ve read this when I was a CPE resident. There is so much in it about suffering and for a year and a half my Theology study was on suffering. This is so much what it is like when you interact with patients in the hospital. It’s a master class in the ministry of presence, or the lack of it. I literally read it for a masters class that I have coming up next semester. Strong recommend.
C**B
Breathtakingly moving and intelligent
I was drawn in by the movie, of course, and actually bought this script because I needed to do some research on it. Since then, I've seen the play (small differences from the movie, but equally mind-blowing), and met Margaret Edson in person. I just think the universe is a better place because of this script, and the principles it teaches.
T**A
Quick read, good story
Cancer affects many of us. Many are involved and even though one dies they are not forgotten. Healthcare professionals keep a little bit with them. Compassion fatigue is real and I think helps one be better for the future.
R**R
Excellent writing for a fine afternoon read
This book was fascinating and so well written! If you like words and their meanings, you'll find this book entertaining. Even grammatical references have a place of importance in this book about a serious topic: death. It is a short book and can be read in one day, even for a slow reader like me. I was a little disappointed in the ending, but understand why the author chose that ending. I highly recommend this book. It will keep your attention and make you think about some deep things.
N**O
read for school
This book was so incredibly good. I had to read it for my women in lit class and let mr tell you i loved every part of it. beautiful tragic story
V**X
honest, moving, and sharp witted humor
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. It is a quick read. Very funny. And even more poignant. It makes me want to go out and study the poetry of John Donne. It is a truthful telling of the medical world and how some doctors see their patients as "research", but it is also this approach to her which causes our heroine to reapproach her study of Donne in a more personal and less academic light. With her own experience of life and death she finally gains deeper understanding of the metaphysical poet. This is a heartbreaker. Anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer, or saw them through the fight against it, will be greatly affected by this play. And those rare and privileged few who have not know anyone with this dreadful illness will still be touched. Despite its sometimes seemingly cold hearted jabs, which make it all the more funny, this play is full of the warmth of love and grief and joy. Read it to know what I mean.
E**H
Breath-taking !
I don't have the words to describe this play. I'll try : Compelling Shattering Touches heart , soul , and conscience . Should be mandatory reading for anyone who provides medical care . . . and all who have ever or will ever need medical care .
N**E
no rules but one
A little cliched with the emotionless researcher who loves science The ability to beat cancer The wrenching The kind nurse who loves her job But, still memorable how the Dr explains his love for cancer Vivian’s passion for literature. Although I am not sure why she was teaching. Similar to the researcher who had to? Treasure your friends and family Hmmm, does this inspire me to read John Donne’s Holy Sonnets Not sure
R**A
Phenomenal play
Brilliant play written by Margaret Edson. Masterfully created, poetic, as work of art. I would love to see this in theater.
S**S
Good one
Good
S**L
Entereza en la enfermedad
La protagonista es una profesora estricta consigo mismo y con sus alumnos. Al enfermar de cáncer su entereza le hace sobrellevar el tratamiento, su cinismo la falta de humanidad de sus médicos y de las pruebas y con su inteligencia hace un análisis de su enfermedad y la muerte en relación con su asignatura. No quiere compasión pero agradece sentirse comprendida y consolada. Una gran obra para pacientes, familiares y médicos.
R**Y
It’s a script.
I bought this book after my friend’s recommendation but I just couldn’t get into it due to its style: it was script of a play. Too bad, it is a grate story, apparently..
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