Scan barcode
sriq's review against another edition
"Simon: I took the shortcut over the cliffs and followed one of the old smugglers' paths through the treacherous swamps that surround this strangely inaccessible house."
"The sound of a wheelchair approaching down several flights of stairs with landings in-between. It arrives bearing MAGNUS at about 15mph, knocking Simon over violently."
"Magnus: (shouting yet) How long have you been a pedestrian?
Simon: Ever since I could walk."
"Moon: (clears throat) Let me say at one that it has élan while at the same time avoiding éclat. Having said that, and I think it must be said, I am bound to ask--does this play know where it is going?"
"Hound: (snatching the phone): I'll phone the police!
Cynthia: But you are the police!
Hound: Thank god I'm here--the lines have been cut!"
"The sound of a wheelchair approaching down several flights of stairs with landings in-between. It arrives bearing MAGNUS at about 15mph, knocking Simon over violently."
"Magnus: (shouting yet) How long have you been a pedestrian?
Simon: Ever since I could walk."
"Moon: (clears throat) Let me say at one that it has élan while at the same time avoiding éclat. Having said that, and I think it must be said, I am bound to ask--does this play know where it is going?"
"Hound: (snatching the phone): I'll phone the police!
Cynthia: But you are the police!
Hound: Thank god I'm here--the lines have been cut!"
bennought's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed 'The Real Inspector Hound' and 'After Magritte.' All of the plays were clever and funny, meta and purposefully playing with the conventions of theatre, language, art, and life, but the first two, to me at least, were the most accessible and enjoyable. While I appreciated the commentary on the tendency towards sexual scandal that seems to dog politicians in all countries, it felt mostly like a Monty Python skit. Maybe that just doesn't translate well to paper, but I also think that his commentary was very topical, both to the scandals rocking Parliament at the time, as well as to the immigration issues he was addressing. I also thoroughly enjoyed the playing with language and the deification of Shakespeare in 'Dogg's Hamlet' and 'Cahoot's Macbeth,' just wasn't particularly thrilled with them. The 'Dogg speak' throughout the first play is intelligent and insightful, and truly speaks to the relativity of conveying meaning (maybe even the viral nature of speech habits), but would be maddening to actually see performed. And while I'm sure that some of the confusion and lack conveyed meaning could be overcome through demonstrative acting, I still think that much of the understanding would be lost in performance. Of course, that is surely part of what Stoppard was attempting to do with the piece, to challenge the audience to truly pay attention and to try and understand what was going on (maybe even to highlight the alienness of Shakespearean language, as well?). Overall, a great collection of plays, and they are all testaments to Stoppard's place as my favorite playwright.
transitofvenus's review against another edition
3.0
the real inspector hound - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ shockingly good
after magritte - ⭐⭐ ummmmmm no.
dirty laundry / newfoundland - ⭐⭐ boooooring
dogg’s hamlet / cahoot’s macbeth - ⭐⭐⭐ that joke got old fast. extra star for the shakespeare
after magritte - ⭐⭐ ummmmmm no.
dirty laundry / newfoundland - ⭐⭐ boooooring
dogg’s hamlet / cahoot’s macbeth - ⭐⭐⭐ that joke got old fast. extra star for the shakespeare
bubblescotch's review against another edition
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Tom Stoppard’s Shakespearean monstrosities, my beloved. The Real Inspector Hound my beloved. Obsessed with the typo on the cover.
kiramke's review against another edition
3.0
This won't replace my favorites, but I enjoyed seeing Stoppard's early work and the evolution of his ideas. Unsurprisingly, Dogg's Hamlet and Cahoot's Macbeth were the highlights for me.
_pickle_'s review against another edition
3.0
It's funny how being forced to read a book in school can destroy your will to read. Despite this, I have fond memories of the Real Inspector Hound, proof that Stoppard's skill as a playwright conquerer even the tedium of afternoon English classes. The play features some clever things and I wouldn't mind seeing it performed one day.
faintingviolet's review against another edition
3.0
My immediate takeaway when I finished was that it may be too absurdist for me. But that doesn’t quite grasp the idea I was after. From my limited experience with Stoppard, he is always playing with words, playing with meaning, playing with intent, and has no problem (perhaps prefers) to have his characters speaking at cross purposes. What that does to a reader is leave them with a sense of whiplash and “what the heck just happened?” Or at least, that’s what happens when that reader is me.
The Real Inspector Hound is about theatre, critics, reality, and fate. Or it is just a play about two people sitting around waiting for something to happen, like that other one. This is early Stoppard, and I found his introduction to my edition most edifying about his process and what we received as a result. He had bits and pieces of dialogue between the characters who would become Moon and Birdfoot, but they had no purpose. He would come back to it over the years and eventually the device of the body on stage, and that body being Higgs catalyzed Stoppard into its completion. Which makes sense to me that we ramble about a bit and then land on an ending.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2017/12/15/the-real-inspector-hound-cbr9-71/
#cannonbookclub
The Real Inspector Hound is about theatre, critics, reality, and fate. Or it is just a play about two people sitting around waiting for something to happen, like that other one. This is early Stoppard, and I found his introduction to my edition most edifying about his process and what we received as a result. He had bits and pieces of dialogue between the characters who would become Moon and Birdfoot, but they had no purpose. He would come back to it over the years and eventually the device of the body on stage, and that body being Higgs catalyzed Stoppard into its completion. Which makes sense to me that we ramble about a bit and then land on an ending.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2017/12/15/the-real-inspector-hound-cbr9-71/
#cannonbookclub
violentlyagitated's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I was able to somewhat understand three of these plays – managed to get a sensible chuckle out of one (Dirty Linen). I can’t say for sure that I’m glad I’ve read any of them but Dogg‘s Hamlet and Cahoot‘s Macbeth? It‘s like I was reading something written by and for aliens. Left me with a single, big questionmark.
Some of these might admittedly make more sense if watched live on stage. I just suppose my post modern days are over for good.
Some of these might admittedly make more sense if watched live on stage. I just suppose my post modern days are over for good.
lochie128's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0