Reviews

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry

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happylilkt's review against another edition

4.0

This play gives a slice of life from a time and place that no longer exists. It is a tableau / vignette that starts with a problem: Miss Daisy's son no longer thinks she is safe to drive herself.

This story seemed to me to be less about race and class tensions (though they are definitely present) than about aging—the tug of war between parents and the children who worry about them. I hadn't realized before reading this that Miss Daisy was Jewish, so that ends up in the mix as well.

A great read and I'm looking forward to watching the film adaptation soon.

jenmat1197's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the story of Daisy Werthan, her son, Boolie, and her chauffeur, Hoke Coleburn A play that takes place over the course of 25 years between 1948 to 1973. Daisy has wrecked her car and at the age of 72, her son believes she needs to give up her driver's license. He hires Hoke to drive her around, and over the years Daisy - who has an hard outer shell - befriends Hoke in her own personal way. Hoke continues to drive for Daisy to near the end of her life and is there for her even when she is starting to forget everyone around her.

This is a great book. This is one of my favorite movies, and I don't know how I have never read this play. It is very short, but well deserving of the Pultizer Prize it won. A whole story transpires seemlessly and I am so glad I read it.

miss_marples_teatime's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

katykelly's review against another edition

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5.0

A really beautiful story, with strong characters that you can picture in front of you.

Miss Daisy's son hires her a 'coloured' chauffeur after she crashes her car and destroys property. His mother fiercely and passively resists this slight on her ability and independence but gradually she and Hoke become friends. Their relationship spans decades into the old age of them both.

It's wonderfully written, funny and warm, the three characters all easy ton imagine and rounded from just a few dozen pages of script. The ending is perfectly judged.

I can't comment on other Pulitzer Prize nominees from this year but in thrilled Driving Miss Daisy won the Prize. Length has nothing to do with scope, depth or the accurate representation of real people.

Highly recommended, as is the film adaptation.