Take a photo of a barcode or cover
michaelyuen 's review for:
Tartuffe, by Molière
by Molière, Molière
This is one of those books I have because it was required reading in high school. I don't remember much beyond that except that I enjoyed it nearly two decades ago.
Coming back to it -- I LOVE IT!!!
This book, or play rather, is much off the beaten path of what I typically read and enjoy. But there's something in the combination of odd features that resulted in a thoroughly pleasant reading experience. When written word can move me to literally chuckle, I'm a fan. It's also worth noting that this is a pretty light and quick read because it's a play and only 5 acts.
From the "Note" by Richard Wilbur, "What such a play as Tartuffe is about, what the characters thing, feel, and do, is clearly and amply presented in the dialogue, so that a mere reading-aloud of the lines, without any effort at performance, can provide a complete, if austere, experience of the work."
Absolutely! I would love to see a stage production. I'm sure it would be even more hilarious to me, not having to contend with the reading of the couplets while processing the physical comedy.
What's more, can we talk about the brilliant translation by Richard Wilbur? I don't know who he is, but from the book's information he's obviously accomplished. So he not only translated the dialogue from French, but also did so in the style of couplets? Basically poetry to an ignoramus like myself. To me, it's amazing and totally the chef's kiss on top of everything else.
To summarize, a quick read that flows nicely because of the couplets. Comedic. Absurd. Fun! Leaves me interested in more works of Moliere and Richard Wilbur. Bravo!
Coming back to it -- I LOVE IT!!!
This book, or play rather, is much off the beaten path of what I typically read and enjoy. But there's something in the combination of odd features that resulted in a thoroughly pleasant reading experience. When written word can move me to literally chuckle, I'm a fan. It's also worth noting that this is a pretty light and quick read because it's a play and only 5 acts.
From the "Note" by Richard Wilbur, "What such a play as Tartuffe is about, what the characters thing, feel, and do, is clearly and amply presented in the dialogue, so that a mere reading-aloud of the lines, without any effort at performance, can provide a complete, if austere, experience of the work."
Absolutely! I would love to see a stage production. I'm sure it would be even more hilarious to me, not having to contend with the reading of the couplets while processing the physical comedy.
What's more, can we talk about the brilliant translation by Richard Wilbur? I don't know who he is, but from the book's information he's obviously accomplished. So he not only translated the dialogue from French, but also did so in the style of couplets? Basically poetry to an ignoramus like myself. To me, it's amazing and totally the chef's kiss on top of everything else.
To summarize, a quick read that flows nicely because of the couplets. Comedic. Absurd. Fun! Leaves me interested in more works of Moliere and Richard Wilbur. Bravo!