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Our Town (1938)

by Thornton Wilder

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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5,031682,148 (3.67)163
This beautiful new edition features an eye-opening Afterword written by Tappan Wilder that includes Thornton Wilder's unpublished notes and other illuminating photographs and documentary material. Our Town was first produced and published in 1938 to wide acclaim. This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of life in the small village of Grover's Corners, an allegorical representation of all life, has become a classic. It is Thornton Wilder's most renowned and most frequently performed play.… (more)
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» See also 163 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 68 (next | show all)
The last time I read this was in AP English back in 1983. 😳 After reading TOM LAKE, I had to revisit it, and I'm so glad I did. I remember finding it pointless at the tender and stupid age of 17. What the hell was wrong with me? Such a poignant reminder to carpe diem--especially the most mundane moments of our lives because going about our daily business is the life of living and we must cherish every single second. Thanks, TW, for the reminder. ( )
  crabbyabbe | Mar 15, 2024 |
Our Town was a major part of Ann Patchett’s book Tom Lake. That’s what prompted me to read Our Town. It’s very different to read a script than a book. Somewhat stilted but the meaning behind the dialogue is the point. I’d actually like to see the okay performed. ( )
  kayanelson | Nov 27, 2023 |
The dialog is sparse but also rich in meaning and texture. I can see why it has staying power. ( )
  charlie68 | Sep 26, 2023 |
I absolutely love this play, but seeing it performed again this summer was an emotional experience. It was the 25th anniversary of my Mom's death and she performed as the lead in high school. The play is a celebration of life, both its simple routines and its big moments. Seeing it and rereading it was incredibly moving. I can't imagine experiencing this play and not appreciating the beauty of life a bit more when you are done.

"I can’t.
I can’t go on. It goes so fast.
We don’t have time to look at one another.
I didn’t realize. All that was going on in life,
and we never noticed.
Take me back – up the hill – to my grave.

But first: Wait! One more look.
Good-by, Good-by, world.
Good-by, Grover’s Corners.
Mama and Papa.
Good-bye to clocks ticking.
And Mama’s sunflowers.
And food and coffee.
And new-ironed dresses and hot baths.
And sleeping and waking up.

Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful
for anybody to realize you.

Do any human beings ever realize life
while they live it? – every, every minute?" ( )
  bookworm12 | Jul 25, 2023 |
The third act reminded me of Lincoln in the Bardo. There is a vein of sentimentality that runs through Our Town that (I think) kind of obscures the larger point about how we are locked into our cultural framework, from which the only liberation is death. The second act makes a sort of radical point about marriage. And the staging was innovative for the time. I'm looking forward to seeing the 2002 adaptation with Paul Newman, waiting in my DVD.com queue. ( )
  jonbrammer | Jul 1, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 68 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (5 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Wilder, Thorntonprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Margulies, DonaldForewordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Epigraph
Dedication
To Alexander Woollcott of Castleton Township, Rutland County, Vermont
First words
This play is called "Our Town."
Quotations
Emily: Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? - every, every minute?

Stage manager: No. (Pause) the saints and poets, maybe - they do some.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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This beautiful new edition features an eye-opening Afterword written by Tappan Wilder that includes Thornton Wilder's unpublished notes and other illuminating photographs and documentary material. Our Town was first produced and published in 1938 to wide acclaim. This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of life in the small village of Grover's Corners, an allegorical representation of all life, has become a classic. It is Thornton Wilder's most renowned and most frequently performed play.

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Book description
This short play seems simple at first, but is actually has a lot of depth to it. It is about the typical life in the small and quaint town of Grover's Courner, New Hampshire. The characters are very genuine. The main theme of the book asks what the purpose of life is; I think the message is to enjoy the life you have and to not waste it because it will be over before we know it. Don't take life for granted. Do something with your life. I loved reading this play because of its message and the particular way the play gets that message across.
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