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Mother Courage and Her Children

By Bertolt Brecht
Series: Modern Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht follows the journey of Mother Courage, a canteen wagon owner who profits by selling goods to soldiers during the Thirty Years' War. Throughout her travels, she faces personal challenges and tragic losses while navigating the devastating impacts of war on her family and society. As a critical work in Arts & Culture, the play examines themes of survival, capitalism, and the human cost of conflict.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in how war impacts individuals and society, through the lens of a courageous mother navigating conflict. The blend of sharp wit and poignant social commentary offers a compelling exploration of resilience amidst adversity, appealing to those interested in thought-provoking theatre.

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Mother Courage and Her Children

In Methuen Drama's Modern Classics series, this edition of Brecht's anti-war masterpiece translated by John Willett features an extensive introduction and Brecht's notes and textual variants.

In Methuen Drama's Modern Classics series, this edition of Brecht's anti-war masterpiece translated by John Willett features an extensive introduction and Brecht's notes and textual variants.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this chronicle of the European Thirty Years War, taking place between the years 1624 and 1636, Mother Courage follows the armies back and forth across Europe, selling provisions and liquor from her canteen wagon to whomever she can. One by one she loses her children to the war but will not part with her livelihood—the wagon.

The Berlin production of 1949, with Helene Weigel as Mother Courage, marked the foundation of the Berliner Ensemble.

Considered by many to be one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written and Brecht's masterpiece, the play is a powerful example of Epic Theatre and Brecht's use of the alienation effect. This effect focuses attention not on individual characters but on the issues of the play.

This edition, published in Methuen Drama's Modern Classics series, offers a full introduction as well as Brecht's own notes and textual variants, setting it apart from all other editions available in the English language. The play is presented in John Willett's trusted translation.

One of the greatest poets and dramatists of our century (Observer).

Series: Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht is celebrated for its incisive critique and enduring representation of the ravages of war. The Observer praises Brecht as one of the preeminent poets and dramatists of the era, highlighting his powerful and impactful storytelling.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780413412904

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 May 1986

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Edition: New edition

Contributors:

  • Edited by John Willett
  • Edited by Ralph Manheim
  • Translated by John Willett

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 172g

Pages: 176

Collections

Arts & Culture Bertolt Brecht Non-Fiction Series: Modern Classics

About the Author

A major dramatist of the twentieth century, Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) was the founder of one of the most influential theatre companies, the Berliner Ensemble, and the creator of some of the landmark plays of the twentieth century: The Threepenny Opera, The Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and Her Children and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. His plays and dramatic theory are central to the study of modern theatre.

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