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Oleanna

Series: Modern Classics
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( 10,123 ratings, 505 reviews)
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
Oleanna by David Mamet is a tense exploration of male-female power dynamics centred on a confrontation between John, a university professor, and Carol, his student. Their dialogue becomes an intense verbal battle that examines free thought, communication, and the dangerous consequences when these are threatened.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This play suits readers interested in contemporary drama, gender conflicts, and thought-provoking conversations about power and language.

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This play was published to coincide with its British premiere, directed by Harold Pinter, at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

This play was published to coincide with its British premiere, directed by Harold Pinter, at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

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

An ear for reproducing everyday language has long been David Mamet's hallmark, and he has now employed it to skewer the dogmatic, puritanical streak which has become commonplace on and off the campus. With Oleanna, he continues an exploration of male-female conflicts begun with Sexual Perversity in Chicago in 1974. Oleanna cogently demonstrates that when free thought and dialogue are imperilled, nobody wins. (Michael Wise, Independent)

In Oleanna, John and Carol engage in hand-to-hand combat that amounts to a primal struggle for power. As usual with Mamet, the vehicle for that combat is crackling, highly distilled dialogue unencumbered by literary frills or phony theatrical ones. (Frank Rich, International Herald Tribune)

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?

Praised for Mamet's distinctive use of everyday language and sharp dialogue, Oleanna incisively critiques dogmatic puritanism prevalent on and off campus. Critics highlight its intense, primal struggle for power and its thought-provoking ambiguity around communication and consent.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780413626202

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 June 1993

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 6.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 202.0mm

Weight: 124g

Pages: 96

About the Author

David Mamet is one of the most distinctive voices on the contemporary American stage. He was born and had his first and many subsequent plays premiere in Chicago. His screenplays include: The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Verdict, The Untouchables, We're No Angels and Glengarry Glen Ross; he was writer and director for House of Games, Things Change and Homicide.

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  • Mamet Plays: 3
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