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The Caretaker

By Harold Pinter
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Check link for latest rating. ( 4,325 ratings, 207 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
The Caretaker by Harold Pinter is a play revolving around the interaction and power dynamics between three characters: Aston, his brother Mick, and a homeless man named Davies. Set in a cluttered room, the play delves into themes of identity, isolation, and the struggle for dominance as each character reveals their vulnerabilities and aspirations through sharp, witty dialogue.
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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 may appeal to you if you enjoy intense psychological drama exploring themes of power, identity, and social tension. It offers a compelling portrayal of human relationships marked by ambiguity and dark humour, making it a fascinating read for those interested in classic theatre and nuanced character studies.

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Reissued to commemorate Pinter winning the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature

An unsettling and darkly funny study of power and weakness, The Caretaker was Harold Pinter's first major success, the play that made him an internationally recognised name.

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

The Caretaker is splendidly funny. The dialogue here is full of life and humour, meticulously and often hilariously pinning down the way people actually talk—the hesitancies, the evasions, the obsessive tricks of speech. He creates such rich demotic poetry out of improbable subjects. You don't want his characters to stop talking.

Daily Telegraph

'One of the greatest of post-war British theatrical achievements.'

Time Out

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?

The Caretaker by Harold Pinter is frequently praised for its exploration of identity and power dynamics through a suspenseful and often comedic narrative. Critics commend Pinter's use of language and pauses to build tension and reveal complex character interactions. The play's setting and themes resonate as a timeless reflection on human relationships and societal constructs, with performances often noted for bringing depth to the ambiguous motives of the characters.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571160792

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 March 1991

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: Primary and secondary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 123g

Pages: 144

Collections

Arts & Culture Harold Pinter Non-Fiction

About the Author

Harold Pinter was born in East London in 1930. He lives in London and is married to Antonia Fraser. In 1995 he won the David Cohen British Literature Prize for a lifetime's achievement in literature; in 1996 he was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for a lifetime's achievement in theatre; and in 1997 he was named as the Sunday Times Writer of the Year. In 2002 Harold Pinter was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to literature. He is the author of numerous plays and screenplays, and has written poetry and fiction. In 2005, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Visit the official website www.haroldpinter.org.

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