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The Duchess (of Malfi)

By Zinnie Harris
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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
The Duchess (of Malfi) reimagines Webster's classic revenge tragedy through the fierce spirit of its young widow protagonist. The Duchess, wielding newfound freedom and wealth, challenges the oppressive constraints imposed by her brothers. Their desperate attempts to control and destroy her unleash a grim and bloody conflict, revealing unexpected sources of vengeance.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3299
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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 bold adaptation will appeal to fans of classic drama retold with contemporary vigour, those interested in strong female leads, and readers drawn to intense tales of power, family conflict, and resilience.

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A vivid reimagining of Webster's The Duchess of Malfi for the #MeToo age from Zinnie Harris.

A vivid reimagining of Webster's The Duchess of Malfi for the contemporary age.

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

You should know: I sing at parties, I wear colourful dresses, I am headstrong, I won't wear my hair up because you say I should, or do this because you prefer it, in fact I might do the other just to be contrary, but I am utterly and always myself.

The Duchess is a young widow. And with money, sexual freedom and youth, she's a threat to the status quo; she could get to determine her own life.

Terrified by her sudden power and its implications, her brothers Ferdinand and The Cardinal seek to block The Duchess's desires and to dismantle her authority and spirit by any means at their disposal. The results are horrifying, with bloody vengeance from the most unexpected of sources.

The Duchess (of Malfi), Zinnie Harris's radical take on Webster's great revenge tragedy, premiered at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, in May 2019.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571355389

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 May 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Contributors:

  • Original author John Webster

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 160g

Pages: 136

Collections

Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Zinnie Harris

About the Author

Zinnie Harris's plays include the multi-award-winning Further than the Furthest Thing (National Theatre/Tron Theatre; winner of the 1999 Peggy Ramsay Award, 2001 John Whiting Award, Edinburgh Fringe First Award), How to Hold Your Breath (Royal Court Theatre; joint winner of the Berwin Lee Award), The Wheel (National Theatre of Scotland; joint winner of the 2011 Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award), Nightingale and Chase (Royal Court Theatre), Midwinter, Solstice (both RSC), Fall (Traverse Theatre/RSC), By Many Wounds (Hampstead Theatre) and the trilogy This Restless House (Citizens Theatre/National Theatre of Scotland), based on Aeschylus' Oresteia. Also, Ibsen's A Doll's House for the Donmar Warehouse, Strindberg's Miss Julie for the National Theatre of Scotland and Webster's The Duchess (of Malfi) (Royal Lyceum Theatre). Zinnie received an Arts Foundation Fellowship for playwriting, and was Writer in Residence at the RSC, 2000-2001. She is Professor of Playwriting and Screenwriting at St Andrews University, and was the Associate Director at the Traverse Theatre from 2015-2018.

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