Reviews

Les Parents Terribles by Jeremy Sams, Jean Cocteau

indigodear's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lasciona's review against another edition

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3.5

En dessous de l’aigle à deux têtes mais la réplique de fin est exquise 

cccgoline's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

waltroper1's review against another edition

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4.0

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Les Parents Terribles is Jean Cocteau’s Oedipal farce about a dysfunctional family dealing with issues of delusion, desperation and sacrifice. It tells the tale of a Parisian bourgeois family, Yvonne the overly dramatic mother and George, a failed inventor father, and what happens when Michael, their 22 year old son, announces he plans to be wed. Michael has fallen in love with a young bookbinder, unaware of the fact she is also his father’s mistress. As the complications spiral, Leo, Yvonne’s sister, finds a away of setting order to a sea of chaos in her religiously tidy manner. ⠀

Cocteau’s play which was written in eight opium filled days is both disturbing and compelling. There is just enough farce to take the edge off of the tragically destructive human behavior. You seldom see this play performed in comparison to others dealing with familial dysfunction such as those of Tennessee Williams. The play reads well and is full of crisp and witty dialogue. It is definitely worth a read, if you can find a copy which was a bit challenging.

yasmin69801's review against another edition

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5.0

This was such an enjoyable read.
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