Marvin's Room: A Play

By Scott McPherson and Scott McPherson

Book Overview

Good-hearted Bessie has been taking care of ther ailing father for 20 years, but now shes the one whos sick, and she must reconcile with her estranged sister, Lee. A remarkably humorous and tender... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452269229
• ISBN13: 9780452269224
• Release Date: September 1992
• Publisher: Plume
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 1.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Marvin's Room

Book was received in time for my summer session class and in very good condition.

Far better than the movie. A dark comedy.

I directed this play. A genuine pleasure, but very difficult to get attendance after Hollywood spoiled it by making it a melodrama. (A DiCaprio / Streep vehicle and nothing more).

Fascinating to see how much was cut from the movie

After reading the original play, I understand the movie better - especially the part about the bugs. I only wish they hadn't cut Hank's line about not wanting his picture taken with some mutant (at Disney World) from the movie. My favorite scenes in both the play and movie are between Bessie and Hank. Although they were strangers in the beginning, Hank quickly warmed to his Aunt's nurturing spirit and candid conversation. Scott McPherson certainly had a way with dialogue!

A Satisfying Read

Despite some unanswered questions at the end of this heartwarming story, I was truly satisfied after reading this play. The relationships that develop during the story give us hope that the characters will survive, even though deep down we know that they won't. A book that requires your own imagination to complete the story, is a great way to incorporate the reader, in my opinion.

Very original and understandable.

I thought that it gave a different outlook on death and family. The characters in the play were so interesting in different ways. It was moving that they each gave up a part of their lives to get along better and to realize that death can change your attitude on life. Each one of them changed at the end and I truly loved how it didn't tell you exactly what happened. As a reader you figured it out by yourself. Overall, it was a great original play and the movie is just as wonderful.