The House of Blue Leaves

by John Guare

Book Overview

On the day the Pope is expected to visit, hearts are palpitating in the sleepy borough of Queens, but not entirely on account of His Holiness. Bunny Flingus, a femme-fatale from Flushing (or... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452264596
• ISBN13: 9780452264595
• Release Date: March 1987
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The House Of Blue Leaves

is a commentary on the oblivious pursuits of people in our society and causalities they take, hurting both others and themselves.A play for people who never quite fit in. A play for people who know there's something more.

5 STARS

AMAZING! An awsome play to perform and to see!

Exellent Analysis

The House of Blue Leaves is an exellent critique of the desire to achieve celebrity in our society. The characters in this story, namely Artie and Ronnie, are searching out fame in their own way (writing music for motion pictures and blowing the pope sky high, respectivly) mainly to achieve some sort of validity in their lives. They believe that their existance is meaningless without the acknowledgement of others. Through sharp, and sometimes dry and cynical writing, Guare makes you feel for the characteres and leaves you stunned at the end. With it's assortment of colorful supporting characters it is both a very funny and a very sad work of art.

good play, lost focus

I thought that the play it's self had good moments in it. I read the screen play before I saw the play performed. I enjoyed the performance, but The script was less as entertaing. Another book along these lines is 'of mice and men' by john steinback. If you are into a little crazyness then both of these books would be a good book. they are normaly tought in high school together.

The single greatest example modern theatre.

Guare's "House of Blue Leaves" is by far the most memorable, well-written, and exceptionally challenging play that I've yet to come across. Granted, the only production I've seen was an amateur presentation at a local performing arts center but, that aside, the content of Guare's play completely overshadowed any lackluster performances. As for the philosophy employed in so many recent films (Magnolia, Being John Malkovich) regarding self-affirmation through the powers of universal forces, "House of Blue Leaves" exemplifies this modernist philosophy through and through. Although "Six Degrees of Separation" is the more regarded of Guare's plays, HOBL is the most exceptionally subtle and quietly subversive. Very, very impressive work.