31 pages • 1 hour read •
Night, Mother
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Book Brief
66
Play • Fiction
Rural House • 1980s
1998
Dramatist's Play Service
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
’Night, Mother by Marsha Norman centers on the intense, real-time interaction between Thelma and her daughter, Jessie, who reveals her plan to commit suicide that evening. As Jessie organizes her affairs, Thelma desperately tries to dissuade her, leading to a candid discussion about their lives and struggles, ultimately culminating in an irrevocable act. Topics include depression and suicide.
Dark
Unnerving
Emotional
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
12,611 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Night, Mother by Marsha Norman is often praised for its compelling dialogue and raw emotional depth, capturing the complexities of familial relationships and mental health. Critics commend Norman's craftsmanship and the intense performances it elicits. However, some find the subject matter too bleak and its resolution lacking nuance. Ultimately, it's a powerful but polarizing drama.
Who Should Read Night, Mother?
A reader engrossed in intense familial dynamics and psychological drama would appreciate Marsha Norman's Night, Mother. Fans of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire will find similar themes of raw emotion and deep personal conflict.
12,611 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Thelma Cates
Thelma Cates
Jessie's mother in her late fifties/early sixties, a widow who enjoys life's pleasures and is deeply attached to her daughter, whom she tries to care for and protect from life's disappointments.
'night, Mother won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1983, marking a significant achievement for playwright Marsha Norman.
The original Broadway production of ‘night, Mother was directed by Tom Moore and opened at the John Golden Theatre in 1983.
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Marsha Norman's play was adapted into a film in 1986, starring Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft, bringing the intense drama to a wider audience.
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66
Play • Fiction
Rural House • 1980s
1998
Dramatist's Play Service
Adult
18+ years
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