Reviews from

Tennessee Williams

Playwright of distinction

49 total reviews 
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
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Thank you for teaching me about this playwright. To be honest, I only saw snippets of his plays which were movies and with all the yelling and conflict, I found it just too hard to watch. But you have showed me what a talented writer he was and how much childhood trauma he had to overcome while he grew his art.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much, Helen, for your kind review and thoughts! I'm absolutely delighted that the verse triggered your interest and helped in your understanding of him. That means a lot to me. Debbie
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

It seems many of the famous creatives didn't have an ideal childhood. Maybe that stemmed their imagination to take them away from reality. In this case he used it for his plays. Well written and researched Debbie in poem and notes. Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much for this wonderful review, Valda! It seems so often to happen with these famous people, that they have real heartbreak and troubles spurring them on to vent through their work. Of course, there wouldn't have been the same recognition and support then as we have today. And this must have acted as his therapy and, certainly, took his audience by surprise! Thank you again, Debbie
Comment from Aiona
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

My oh my! Tennessee Williams is not only my favorite playwright, but also one of my favorite short-story writers. This lovely poem (which rhymes which I also appreciate) was very informative. I thought I knew a lot about Tennessee Williams, but your poem informed me of much more. And your Author's Notes even MORE! Fascinating man. I wish I could have met him when he was alive. It's strange that I discovered "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" in 1984 or 1985. Just a few years after he died. I hate that I never got to meet Neil Simon while he was alive too. Dangit. Lovely poem!

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much, Aiona, for your wonderful review and thoughts. I find this all so encouraging and am very grateful. I'm delighted you enjoyed and found this man so interesting that you would liked to have met him. He was certainly ahead of his time, speaking out about family dysfunction, mental illness, homosexuality and alcoholism. He didn't hold back did he? Take care and thanks again. Debbie
Comment from Mrs. KT
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

An exceptionally well-crafted poetic offering, Debbie, regarding one of my favorite playwrights. "The Glass Menagerie" deeply impressed me as a young high school student. One of the motivating factors as to why I was a thespian during my high school and college years...
Tennessee Williams was such a tortured soul. My father also contracted diphtheria as a child as did his older brother. My uncle died, and my father was left with a stutter that dogged him all his childhood.
Your writing is once again well-researched, inviting, and educational.
Exceptional in form and message.

Thank you for sharing!
diane

 Comment Written 16-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2023
    Diane, thank you so much for this great review and all your thoughts! I'm absolutely delighted this verse reminded you of your school/college experience and direction in life. I'm so sorry to learn about your father and uncle suffering from this serious infection, now fortunately quite rare in developed countries. Finally, your lovely words of encouragement and support are so gratefully received, Diane (I worry intensely about these posts), so thank you again. Take care Debbie
Comment from Raul1
Excellent
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The sentences flow with clarity. It is clear and concise. It is interesting. Well written. Well done. Very good poetry. Nice. Excellent work! No mistakes found. Thank you for sharing!

 Comment Written 16-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much for your kind review and thoughts, Raul! Greatly appreciated. Debbie
reply by Raul1 on 16-Oct-2023
    You're welcome!
Comment from Paul Manton
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Thanks gain, Debbie, for introducing another luminary genius to us. I read the two main works when I was about fourteen, but didn't have sufficient experience of life to realize how brilliant they were.

It's amazing how many great writers have appalling childhoods - Philip Larkin was right ('They f**** you up, your mum and dad . . .') but fortunately not for all of us! Williams certainly suffered though, and found love extremely illusive.

That he chose to write for the stage (and film) was a huge success for American theater - and from there, a massive influence on English speaking literature. The subjects of mental health and madness were virtually taboo before Williams really brave expose of what such family life was like.

So 4-3-4-3 abab quatrains, all faultless - and you tell his story so well (as always) from his dreadful childhood, his fight to find homosexual acceptance, his alcohol and drug habits and his search for love. He lost almost every one of those battles, but from his pain, a rare creativity was born, which illuminates us still.

Your footnotes turn it it into a six. Please don't write too many of these, or I will run out faster than ever!

Paul

 Comment Written 16-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much, Paul, for this very kind and comprehensive review which I greatly value from you! I can't get over it myself how much genius seems to emerge from such troubled backgrounds with all these famous people. I think what it proves is the importance of those early stages of development and maybe just a balance in your lifestyle thereafter with lots of love and support along the way. Because, for all his tireless work, his period of recognition and fame was relatively short-lived. Thanks again Debbie
reply by Paul Manton on 16-Oct-2023
    Yes, that's true. But his work lives for ever.
Comment from Jim Wile
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This was another wonderful biographical poem and notes about one of America's best playwrights. How do you go about picking your characters to write about, Debbie? They are always so interesting.

It's amazing how much those early years affect someone's personality and eventual outlook on life and how devastating ill treatment often ends up being. It seemed to color every aspect of Tennessee Williams' his work, at least the more popular ones.

This was a beautifully written poem that really told his story well. - Jim

 Comment Written 16-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much, Jim, for such a kind and encouraging review which I greatly value from you. I'm delighted you found the subject interesting. I just love delving into people's lives. Take care Debbie.
Comment from Paul McFarland
Excellent
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Thank you, Debbie, for a really good biography of this man. I can count the number of plays that I have seen on one hand, but one of them was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. That was sixty years ago.

 Comment Written 16-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much, Paul! I really appreciate your kind review. But no poem today though:( Take care Debbie
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Excellent
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Hi Debbie,
I really enjoyed your poem about Tennessee Williams and the series of unfortunate events in his life.
While an absolutely brilliant writer, his personal life drug him down, literally.
I love the poem and the detailed research in your author's notes. Thank you for sharing.

Hugs,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 15-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much for your kind review, Rhonda! Your words are always greatly appreciated. Take care Debbie
Comment from jake cosmos aller
Excellent
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Loved this tribute. you should collect all of these poetic tributes and publish it or at least put it on a blog. I can help with the blogging if you want I can feature these as guest post on my blog or help you create a blog.

 Comment Written 15-Oct-2023


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2023
    Thank you so much, Jake, for your kind review and interest all of which I greatly value. To be honest I seem to be so busy at the moment that creating even more work for myself is a bit daunting. Give me time and I'll consider what to do. Thanks again, Debbie