Plot Summary

Bondage

David Henry Hwang
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Bondage

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1996

Book Brief

David Henry Hwang

Bondage

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1996
Book Details
Pages

47

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

BDSM Club • 1990s

Publication Year

1996

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

First performed in 1992, David Henry Hwang's play Bondage explores the nature of human identity through the interactions of a dominatrix named Terri and her submissive, Mark, in a Los Angeles S&M parlor. They engage in role-playing and philosophical discussions about race and identity, challenging the audience to consider whether ethnicities are integral to identity or social constructs to be abolished.

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Challenging

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.2

38 ratings

68%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

David Henry Hwang’s Bondage is praised for its provocative exploration of identity, race, and power dynamics within the framework of fetish culture. Critics highlight the sharp, insightful dialogue and complex characters. Some, however, find the narrative's intensity overwhelming and the thematic execution uneven. Nonetheless, it remains a compelling, thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Bondage?

Readers who enjoy Bondage by David Henry Hwang are likely interested in complex explorations of identity, race, and power dynamics. These readers may also appreciate works like Playland by Athol Fugard and M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang, which similarly delve into the intricacies of human relationships and social constructs.

4.2

38 ratings

68%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

47

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

BDSM Club • 1990s

Publication Year

1996

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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