Buried Child
Buried Child
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1978
Book Brief
72
Play • Fiction
Illinois Farmhouse • 1970s
1978
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Buried Child by Sam Shepard unfolds on an Illinois farm during the 1970s economic recession, focusing on the strained relationships within the impoverished family of Halie and Dodge, along with their troubled children Tilden and Bradley. The arrival of Tilden's estranged son Vince and the resurfacing of buried family secrets lead to confrontations and revelations, climaxing in a somber acknowledgment of their hidden past. This play includes sensitive topics such as infanticide and incest.
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Melancholic
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
9,968 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sam Shepard's Buried Child is widely praised for its raw depiction of a disintegrating American family and its potent use of dark humor. Critics appreciate Shepard's sharp dialogue and compelling characters. However, some feel the bleak atmosphere and cryptic elements may alienate certain audiences. Overall, it's lauded for its powerful, unsettling narrative.
Who Should Read Buried Child?
Readers who relish dark family dramas and hidden secrets akin to Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire or Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will find Buried Child by Sam Shepard compelling. Ideal for those intrigued by the disintegration of Americana and familial dysfunction, with a proclivity for intense, emotional narratives.
9,968 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
72
Play • Fiction
Illinois Farmhouse • 1970s
1978
Adult
18+ years
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