Curse of the Starving Class
Curse of the Starving Class
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1976
Book Brief
72
Play • Fiction
Rural California • 1970s
1976
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard portrays the Tate family, struggling with financial instability and personal ambitions, in a rural California desert. Weston, the father, is an alcoholic, while Ella, the mother, dreams of escaping to Europe. Their children, Wesley and Emma, grapple with their futures amidst increasing family tension and external threats from developers and criminals.
Gritty
Dark
Unnerving
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,003 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard delves into the disintegration of an American family grappling with economic turmoil and psychological distress. Critics praise Shepard's sharp dialogue and dark humor, yet some find the play's chaotic structure and bleak themes challenging. It's a provocative exploration of familial and societal decay.
Who Should Read Curse of the Starving Class?
A reader who revels in darkly humorous, tragic family sagas akin to Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire or Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will appreciate Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard. This play delves into themes of disillusionment, the American Dream, and familial dysfunction with raw, gritty realism.
1,003 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
72
Play • Fiction
Rural California • 1970s
1976
Adult
18+ years
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