34 pages • 1 hour read
Intimate Apparel
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Book Brief
72
Play • Fiction
New York City • 1900s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage centers on Esther, a 35-year-old African American seamstress in 1905 Manhattan who dreams of opening a salon. Her life changes when she begins exchanging letters with George, an African Caribbean laborer working on the Panama Canal. She also shares mutual, unspoken feelings with Mr. Marks, a Jewish fabric seller. Esther eventually marries George, leading to unexpected challenges.
Melancholic
Emotional
Romantic
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,338 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lynn Nottage's play, Intimate Apparel, is lauded for its nuanced portrayal of race, gender, and class in early 20th-century America, highlighted by compelling characters and rich, emotive dialogue. Critics praise its emotional depth and historically rich context, though some find its pacing uneven. Overall, it’s an evocative exploration of intimate human experiences.
Who Should Read Intimate Apparel?
Readers who relish Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel are likely captivated by emotionally rich, character-driven narratives set against historical backdrops. Fans of Alice Walker's The Color Purple or Toni Morrison's Beloved will appreciate Nottage's exploration of race, gender, and personal dreams within early 20th-century America.
1,338 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
72
Play • Fiction
New York City • 1900s
2003
Adult
18+ years
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