55 pages • 1 hour read
Long Day's Journey Into Night
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Book Brief
179
Play • Fiction
Connecticut • 1910s
1956
Adult
18+ years
NP0L
Super Short Summary
Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill depicts a single day in 1912 at the Tyrone family's summer home, where parents James and Mary and their sons, Jamie and Edmund, struggle with deep-seated issues. Mary battles morphine addiction, while Edmund's illness and Jamie's perceived laziness exacerbate familial tensions. As the day progresses, arguments flare, revealing years of trauma, financial struggles, and unspoken grievances. This play includes discussions of addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as references to suicidal ideation and child loss.
Melancholic
Dark
Unnerving
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
42,092 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night is lauded for its raw, autobiographical exploration of family dynamics and addiction. Critics commend its emotional depth and complex characters, though some find its relentless gloom challenging. The play's powerful performances and poignant dialogue make it a memorable, if heavy, theatrical experience.
Who Should Read Long Day's Journey Into Night?
A reader who enjoys Long Day's Journey Into Night by Eugene O'Neill likely appreciates intense family dramas and psychological depth akin to Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman or Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. They savor intricate character studies and explorations of personal and familial struggles.
42,092 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
James Tyrone
James Tyrone
A successful actor in the late 19th century, James Tyrone is Eugune O’Neill's fictional representation of his own father, characterized by his frugality and struggle with alcohol.
Mary Cavan Tyrone
Mary Cavan Tyrone
Based on O'Neill's mother, Mary is a complex character who grapples with isolation and addiction, reflecting the strain of her marriage and the unraveling of her dreams.
Jamie, James Tyrone Jr.
Jamie, James Tyrone Jr.
Edmund's older brother, Jamie is caught in a cycle of cynicism and addiction, mirroring his father's career path but lacking the passion and success.
179
Play • Fiction
Connecticut • 1910s
1956
Adult
18+ years
NP0L
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