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31 pages 1 hour read

Night, Mother

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1998

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Book Brief

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Marsha Norman

Night, Mother

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

66

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Rural House • 1980s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

’Night, Mother by Marsha Norman centers on the intense, real-time interaction between Thelma and her daughter, Jessie, who reveals her plan to commit suicide that evening. As Jessie organizes her affairs, Thelma desperately tries to dissuade her, leading to a candid discussion about their lives and struggles, ultimately culminating in an irrevocable act. Topics include depression and suicide.

Dark

Unnerving

Emotional

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.3

12,611 ratings

69%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Night, Mother by Marsha Norman is often praised for its compelling dialogue and raw emotional depth, capturing the complexities of familial relationships and mental health. Critics commend Norman's craftsmanship and the intense performances it elicits. However, some find the subject matter too bleak and its resolution lacking nuance. Ultimately, it's a powerful but polarizing drama.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Night, Mother?

A reader engrossed in intense familial dynamics and psychological drama would appreciate Marsha Norman's Night, Mother. Fans of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire will find similar themes of raw emotion and deep personal conflict.

4.3

12,611 ratings

69%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

66

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Rural House • 1980s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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