78 pages • 2 hours read
Our Town
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Book Brief
181
Play • Fiction
Grover's Corners • Early 1900s
1938
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
Our Town by Thornton Wilder is set in the fictional town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913. Act I, "Daily Life," introduces the mundane routines of townspeople, including the Gibbs and Webb families. Act II, "Love and Marriage," follows George Gibbs and Emily Webb as they fall in love and marry. Act III explores themes of life and death, featuring the deceased reflecting on their earthly lives. The play emphasizes the simplicity and transience of everyday life.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Heartwarming
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
57,285 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Thornton Wilder's Our Town masterfully captures the essence of small-town life and universal human experiences. Critics praise its innovative minimalist staging and deep emotional impact. However, some find its simplicity and nostalgic tone overly sentimental or slow. Overall, it remains a poignant, timeless reflection on life's fleeting moments.
Who Should Read Our Town?
Readers who appreciate Our Town by Thornton Wilder are often interested in explorations of small-town life, human connections, and universal themes of love and loss. Comparable works include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson for their poignant portrayals of community and character evolution.
57,285 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Emily Webb Gibbs
Emily Webb Gibbs
A bright and curious young woman who matures over the course of the play, experiencing love, family, and personal realizations.
George Gibbs
George Gibbs
A sports-loving young man who is close in age to Emily, known for his aspirations and eventual commitment to family life.
Mrs. Julia (Hersey) Gibbs
Mrs. Julia (Hersey) Gibbs
A nurturing and patient mother, dedicated to her family and her friendships, often seen sharing daily life with Mrs. Webb.
Doctor Frank Gibbs
Doctor Frank Gibbs
A dedicated town doctor and family man, who balances his professional responsibilities with his role at home.
Mr. Charles Webb
Mr. Charles Webb
A calm and responsible editor of the local newspaper who values family and supports his daughter, Emily.
Mrs. Myrtle Webb
Mrs. Myrtle Webb
A practical and hard-working mother who cares deeply for her family and shares a close friendship with Mrs. Gibbs.
Mrs. Soames
Mrs. Soames
A lively and gossipy woman who appreciates the beauty of life and connects with her neighbors through shared experiences.
Simon Stimson
Simon Stimson
The church choir director who struggles with personal issues, often mentioned in conversations among townspeople.
181
Play • Fiction
Grover's Corners • Early 1900s
1938
Adult
14+ years
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