33 pages • 1 hour read
Proof
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Book Brief
83
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • Contemporary
2000
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Proof follows Catherine, a young woman grappling with her father Robert's recent death and her own future. Robert was a brilliant mathematician who succumbed to mental illness, and Catherine fears she may inherit his instability. As she forms a connection with Hal, her father's former student, tensions arise over a groundbreaking mathematical proof she claims to have written. The play delves into themes of genius, heredity, familial duty, and the complexities of trust and recognition.
Contemplative
Emotional
Mysterious
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
19,944 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Proof by David Auburn has received praise for its compelling exploration of genius, mental illness, and family dynamics. Critics commend its sharp dialogue and well-drawn characters. However, some note occasional predictability in the plot. Overall, Auburn's work is celebrated for its emotional depth and intellectual engagement.
Who Should Read Proof?
Readers who would enjoy Proof by David Auburn are likely drawn to works blending complex character studies and intellectual challenges, such as Arcadia by Tom Stoppard or A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar. They appreciate themes of familial bonds, mental illness, and the pressures of academic brilliance.
19,944 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robert
Robert
A once-celebrated mathematician whose career is interrupted by mental illness, appearing in the play as a ghost and in flashbacks showing his close relationship with his daughter Catherine.
Hal
Hal
A former doctoral student of Robert's, who sifts through Robert's notebooks after his death and forms an emotional connection with Catherine.
Claire
Claire
Catherine's older sister who lives a stable life in New York and returns for their father's funeral while managing financial support for the family.
83
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • Contemporary
2000
Adult
18+ years
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