48 pages • 1 hour read
Suddenly, Last Summer
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Book Brief
72
Play • Fiction
New Orleans, Louisiana • 1930s
1958
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Tennessee Williams's one-act play Suddenly Last Summer, wealthy Violet Venable seeks Dr. Cukrowicz's help to lobotomize her niece Catharine, who was with her son Sebastian when he died abroad under mysterious circumstances. Violet wants to silence Catharine, who is spreading a scandalous account of Sebastian's death, to protect his reputation. Suddenly Last Summer contains murder, mutilation, cannibalism, and references to mental health treatment methods.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Emotional
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
7,420 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Suddenly, Last Summer by Tennessee Williams is a gripping play that delves into themes of mental illness, family secrets, and sexuality. Critics praise Williams' powerful dialogue and the intense psychological depth of the characters. However, some feel that the narrative can be overly melodramatic and note the potentially disturbing themes. Ultimately, it's a compelling but challenging read.
Who Should Read Suddenly, Last Summer?
Readers who relish intense psychological drama and gothic themes will enjoy Suddenly, Last Summer by Tennessee Williams. Fans of works like A Streetcar Named Desire and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? will appreciate its exploration of mental illness, family secrets, and tragic human flaws.
7,420 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Catharine Holly
Catharine Holly
The niece of Violet Venable, who faces pressure from her family and society while remaining determined to share her account of the events surrounding Sebastian's death.
Dr. Cukrowicz
Dr. Cukrowicz
A young neurosurgeon at Lion's View Hospital tasked with evaluating Catharine's mental state and determining whether her recollections are credible.
Sebastian Venable
Sebastian Venable
The deceased son of Violet Venable, whose mysterious death in Spain has become the focal point of conflicting narratives and motivations among the remaining characters.
72
Play • Fiction
New Orleans, Louisiana • 1930s
1958
Adult
18+ years
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