BOOK BRIEF

Summer and Smoke

Tennessee Williams
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Summer and Smoke

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1998

Book Brief

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Tennessee Williams

Summer and Smoke

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

72

Format

Play • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction

Dramatic Literature

Romance
Period
Southern Gothic
Setting

Glorious Hill, Mississippi • Early 20th Century

Topic
Education
Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Summer and Smoke, a play by Tennessee Williams, explores the relationship between Alma, a minister’s daughter, and John, a charismatic doctor. Set in Mississippi, it navigates themes of desire, identity, and spiritual conflict as both characters grapple with their opposing views on life and love, against a backdrop of societal expectations.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.0

3,169 ratings

72%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams explores themes of desire and repression with a focus on character development. Reviews praise its lyrical prose and emotional depth, though some critics find the pacing uneven and the plot predictable. Performances often highlight its complex characters, which can resonate differently depending on the staging and actors' interpretations.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Summer and Smoke?

A reader interested in Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams likely appreciates character-driven dramas exploring themes of passion, repression, and identity. They may also enjoy plays like A Streetcar Named Desire by Williams or Long Day's Journey Into Night by Eugene O'Neill for their emotional depth and complex characters.

4.0

3,169 ratings

72%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

72

Format

Play • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction

Dramatic Literature

Romance
Period
Southern Gothic
Setting

Glorious Hill, Mississippi • Early 20th Century

Topic
Education
Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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