20 pages • 40 minutes read
The Balcony
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Book Brief
96
Play • Fiction
1956
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Balcony by Jean Genet, a brothel called the Grand Balcony hosts elaborate role-playing fantasies depicting societal power structures while a wavering revolution occurs outside. The brothel's owner, Irma, operates amidst a complex interplay of characters, including her former lover, the Chief of Police, and a rebel, Chantal. The play critiques corruption and the pursuit of power. This play contains explicit content, violence, and themes of sexual exploitation.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Fantastical
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
3,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jean Genet’s The Balcony is celebrated for its provocative exploration of power, fantasy, and identity within a brothel setting. Critics laud its innovative structure and rich symbolism, though its complex narrative and abstract themes may challenge some readers. While the play's dark, surreal atmosphere is compelling, it might not appeal to those preferring straightforward storytelling.
Who Should Read The Balcony?
Readers who would enjoy Jean Genet's The Balcony typically appreciate avant-garde and existentialist theater. They are often drawn to works that explore themes of power, identity, and illusion, much like the plays of Samuel Beckett and Eugène Ionesco. These readers thrive on challenging, provocative narratives that push the boundaries of conventional drama.
3,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Carmen
Carmen
Irma's bookkeeper who used to be one of the prostitutes and is dissatisfied with her current role. She dreams of escaping to reunite with her daughter who lives somewhere in the city.
George/The Chief of Police
George/The Chief of Police
The Chief of Police who is vain and insecure, with ambitions of political power. He is upset that his role is not one of the fantasies fulfilled at the Grand Balcony.
The Judge/The General/The Bishop
The Judge/The General/The Bishop
Three patrons of the brothel who desire to enact fantasies of power through the roles they play. They are depicted as exaggerated representations of both their genders and positions.
Chantal
Chantal
A former prostitute who left the brothel after falling in love with a revolutionary plumber named Roger. She later becomes the symbol for the rebels' cause.
Roger
Roger
A plumber and revolutionary who represents the working class and falls in love with Chantal. He ironically aspires to the role of the Chief of Police while being involved in a social revolution.
96
Play • Fiction
1956
Adult
18+ years
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