The Baltimore Waltz
The Baltimore Waltz
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1992
Book Brief
300
Play • Fiction
Europe • 1980s
1992
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Baltimore Waltz is a 1990 play by Paula Vogel that satirizes the prejudices surrounding the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. It follows American schoolteacher Anna, diagnosed with "Acquired Toilet Disease," as she embarks on a sex-fueled trip around Europe with her brother, Carl, who still hopes for a cure. Gradually, it becomes clear that their adventure is a fantasy concealing the real situation: Carl is dying of AIDS-related complications.
Emotional
Bittersweet
Mysterious
Melancholic
Playful
Reviews & Readership
501 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Baltimore Waltz by Paula Vogel masterfully blends dark humor and heartfelt emotion in a narrative tackling illness and loss. Positive reviews highlight its inventive structure and clever dialogue, while some critics find the surreal elements confusing. Overall, it's praised for its emotional depth and creativity.
Who Should Read The Baltimore Waltz?
A reader who would enjoy Paula Vogel's The Baltimore Waltz is likely drawn to poignant yet darkly comedic narratives that explore serious themes like illness and loss through an absurdist lens. Fans of Tony Kushner's Angels in America and Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House will appreciate Vogel's mix of whimsy and emotional depth.
501 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
300
Play • Fiction
Europe • 1980s
1992
Adult
18+ years
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