36 pages • 1 hour read
The Homecoming
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Book Brief
96
Play • Fiction
London • 1960s
1964
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Homecoming by Harold Pinter depicts the tumultuous reunion of a London family when scholarly son Teddy returns from the U.S. with his wife Ruth. His father Max, along with brothers Lenny and Joey, engage in an escalating power struggle marked by tension, manipulation, and emotional gamesmanship. The arrival of Ruth challenges family dynamics, leading to a shocking reconfiguration of relationships and loyalties.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Dark
Gritty
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
10,053 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Harold Pinter's The Homecoming is celebrated for its intense and ambiguous dialogue, with critics praising its dark humor and complex family dynamics. However, some find the play's ambiguity frustrating and its pacing uneven. Overall, it remains a powerful exploration of power and identity, captivating yet polarizing for its bold narrative choices.
Who Should Read The Homecoming?
A reader who enjoys Harold Pinter's The Homecoming is likely enamored with complex character dynamics and dark, absurdist themes. Comparable to fans of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, they appreciate tension-filled dialogue and explorations of power and familial dysfunction.
10,053 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
96
Play • Fiction
London • 1960s
1964
Adult
18+ years
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