50 pages • 1 hour read
The Visit
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Book Brief
112
Play • Fiction
Güllen, Switzerland • 1950s
1956
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Friedrich Dürrenmatt's The Visit, the fictional European town of Guellen, plagued by post-WWII poverty, anticipates salvation from wealthy former resident Claire Zachanassian. Upon arrival, Claire offers financial aid in exchange for the execution of Alfred Ill, her former lover who wronged her long ago. Initially rejected, her proposal reveals the town's moral decay as citizens gradually succumb to greed and consider her offer. Topics include sex work, child loss, and financial exploitation.
Dark
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Unnerving
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play The Visit is lauded for its darkly comedic and thought-provoking exploration of justice, greed, and human nature. Critics praise the compelling character development and moral ambiguity, though some find the plot development slow and the ending polarizing. Overall, it remains a powerful and unsettling classic.
Who Should Read The Visit?
Readers who enjoy dark comedy, moral dilemmas, and social critique will appreciate Friedrich Dürrenmatt's The Visit. Similar to those captivated by the existential themes in Albert Camus's The Stranger and the satirical edge in George Orwell's Animal Farm, this play delves into the complexities of justice, greed, and human nature.
112
Play • Fiction
Güllen, Switzerland • 1950s
1956
Adult
18+ years
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