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Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim

West Side Story

Arthur Laurents, Stephen SondheimFiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1961

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Book Brief

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Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim

West Side Story

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1961
Book Details
Pages

160

Format

Play • Fiction

Genre
Setting

New York City • 1950s

Publication Year

1961

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15-18 years

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Super Short Summary

West Side Story by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in the gang-ridden streets of New York. Tony from the Jets and Maria, linked to the Sharks, fall in love amid rivalry and violence. Their tragic love story highlights racism, xenophobia, and the destructive effects of hate, ending poignantly without resolution or reconciliation from the adults. Themes included in this story are gang violence and interpersonal conflict.

Mysterious

Emotional

Bittersweet

Romantic

Dark

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

West Side Story by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim is widely praised for its groundbreaking fusion of music, dance, and narrative, reimagining Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York. Critics laud its emotional depth and cultural relevance, although some argue the portrayal of ethnic tensions feels dated. Overall, it remains a powerful and influential work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read West Side Story?

A reader who enjoys West Side Story by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim would likely appreciate intense, romantic dramas with a strong musical element. Fans of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet or F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby would find the story's themes of love, tragedy, and societal conflict compelling.

Book Details
Pages

160

Format

Play • Fiction

Genre
Setting

New York City • 1950s

Publication Year

1961

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15-18 years

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