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Morality Play (Paperback)

by Barry Unsworth (Author) "It was a death that began it all and another death that led us on ..." (more)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Customers buy this book with Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory (Beginnings) by Peter Barry

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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin; New Ed edition (30 Nov 2000)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140175741
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140175745
  • Product Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 1.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 28,737 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #4 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > U > Unsworth, Barry

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Product Description

Product Description
It is the late fourteenth century, a dangerous time beset by war and plague. Nicholas Barber, a young and wayward cleric, stumbles across a group of travelling players and compounds his sins by joining them. Yet the town where they perform reveals another drama: a young woman is to be hanged for the murder of a twelve-year-old boy. What better way to increase their takings than to make a new play, to enact the murder of Thomas Wells? But as the actors rehearse, they discover that the truth about the boy's death has yet to be revealed...

About the Author
Barry Unsworth jointly won the Booker Prize with SACRED HUNGER in 1992 and has been shortlisted for PASQUALI'S ISLAND and MORALITY PLAY. He is author of many other acclaimed novels. Originally from Durham he now lives in Italy.
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It was a death that began it all and another death that led us on. Read the first page
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly written, authoritatively researched, 30 Jun 1999
By A Customer
With impeccable research, and without a single inappropriate archaism or self-conscious "mediaevalism" Unsworth, with great subtlety, catches the spirit of the times. The images of death and corruption (both of body and soul) mirror the social, moral and spiritual collapse of mid-14th century England: the Black Death has literally halved the population, land has gone out of cultivation, labour is scarce, prices have risen, people are starving. The feudal system is disintegrating, hastened by the social and economic consequences of the Hundred Years' War. The colourful pageantry of the Christmas jousting masks the debasement of the chivalric code into greed, selfishness and brutality; the purity of the monastic ideal has been replaced by materialism and venality. No wonder there is an upsurge of millenarian sects prophesying the Last Days. The transition of drama from religious to secular is already in process, and Martin takes his players in a visionary and shocking leap forward, fusing the old Mystery Plays with the newer Morality Plays, and for the first time using real events and real people in his True Play of Thomas Wells. The process of detection and the build-up of tension are brilliantly handled; the language, techniques and traditions of mediaeval drama fascinatingly described. Though we can see where the story is leading, the denouement has enough surprises to be satisfying. Though you could read it just as a mediaeval whodunit, you would be missing a great deal. Don't be deceived by its 188 pages. This is a deep and many-layered book - increasingly rewarding with every reading.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful and captivating drama, 11 Dec 2000
By A Customer
The characters are brilliant and colorful. The time is one of famine and havoc during the 14th century, when a young preist fleeing from his sub-deaconship comes upon a group of travelling players. Nicholas Barber is his name and he tells his story of becoming a player. The death of one player is what prompts Nicholas to join and another could lead to his own. The troupe is on their way to Durham, England where they are promised as a gift from their partron lord. During their travels they come upon a town where they can bury their friend and replenish their purse but when they arrive they learn of another death. The murder of a young boy and the swift conviction of a young women. When the group decides to perform the play of the murder they are in for a wild ride. They do not know the whole truth but are determined to seek it out. "Morality Play" is a captivating drama that relates to many prime topics of the day despite the setting in the middle ages. It is worth the short time it takes to read.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll finish it in one sitting, 18 Jul 2000
By A Customer
Perfect: plainly written, not too long and absolutely fascinating. Buy and read this book now.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable but could have been better
First Sentence: It was a death that began is all and another death that led us on.

Young priest Nicholas Barbar has run away from his safe but boring position at... Read more
Published 6 months ago by L. J. Roberts

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing and oddly unengaging
I was rather disappointed by this. The author takes great care to describe the details of the lives and performances of the Medieval players, but for me the story never really... Read more
Published 20 months ago by John Hopper

3.0 out of 5 stars A good read - not great
I found the concept behind this book more exciting than the execution, unfortunately.

While the writing is above reproach, the book suffers due to the lack of length. Read more

Published on 1 Aug 2005 by carmst1980

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