The Maiden's Prayer

by Nicky Silver

THE We open at the wedding of Taylor and Cynthia, a golden couple beloved by everyone—almost. Libby, Cynthia's hard-drinking sister, is in love with Taylor herself and she can take it no longer. "The hypocrisy, the bone-chilling grotesque hypocrisy!" Fleeing to the back yard she discovers Paul, Taylor's best friend, a charming fellow, who, since childhood, has harbored a secret love for the groom himself. As Libby and Paul are forced to deal with unrequited love, their lives change dramatically. Paul, promiscuous by nature, finds himself pursued by a young man, Andrew, who seems, at first, less interested in true love than in available real estate. And Libby, her career in a shambles, succumbs to a life without love, a life where sex is connected to monetary gain, rather than affection. When Cynthia gives birth to a still-born child, her marriage dissolves and Taylor sinks into depression and alcoholism. Surprisingly, Libby, who has viewed her sister as the enemy all her life, finds the strength to sacrifice her own desires to help Cynthia through her grief. While Paul, seemingly kind, always appropriate, betrays his dearest friend and secret love. He gambles with Taylor's life, hoping his friend will turn to him, at last, for comfort. THE MAIDEN'S PRAYER follows this quartet and Andrew as they struggle to learn the difference between loving someone and needing them.

Genres: Plays

77 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Maria Sirigos · Rating 4 out of 5]

patricia Clarkson core

[Nick K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully complicated story of love and hate, loss and gain, and getting what you need instead of what you want.