Luv

by Murray Schisgal, Walter Kerr (Foreword)

As described by the New York Times: "When the play begins there is Harry Berlin, looking like a shaved, mustachioed beatnik who has sunk so low that honest beatniks would disown him. He has no future except to jump off the bridge and is about to do so when Milt Manville comes along and intervenes. Milt and Harry turn out to be college classmates. As Harry, in his rags, slowly drops hints of his tale of woe, Milt, a picture of prosperity, is all sympathy. But LUV has ample place in its bosom for more than one miserable fellow. Milt is also full of frustration, for his wife won't release him and let him marry the girl he loves. Presently Milt's wife, Ellen, appears. As she stands under a lamppost, her expression congealed and fur-coated body rigid, it is clear that she, too, is torn by anguish. Now we have a triangle matched in misery. Milt has had an inspiration. Why not bring Ellen and Harry together and thus win the freedom to marry the other girl? But Ellen looks despairing; she needs sprucing up. Milt tidies her dress and slip, combs her hair, rouges her lips, powders her cheeks, delicately touches up her eyelashes and sprays her with perfume. Could a husband be more tender with a wife he hopes to palm off? The events that follow need not be detailed. All you will wish to know is that whatever marriages are made and unmade, Milt, Ellen and Harry end up in sorrow and agony, and the greater their misunderstandings and problems, the more you laugh."

Genres: Plays

68 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Mahsa.]

راستش نمی‌دونم چی بگم که نظر واقعیمو راجع‌به این کتاب برسونه. اما خب زیاد خوشم نیومد! داستان به طرز وحشتناکی کلیشه‌ای بود و شخصیتا هیچ حسی از تعهد توی وجودشون نداشتن. یه اتفاق واحد، چند بار تکرار می‌شد و خب از جذابیت داستان کم می‌کرد.
شاید چون اولین نمایشنامه‌ایه که خوندم این نظرو دارم، اما می‌تونست خیلی قوی‌تر باشه.👀🤍

[Matt]

What I found with Murray Schisgal's Luv is that it showed true horrors of how we as human beings can act toward one another, but did it with such humor, fun, and even grace, that it was easy to face fears and hard truths that would have lain dormant if addressed any other way. Schisgal proves that to get ones message across in the theatre world, one must first entertain; laughter is truly the best medicine, but in many ways can act as “liquid courage” to face things in one’s own life that must be examined and worked on.

[Kahmal Sealey]

A tad hollow for me personally. I found myself relating to the woes of life the characters were expressing, but not to the characters themselves.

It's very absurdist, which works sometimes, but I feel this became too unhinged and gave nothing tangible to bite onto.

That being said similar to another poster, the writing was clear and coherent, I had no difficulty following it but it was akin to a filler movie on Netflix; it was good to pass time but nothing to ring the bells about

[Jessica Whittemore]

Meh. These people suck and nothing they say has any real meaning or importance. When a character always feels the grass is always greener on the other side, it's tough to get to know and like them.

[Tom Holehan]

Finally caught up with this 1960s classic and found its views of marriage and relationships just as real, bleak, funny and timely as ever!

[bearmin_07]

Some smut, was short and funny in unexpected ways

[Sarah Bloom]

Murray schisgal keeps it tight

[Shawn Deal]

Funny, entertaining. May have aged a bit.

[04nicks]

What can I say about luv. Hmm... It was a interesting read, but not what I was hoping for.
Luv is about a man named Milt and his friend Harry making a bet that Harry could make Milts wife, ellen, fall in love with him. for you see, Milt is in love with someone else and Harry has never been in love.
The tale starts with Harry wanting to kill himself and Milt stopping him. Then Milt trying to kill himself and Harry stopping him. Then Ellen trying to kill Harry and Harry forcing her off. I can see how this may be funny to some people but I did not LOL at this part.
Although I did not enjoy the story, I can see how some might. the writing was not bad and I could follow it the whole way through but I have no urge to read it again or even think about it. The only funny part, I thought, was at the very end--monthes later-- when Harry wins the bet

[Diana Long]

I think I have misplaced my sense of humor as words do fail me....Two former acquaintances meet on a bridge..one is going to jump because he's done with life, not so fast all you need is love, then he in turn is ready to jump because he has a wife and a mistress, wants a divorce, the plan is to have the first jumper meet the wife of the second jumper, fall in love so he can get that divorce and marry his mistress...good grief what a disappointing piece of rubbish.

[Mark]

This is a wacky play. Reminds me of Bertrand Blier films.

[Robert Barnett]

Looking into directing this in the next year or so.

[Edward Linder]

Funny Funny Funny. I can't wait to direct this show.