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The Beautiful People
plat script
- GenresPlays
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1942
24 people want to read
About the author
William Saroyan
348 books647 followersWilliam Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 19, 2025
ENGLISH: Saroyan is one of my favorite authors, and this is my favorite comedy by him. I have read or watched it nine times. Although his novel "The Human Comedy," in its 1943 version, is his work I prefer.
I have now (June 2025) watched it once again, in a different version from the one I had watched before in the RTVE archive.
ESPAÑOL: Saroyan es uno de mis autores favoritos y esta es su comedia que más me gusta. La he leído o visto nueve veces. Aunque su novela "La comedia humana", en su versión de 1943, es la obra de Saroyan que prefiero.
Ahora (junio de 2025) la he visto una vez más, en una versión diferente de la que había visto antes en el archivo de Estudio-1.
I have now (June 2025) watched it once again, in a different version from the one I had watched before in the RTVE archive.
ESPAÑOL: Saroyan es uno de mis autores favoritos y esta es su comedia que más me gusta. La he leído o visto nueve veces. Aunque su novela "La comedia humana", en su versión de 1943, es la obra de Saroyan que prefiero.
Ahora (junio de 2025) la he visto una vez más, en una versión diferente de la que había visto antes en el archivo de Estudio-1.
September 3, 2018
Anyone who has experienced love that brings an epiphany regarding the beauty of all people will appreciate this funny, thoughtful play.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews