The Glorious Ones

by Francine Prose

Book by Prose, Francine

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Italy, Historical, Literature

175 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Francine Prose is the author of twenty works of fiction. Her novel A Changed Man won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and Blue Angel was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her most recent works of nonfiction include the highly acclaimed Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife, and the New York Times bestseller Reading Like a Writer. The recipient of numerous grants and honors, including a Guggenheim and a Fulbright, a Director's Fellow at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library, Prose is a former president of PEN American Center, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her most recent book is Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveling theatre shows are close enough to circuses thematically that this novel piqued my interest. It turned out to be a very enjoyable story about a small troupe in 17th century Italy playing commedia dell'arte for royalty and peasants alike. The book is structured as a compilation of recollections and perspectives from different, charming and outrageous in their own ways members of the troupe, all brought together by their larger than life fearless leader Flaminio Scala. It took me longer than it should have to read this book, it's small enough to be a one sitting affair, but it was a pleasure to read, the language was rich, appropriately dramatic and yet never overwhelming the story itself. The interlaced multi angled narrative worked very well here. Very entertaining and lovely book. Recommended.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Makes me sorry that I missed the musical at Lincoln Center. Prose tells the story of a commedia troupe as the shift from improvised theatre to scripted drama is happening. Each chapter is narrated by a different troupe member and fills in another part of the story. The issues and the artistic struggles were so interesting - and the characters were vividly drawn.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have probably liked this book more if my imagination hadn't cast Jeff as the lead character (Flaminio Scala). It just didn't work that.

[Greg Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follows a Comedia dell'arte troupe of actors as they tour Europe. The manager has chosen a cast who fit the purposefully stereotyped characters . They are fools, lovers and brigands. There are romantic (or lustful) triangles as the men fight over the scarce younger women. A cast member gains attention from the fans and royal sponsors and moves to take control of the group, eventually ousting their erstwhile captain and effectively ruining the company. There is a saying that old actors never die, they just fade off stage left. In this tale, the Captain/manager has died and returns to plead with a comic dwarf in the cast to assure his continued fame, through the telling of his story. Each chapter allows a different member of the cast to tell their own side of the troupe's story. It's a sad but engaging tale.

[dahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

comedia dell'arte enjoyers STAND UP! another banger by francine. reminds me of nights at the circus, but this might be the better book?

[Kathleen Guinnane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and how it was told from the various viewpoints of people in the troupe, but it wasn't the book I couldn't put down. I did want to find out what happened, and I was satisfied with what I read, but I just didn't feel vested in the characters. Maybe I am just not a fan of the roving theater troupes of old.

[Anjum Choudhury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book because I would be playing Isabella in an upcoming production of The Glorious Ones, the musical. I was thrilled that this book was an easy read that I could breeze through. But let me tell you; this book is a necessary read if you just see the musical or even just listen to the music. Otherwise, I doubt it would make much sense. Now, I read the book before I became intimately knowledgeably of the play, so it's only my best guess that it wouldn't make full sense without the book, but let me explain.

The musical of The Glorious Ones takes various scenes from the book and pastes them together with fantastic songs and a rather hastily written book. The characters are far more shallow the actions unmotivated, at first, and even second glance. Especially so for Isabella, who isn't given a backstory. She's incredibly weak in the musical, compared to her relatively complex counterpart in the book, and her far more interesting relationship with Francesco. Furthermore, the musical all but stops when Flaminio dies.

Now before this turns into a review of the musical rather than the book, I'm going to say what I probably should have said earlier. I think that both are better enjoyed with the other. The book is decent. It lacks real empathy or connection between the reader and the characters, as their stories are all rather short and narrow. But it has nuggets here and there of grand importance. And there is a fair amount of interesting character development moments, though none of them have a full arc. The musical has interesting scenes, funny physical comedy, and absolutely amazing songs. So read the book, listen to the album, and pair them together, and you'll get a truly full experience.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually bought this book back in 2007, after having seen and very much enjoyed the Broadway musical version of the story - but never got around to reading it. It brought back memories of that terrific production, but is a very good novel in its own right. Unless one has an interest in theatre history in general, or the commedia dell'arte in particular, I doubt one would find it all that intriguing though. My one quibble is that each of the characters narrates one of the seven chapters, yet all speak in exactly the same tone.

[Justin Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's set in 17th century Italy but you wouldn't know it from reading it. The Glorious Ones are a troupe of actors made up of archetypes and each tells their story, parading forth their dreams and obsessions. It's one of those books about stories and the power of stories. Probably not for everyone, but a refreshing read just the same.

[Jane Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful journey through Italy in the time of the Commedia dell'arte. Was a little disappointed in the ending; the narrative power fizzled out. Ending was sappy compared to the rest of the book. I was expecting something more feisty.

[Laila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I could have skipped this one. I can recognize how clever some of the writing is, especially how Prose pokes fun at the useless, bumbling doctor with his own voice. But overall, quickly forgettable.

[Jessica Kwasniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Glorious Ones was an excellent first novel by the prolific Francine Prose. Set in 17th century Italy, it tells the tale of a theatre troupe. Each chapter is a different person's perspective. A great, quick read.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful romp through commedia dell'arte from the different points of view of the players in a small troupe wandering around Italy and France. Turned into a Broadway musical that I can't wait to see on dvd.

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had hoped for something much different. But it was intriguing. If you are interested in commedia dell'arte, as I am, then this might appeal to you.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Harriett Milnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short novel with each chapter done by a different, stock character from the commedia dell'arte.