The Vietnam Plays, Vol. 1: The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel / Sticks and Bones

The Vietnam Plays

by David Rabe

David Rabe has been a major voice and crucial force in American drama since 1971 when, in the midst of the Vietnam War, he startled the nation with The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel. The story of a native recruit’s initiation into war, it is by turns brutal and hilarious. It won the young playwright an Obie and was hailed by The New York Times as “rich humor, irony, and insight.” More than two decades later, Rabe continues to be one of our most compelling dramatists, acclaimed most recently for the Tony Award-winning Hurlyburly.

In this, the first of two volumes of The Vietnam Plays, Pavlo Hummel is paired with the equally intense Sticks and Stones, in which a blinded Vietnam veteran returns home numbed by the war and is astonished by his family’s inability to comprehend their country’s politics and his rage.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 1978

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like last year, the plan is to read more stage plays (which is part of why I set my reading goal so high), and these two are both pretty incredible. Written and performed during the height of the Vietnam War, these both struck me as being bracingly honest and kind of shockingly harsh. The overall approach isn't too far off from Sam Shepard's work from around the same time, especially in "Sticks and Bones."

Of the two, I definitely prefer "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel," but that's mostly because it's so easy for me to imagine the main character being performed by the likes of William Atherton (in its original staging) or Al Pacino (which would have no doubt been fucking electric). Although the boldness and severity of the language in "Sticks and Bones" still comes across effectively even today, which is no mean feat.

[Evelyn Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice opening, and this kind of story is always eye-catching. It's actually hard to imagine how a father obsessed with glory to face a boy with PTSD, which is also described by many other playwrights. But still, the latter half of the play is just a kind of boring... and the father complains too much...

[Mikey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish. The self indulgent preface was more interesting than the play itself.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rabe offers a strong and authentic voice, but I just couldn't get into either play due to the fragmented storylines. This could be the PTSD of the playwright or his intentional metaphor for it.

[Lluvia Almanza · Rating 3 out of 5]

These plays focus on the Vietnam war and the effect of it on two soldiers. I had never heard of these plays before and I found them hard to understand. "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel" was very confusing to me. I think this is one of those plays that are better being seen on stage. These plays were very popular when they were first published.

[Dan]

It should be noted, that I think I read Pavlo Hummel and Streamers years ago. My memory of them is a complete blank.

[Hime-honeybadger · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is difficult to read and understand "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel" for people who have not experienced combat in the military. It is good, but I would rather watch the play than read it.

[Aaron Myall · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first time I this play to the 5th time, I picked up new nuances and metaphors throughout. I loved this play, and will absolutely see it in production.