What do you think?
Rate this book
On the Open Road
Set in a landscape stripped bare by civil war, two “independents” forge an alliance of convenience in order to buy their way into the land of the free, the one safe haven in an otherwise lawless landscape. Hiding from marauding armies, they travel the country, gathering great art treasures from crumbling museums. But with the border to freedom in sight, they're captured by forces from the new coalition government. They can still buy their freedom – if they agree to do one little job for the new government.
114 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
42 people want to read
About the author
Steve Tesich
27 books44 followersStojan Steve Tesich was a Serbian-American screenwriter, playwright and novelist. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1979 for the movie Breaking Away.
His novel Karoo was published posthumously in 1998. Arthur Miller described the novel: "Fascinating—a real satiric invention full of wise outrage.” The novel was a New York Times Notable Book for 1998. Summer Crossing (1982), was also published in a German translation as Ein letzter Sommer and in a French translation as Rencontre d'été.
His novel Karoo was published posthumously in 1998. Arthur Miller described the novel: "Fascinating—a real satiric invention full of wise outrage.” The novel was a New York Times Notable Book for 1998. Summer Crossing (1982), was also published in a German translation as Ein letzter Sommer and in a French translation as Rencontre d'été.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 25, 2019
I saw this play in its premiere run at The Goodman in Chicago in 1992, and bought the script on the way out. Sometime after college I loaned it to an acquaintance and never got it back. Finally picked up another copy (the Samuel French edition) and it's as good — and as bleak — as I remembered.
April 16, 2018
Three different versions of this play. On a literary perspective -- they're all interesting and enjoyable and watching the development of the script is illuminating. From a performance perspective, the Samuel French version is definitely the clearest and most accessible (and for my money satisfying). Still comparing all three versions is an interesting study.
June 1, 2008
In a barren landscape laid waste by civil war, two men struggle to find safety and freedom. But which side is the "right" side?
A quirky black-comedy overlays a shapr social/political commentary. Just how far will someone go to gain freedom? How do you choose which side you stand with? Morality and compassion are put aside as the two main characters take the long treacherous road to what they hope will be a more secure life. In the end, their morals and compassion are what let in the one ray of goodness they find. Loved this one.
A quirky black-comedy overlays a shapr social/political commentary. Just how far will someone go to gain freedom? How do you choose which side you stand with? Morality and compassion are put aside as the two main characters take the long treacherous road to what they hope will be a more secure life. In the end, their morals and compassion are what let in the one ray of goodness they find. Loved this one.
January 28, 2010
This is basically a retelling of Waiting for Godot. If you like that play and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead this may be the play for you. I, however, didn't like this play as much as I would have wished, and I couldn't escape the feeling, having read those previous two superior plays, that I was visiting a place I'd already been.
August 7, 2008
A little dark, a little violent, a little funny -- a provocative little play.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews