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Quills and Other Plays
Selected early works from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright.
Throughout his work, Doug Wright has often combined the personal, the social, and the political, in the process unearthing fundamental truths about life and art while casting an unblinking eye on the dark--and darkly funny--side of human nature. Gathered here are three of Wright's early plays, including Interrogating the Nude, a tongue-in-cheek reimagining of the uproar surrounding the debut of Marcel Duchamp's work in America; Watbanaland, a satiric dissection of yuppie desire and a haunting look at family and faith; and the Obie Award-winning Quills, which explores the boundaries of artistic expression and the dangers of censorship as they played out in the Marquis de Sade's final days at Charenton Asylum.
Throughout his work, Doug Wright has often combined the personal, the social, and the political, in the process unearthing fundamental truths about life and art while casting an unblinking eye on the dark--and darkly funny--side of human nature. Gathered here are three of Wright's early plays, including Interrogating the Nude, a tongue-in-cheek reimagining of the uproar surrounding the debut of Marcel Duchamp's work in America; Watbanaland, a satiric dissection of yuppie desire and a haunting look at family and faith; and the Obie Award-winning Quills, which explores the boundaries of artistic expression and the dangers of censorship as they played out in the Marquis de Sade's final days at Charenton Asylum.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2005
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About the author
Doug Wright
49 books13 followersDoug Wright is an American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2004 for his play, I Am My Own Wife.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 9, 2025
When people move into a nursing home, they can only take a handful of things with them, such as a small amount of books. This will be in my handful of books.
Each play more of a mindf*ck then the next, Doug Wright earned that Pulitzer. I am so haunted by the story and quality of these plays.
The first play is about Marcel Duchamp turning himself in for murder.
The second play about hunger in people, in various capacities.
The third about insanity and freedom of speech and the meanings of good and evil.
This book has blasted its way into my top favorite books of all time.
Each play more of a mindf*ck then the next, Doug Wright earned that Pulitzer. I am so haunted by the story and quality of these plays.
The first play is about Marcel Duchamp turning himself in for murder.
The second play about hunger in people, in various capacities.
The third about insanity and freedom of speech and the meanings of good and evil.
This book has blasted its way into my top favorite books of all time.
March 19, 2020
Interrogating the Nude: Cute. Very much a first work, but fun and precocious enough to entertain. I’d love to see an all-out noir staging of this.
Watbanaland: Douglas Sirk meets Vonnegut. Formally impressive and blazing in its characterizations. Possibly Wright’s best?
Quills: Ahh, the kind of solid little tale that makes you realize you don’t remember when Tales stopped being this way (‘90s/Treehouse of Horror/British horror-comedy era??). Very fun, very naughty.
Watbanaland: Douglas Sirk meets Vonnegut. Formally impressive and blazing in its characterizations. Possibly Wright’s best?
Quills: Ahh, the kind of solid little tale that makes you realize you don’t remember when Tales stopped being this way (‘90s/Treehouse of Horror/British horror-comedy era??). Very fun, very naughty.
July 27, 2014
Loved Quills and Interrogating the Nude, but couldn't get into Watbanaland.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews