The Story of a Play: A Novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Story of a Play: A Novel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Story of a Play: A Novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Howells, William Dean (1837–1920).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Story of a Play" by William Dean Howells is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the collaborative process of creating a play, primarily through the interaction between a young actor, Godolphin, and the playwright, Maxwell, as they navigate the intricacies of character development and artistic vision. At the heart of the story lies the character Haxard, a man grappling with the consequences of his past as he prepares for success in his present. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to a conversation between the ambitious actor and the playwright. Maxwell shares his intricate ideas for his new play, which explores themes of biblical morality and the consequences of sin. As the two discuss plot elements, including a pivotal dinner scene and Haxard's complex character, the various challenges of writing for the stage are revealed. The tension between artistic integrity and commercial appeal emerges, especially as Godolphin insists on including more traditional love elements in the play, leading to a discussion of how Maxwell could integrate new ideas without compromising his vision. This opening sets the stage for further exploration of relationships, artistic ambition, and the dynamics of collaboration within the theatrical world.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Story of a Play: A Novel
- Author credits: Howells, William Dean (1837–1920)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Dramatists -- Fiction
- Married people -- Fiction
- Theater -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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