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Title: Equus (Penguin Plays) by Peter Shaffer ISBN: 0-14-026070-6 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: October, 1984 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.77 (30 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Frightening, yet powerful
Comment: Equus is a hard-hitting dramatic work that will make readers question their beliefs in mental illness, religion (particularly Christianity), and the emotional and spiritual emptiness described in most adults as 'normal behavior.' Schaffer achieves a nearly unthinkable task at making his audience almost feel sympathy for Alan, a young man who has cruelly blinded six horses.
Along Dysart's (the psychiatrist who must discover why Alan has committed such a horrible crime) and the reader's journey through Alan's tortured life and mind, the reader comes to partially understand and all but accept Alan's deed as a man's faith betraying him. Dysart, paralelling Alan in the 'normal' world, experiences that loss of worship in a far different, yet equally devastating manner.
I suggest seeing the play performed if at all possible. Seeing Equus live-action truly brings it's horrific brilliance to life.
Rating: 5
Summary: He blinded six horses with a metal spike...
Comment: My GCSE (16+ exams) English coursework title - "What makes 'Equus' a powerful play?" After rattling on for 6 sides, I realised that I was never going to have enough time, energy left in my hand or ink left in my pen to complete the assignment. Everything about this play, the religion, sexual connotations and deep misunderstandings about the human mind contribute to a most disturbing atmosphere created by Schaffer, which works effectively to produce 'Equus'.
And just a note to anybody who had read the book, and something to encourage you future readers - look deeply into the names of the characters, Alan, Dora and Frank Strang. If you get out a name dictionary, you may discover something very interesting...
Rating: 4
Summary: Catalyst for Thought
Comment: Peter Shaffer's Equus is at best an excellent catalyst for thought. The play deals with a troublesome boy around the age of 17, Alan Strang. Alan is corrupted by his parents' conflicting beliefs. The result is a confused boy who commits a horrific crime, blinding six horses. The exploration through the minds of Dr. Dysart and Alan is mind-blowing, reaching to the very depths of the human dark side. Shaffer almost manages to offer an explanation for seemingly innate passion, which is something that authors and humans have been struggling with for quite some time.
The actual events of Equus, both violent and explicitely sexual, may rub the average reader the wrong way, but the mental explanations behind these actions surpass any discomfort with the plot.
I also saw the movie that is based on this play. The movie does not allow the viewer to contemplate the dialogue long enough, therefore, the viewer's benefit is less than that of the reader. The movie could be considered by some to be vulgar and disgusting. There is full nudity, and the blinding of the horses is difficult to watch (& to stomach), but overall, a very intriguing book.
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Title: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, Henry Popkin ISBN: 0802132758 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: May, 1991 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title:Peter Shaffer's "Equus": A Study Guide from Gale's "Drama for Students" ASIN: B00006G3AO Publisher: The Gale Group Pub. Date: 23 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $3.95 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $3.95 |
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Title: Fifty Ways to Avoid Malpractice: A Guidebook for Mental Health Professionals by Robert Henley Woody ISBN: 0943158540 Publisher: Professional Resource Exchange Pub. Date: December, 1988 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title:Equus ASIN: B00007KQA2 Publisher: MGM/UA Video Pub. Date: 04 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $17.98 |
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Title: Abnormal Psychology: The Problem of Maladaptive Behavior (10th Edition) by Irwin G. Sarason, Barbara R. Sarason, Barbara A. Sarason ISBN: 0130918490 Publisher: Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 21 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $102.67 |
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