In Savoy.
Stein, Gertrude. In Savoy. Or yes is yes for a very young man. (A play of the resistance in France.) London: The Pushkin Press, (1946).
8vo.; blue “Savoy” stamp on front endpaper; blue wrappers printed in red and blue; cream dust-jacket illustrated in red and blue; advertisements of other Pushkin Press publications on rear panel.
First edition of one of Stein’s last plays and her first non-musical play. Wilson A41. Stein tells the story of a French family living under German occupation, and reflects the deep social concern that characterizes much of her post-war writing. Despite its heavy subject matter, Stein finds a way to incorporate humor and irony, and its one performance during her lifetime—in Pasadena, CA—was well-received; later productions also achieved moderate success. Not surprisingly, the play’s weakness is undoubtedly its “talkiness” and lack of on-stage action—characters repeatedly discuss their emotions and thoughts, but do previous little. Her characters are, however, dimensional and compelling; Stein excellently represents the range of behavior of the French as they struggle to come to terms with their situation. Some passively succumb, some join the resistance, but most are caught somewhere in the middle, torn between fear and patriotism. (Selected Operas and Plays of Gertrude Stein, ed. John Michael Brinnin, Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1970, pp. 239-246)
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