In True West by Sam Shepard, two estranged brothers, Austin, a respectable screenplay writer, and Lee, a disheveled thief, clash at their mother's house while attempting to adopt each other's lifestyle. As tensions escalate, they struggle with their identities and relationship, culminating in a volatile and chaotic struggle between their conflicting worlds.

Dark

Mysterious

Unnerving

Gritty

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.2

11,182 ratings

61%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Review Roundup

True West by Sam Shepard brilliantly portrays the volatile dynamics of brotherhood and the American Dream's darker undertones. Critics praise its sharp dialogue, compelling character study, and dark humor. However, some find its abrupt shifts jarring. Overall, it's a powerful exploration of identity and familial conflict.

Who Should Read True West?

True West by Sam Shepard appeals to readers who enjoy intense family dynamics and themes of identity and rivalry. Fans of works like Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire or Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? will appreciate Shepard's raw, fragmented portrayal of the American Dream and sibling conflict.

4.2

11,182 ratings

61%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

True West was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1983, highlighting Sam Shepard's influence on American theater.

The play had a notable 1982 off-Broadway production featuring actors Tommy Lee Jones and Peter Boyle, adding to its legacy with compelling performances.

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Sam Shepard's True West is often studied for its exploration of the American identity and sibling rivalry, themes common in Shepard's body of work.

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Book Details

Pages

Format

Play • Fiction

Genre

Education

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