Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
Graft - A Comedy in Four Acts - cover

Graft - A Comedy in Four Acts

Harold Brighouse

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In Harold Brighouse's play "Graft," we are immersed in the complex world of a struggling theatre company grappling with the inherent tensions between artistic integrity and commercial success. Written in the early 20th century, the play employs sharp wit and engaging dialogue, blending realism with elements of farce to explore themes of ambition, ethics, and the pursuit of identity within the arts. Through a cast of vividly drawn characters, Brighouse poignantly captures the challenges faced by creatives in a capitalist society, inviting audiences to ponder the moral implications of compromise in the name of success. Brighouse, an influential British playwright born in 1882 in Manchester, was deeply influenced by the vibrant cultural landscape of his hometown and the burgeoning theatre scene. His experiences as an actor and his keen understanding of the theatrical business informed his writing, leading him to craft narratives that resonate with both personal and professional dilemmas. "Graft" particularly reflects Brighouse's own struggles with loyalty to artistic vision versus the need for financial viability, a conflict that parallels many artists' experiences. Readers who appreciate clever dialogue and thought-provoking themes will find "Graft" a compelling exploration of the theatre world. This play is not only a captivating narrative but also a significant commentary on the sacrifices made in the pursuit of art. It remains relevant today as it evokes a timeless conversation about the balance between creativity and commercialism.
Available since: 09/16/2022.
Print length: 54 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • Austerlitz or Death - cover

    Austerlitz or Death

    Auguste Vallois

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    "Austerlitz or Death" is an epic historical novel by Auguste Vallois, a captain of the Imperial Guard who recounts his memories from the battlefields of Europe to the solitude of inner exile. 
    From his revolutionary youth in Lyon to the Egyptian campaign, the victories in Italy, the glory at Austerlitz, the frozen hell of Russia, and the final tragedy at Waterloo, Auguste tells the story of the Napoleonic Empire in first person and with painful clarity—not from the pages of history books, but from the blood, mud, and soul of those who built it… and watched it fall. 
    Through these pages, the reader will march alongside a man who lost everything but his honor. You will witness how a soldier is forged, how faith fades, how a sword is held even on broken knees. Each chapter is filled with emotion, introspection, fire, and silence. Every victory bears the taste of sacrifice, and every defeat, the dignity of those who never surrendered. 
    Vallois's prose is both elegant and raw, intimate and epic, heir to the great traditions of war and memory literature such as All Quiet on the Western Front or The Disasters of War. This is not the official history of Napoleon, nor the tale of grand strategists. It is the story of the anonymous men who believed in something greater than themselves… and paid the price. 
    A novel that masterfully blends epic military drama, psychological depth, and historical tragedy. Ideal for readers of war literature, historical fiction, soldier memoirs, or explorations of the human condition in times of crisis. 
    "I served the Emperor. And I do not regret it." 
    — Auguste Vallois
    Show book
  • The Children's Train - Escape on the Kindertransport - cover

    The Children's Train - Escape on...

    Jana Zinser

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    This compelling Holocaust action adventure story tells of bravery, sacrifice, and the survival of the human spirit against Hitler and the horrors of war."Gripping and impossible to put down. I cried several times throughout. Perfect ending, emotional but complete." - Goodreads reviewIt begins in November 1938 on The Night of the Broken Glass, when Jewish people of Germany are terrified as Hitler's men shatter their store windows, steal and destroy their belongings, and arrest many Jewish fathers and brothers.Parents face unparalleled fear for their own lives but their focus is on protecting their beloved children.When England arranges to take the children out of Germany by train, the Kindertransport is organized and parents scramble to get places on the trains for their young family members, worried about what the future will hold.Soon, trains filled with Jewish children escaping the Nazis chug over the border into Holland, where they are ferried across the English Channel to England and to freedom. But for Peter, the shy violin player, his sister Becca, and his friends Stephen and Hans, life in England holds challenges as well. Peter's friend Eva, who did not get a seat on the Kindertransport, is left to the evil plans of Hitler.Peter, working his musician's hands raw at a farm in Coventry, wonders if they should have stayed and fought back instead of escaping. When the Coventry farm is bombed as the Nazis reach England, Peter feels he has nothing left. He decides it's time to stand and fight Hitler.Peter courageously returns to Germany to join the Jewish underground resistance, search desperately for his mother and sister he left behind in Berlin, and try to rescue his friend Eva."A beautifully written book. Sadly, the historical details are true and this makes the story all the more poignant. At times heartbreaking, at times hopeful and optimistic, this book will stay with the reader for a long time. The author is definitely one to watch" ~ Dorothy M Calderwood (Media Professional) for NetGalley". . . Jana Zinser brilliantly expresses the horror, confusion and fear that not only Peter but the other children in the novel are feeling and thinking when witnessing the atrocities by the Nazis . . When I began this book I thought that I had quite a lot of knowledge about the Holocaust but I was surprised to learn about the Kindertransport children. Although this novel is fiction, the Kindertransport was not and I will never forget about the ones that made it on those trains and also the ones who did not . . ." - Amanda - NetGalley and Goodreads reviews". . . The Children's Train by Jana Zinser absolutely blew me away! Heartbreaking, terrifying and traumatic it was also filled with hope and courage, determination and inspiration. Over six million Jews died at the hands of the Nazis and many of them were children. Though The Children's Train is fiction, the sad and tragic truth stands out and stays with you. I know this book will stay with me! The Children's Train is an absolute credit to this author and I have no hesitation in recommending it extremely highly. . . " - Brenda, Goodreads review"I'm positive that I held my breath for most of this book. I wouldn't be surprised if I'd held my breath for the entire time I'd been reading this. This book was so unlike any other I've read. It's gripping, powerful, heartbreaking and intense --- so, so, so intense . . . I honestly have no words right now; this book was amazing and thrilling, and so sad." - Leah, Goodreads review 
    Show book
  • Mr Smith to You - cover

    Mr Smith to You

    Kerry Taylor

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    A novel based on the true story of Australian jockey Bill Smith – a life lived in secret. 
    For most of his 76 years, Bill Smith preferred solitude over socialising, horses over people and confidentiality over confidantes. As a jockey, he was known for always turning up already fully kitted out in his silks. But now, in his advancing years, a fall lands him in full-time care and it becomes impossible to maintain his privacy. Nurse Maureen Bannon resents having to look after ‘the geries’, especially grumpy old buggers like Mr Smith, but when she discovers Bill’s secret an unlikely alliance is formed. Bill was assigned female at birth, a fact that shaped his life but never limited his ambition. With Mr Smith’s health declining and time running out, Maureen wants to find someone who knows and loves him, but only one name seems to mean anything to Bill – Catherine, his first love. Can Maureen find out more to help Bill find peace? 
    Mr Smith to You is a beautiful and tender novel about identity and a powerful testament to kindness and the human spirit.
    Show book
  • Kalki in Parthiban Kanavu Pagam 2 Complete - Tamil Audio Book - cover

    Kalki in Parthiban Kanavu Pagam...

    Kalki Krishnamurthy

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Parthiban Kanavu, a famous Tamil historical novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy, now available as an audiobook. A timeless classic that portrays the dreams of King Parthiban and the valor of his son Vikraman, blending history, patriotism, and imagination in Tamil literature.
    Show book
  • Momentum - Montessori A Life in Motion - cover

    Momentum - Montessori A Life in...

    E.G. Slade

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    "Simply brilliant—no, complexly brilliant. I have never read a more absorbing, unflinching, intense embodiment of biographical fiction." 
     — Sena Jeter Naslund, author of Abundance, a Novel of Marie Antoinette and Ahab's Wife 
    "Elizabeth Slade has added a profound new book to the literature around Dr. Maria Montessori's life that takes readers on a first-person historical fiction narrative that embraces Montessori's personal life, her journey into motherhood, and ultimately, her humanity as the person behind this incredible movement.”  
     — Mariana Bissonnette, author of Babies Build Toddlers 
    Momentum is a captivating historical novel about Dr. Maria Montessori, a brilliant woman who defied societal norms, becoming one of Italy's first female doctors and later revolutionizing education worldwide. Taking its bones from an actual diary written by Dr. Montessori in 1913 chronicling her first voyage to America, Momentum is a fictionalized retelling of that same journey. Written directly to her son, Mario, the novel illuminates their complicated relationship and how he came to be raised by others while she focused on her work. Momentum is a compelling portrait of a woman who overcame countless obstacles to leave a lasting impact on the field of education. 
    Show book
  • Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc - cover

    Personal Recollections of Joan...

    Mark Twain

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" by Mark Twain is a powerful and deeply respectful historical novel that reveals a lesser-known side of one of America's greatest humorists. Considered by Twain himself to be his finest work, this book presents a moving and intimate portrayal of Joan of Arc, the young French heroine whose faith, courage, and leadership changed the course of history.
    
    Told through the fictional memoir of Sieur Louis de Conte, Joan's childhood friend and page, the narrative follows Joan's life from her humble beginnings in the village of Domrémy to her rise as a divinely inspired military leader during the Hundred Years' War. Through this personal perspective, Twain humanizes Joan, portraying her not as a distant legend but as a compassionate, intelligent, and fearless young woman driven by an unshakable sense of purpose.
    
    With meticulous historical research and vivid storytelling, Twain recreates medieval France in rich detail—its political intrigue, religious fervor, brutal warfare, and social divisions. The novel captures both the triumphs and tragedies of Joan's mission, culminating in her trial and martyrdom, moments rendered with emotional depth and quiet reverence.
    
    Unlike Twain's more satirical works, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc is sincere and restrained, reflecting his profound admiration for its subject. Themes of faith, justice, sacrifice, and moral courage run throughout the book, offering readers a timeless meditation on leadership and integrity in the face of overwhelming opposition.
    
    Both a compelling historical narrative and a heartfelt tribute, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc stands as a unique and enduring work in Mark Twain's body of writing. It is an essential read for lovers of historical fiction, classic literature, and inspiring stories of courage and conviction.
    Show book