- Paperback: 96 pages
- Publisher: Faber & Faber; 1 edition (July 26 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0571199976
- ISBN-13: 978-0571199976
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 13.8 x 0.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 91 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #263,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-Twenty-five-year-old Catherine, who sacrificed college to care for her mentally ill father (once a brilliant, much-admired mathematician), is left in a kind of limbo after his death. Socially awkward and a bit of a shut-in, she is gruff with Hal, a former student who shows up even before the funeral wanting to root through the countless notebooks her father kept in the years of his decline, hoping to find mathematical gold. On the heels of his arrival comes Claire, Catherine's cosmopolitan, blandly successful, and pushy sister, with plans to sell their father's house and take Catherine (whom she's convinced has inherited a touch of their father's illness) with her back to New York. Catherine does not want to leave, and things become more complicated as she and Hal tentatively begin to develop a relationship. She gives him the key to a drawer in her father's desk, where the "gold" waits-in the form of a notebook filled with the most original and astonishing mathematical proof Hal has seen in years. Thrilled, he wants to take immediate steps to have the proof published in her father's name, until Catherine shocks both him and Claire by declaring that she is its author. Hal's harsh incredulity pushes Catherine into an indifferent funk, sorely disappointed by the insult of having to prove her honesty to a friend she had trusted. There is much to appeal to YAs in this Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play, which crackles with subtle wit while tackling large questions.
Emily Lloyd, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
After the death of her mathematical genius father, Catherine, who gave up her own study of mathematics to tend to him, claims that she is the author of a mathematical proof found in the attic among his unpublished, mostly incoherent notebooks by Hal, one of his former students. But what "proof" does Catherine have that she, and not her father, is the author? Her older sister, home to attend the funeral, doubts her claim and, in fact, doubts Catherine's own sanity. Hal, who has professional ambitions of his own, isn't exactly disinterested and may not be trustworthy; his sleeping with Catherine has also complicated the issue. The elusiveness of genius in general and the difficulty of a mathematical proof in particular here become metaphors for the uncertainties of love, trust, and personal integrity. This wonderful play has already won the Kesselring Prize for Auburn, also a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Proof's deft dialog, its careful structure, and the humanity of the central characters are themselves proof of a major new talent in the American theater. Strongly recommended for all drama collections. Robert W. Melton, Univ. of Kansas Libs., Lawrence
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
"faith and fear",
By "love_dr" (OK, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Proof (Paperback)
I recently saw the Manhatten Theater Club's production of Proof on Broadway, and I expect to find even more delightful surprises in my first reading of the script. David Auburn's examination of love, trust, and betrayal is subtle and moving. With a keen eye for true human nature, he pits the logic of mathmatics against our emotonal subjectivity and solves the conflict with simplicity and eloquence. His humor and clarity make this script a must-read for all who love intellectual/emotional power struggles. As a theater student, I read any play that falls into my hands, but rarely do I find one with such multi-layered characters matched by such an eloquently truthful plot. You won't be disappointed.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sanity in a crazy world,
By Rosebud (MI, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Proof (Paperback)
I saw Proof performed a couple years ago on Broadway, and have read the script twice since. Any performance of Proof hinges on the casting of Robert (an aging mathemetician) and Catherine (his daughter). The performance I saw had two magnificent actors in these roles, which smoothed away some of the rough edges of the script itself.Don't get me wrong; this is an amazing piece of playwriting, better than 99% of everything else out there. But the setting of the play is so very static, and its language so toned down, that it takes a very talented and entertaining group of actors to pull it off. The writing of Proof is very much like Chekov -- brilliant, but somewhat unapproachable. (Drama teachers take note: this is a great play for students to improve their acting skills, but a terrible play for students to actually perform.) The plot, if not the style, of this play can be compared to the style of the recent big-budget film (based on a novel) Big Fish. But in that comparison Proof comes off looking brilliant, and Big Fish comes off looking overwrought. If this play is done right, there is a moment toward the end that can compete -- in terms of sheer pathos and emotionality -- with anything Sophocles ever wrote. Watch for the stage direction: "After a long moment Catherine closes the notebook." It brought tears to my eyes.
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Proof",
By "lancebass3539" (Fort Wayne, IN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Proof (Paperback)
When I had to read a play for my drama class, my drama teacher handed me this play which I didn't have much hope for. Though it quickly changed my mind as I read this wonderful story about two sisters coping with a fathers death. I LOVE "Proof"!!! Thank you sooo much Mr. Auburn!!!
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