Skip to content

Plays Unpleasant: Widowers' Houses/The Philanderer/Mrs. Warren's Profession
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant: Widowers' Houses/The Philanderer/Mrs. Warren's Profession Paperback - 2001

by George Bernard Shaw; Introduction by David Edgar


Summary

"I had no taste for what is called popular art, no respect for popular morality, no belief in popular religion, no admiration for popular heroics"

With Plays Unpleasant, therefore, Shaw broke all the rules governing how a playwright should entertain his audience. In Widower's Houses, Harry Trench is engaged to brisk Blanche Sartorius. When he realizes that her father is a slum landlord, Harry questions whether he and Blanche have a future together. Charismatic Leonard Charteris is the philanderer who proposes marriage to Grace, while still involved with the beautiful Julia Craven. But Julia is not inclined to surrender him so easily. In Mrs Warren's Profession, Vivie discovers that her mother's immoral earnings have paid for her genteel upbringing. Will she be able to accept her mother for herself?

These plays, as David Edgar says, deal with "the conflict between youthful ideals and economics realities, the drawbacks of promiscuity and the perils of matrimony, the duties of women to others and themselves, the necessity for and the costs of revolt. What could be more eternal than that?"

The definitive text under the editorial supervision by Dan H. Laurence

Details

  • Title Plays Unpleasant: Widowers' Houses/The Philanderer/Mrs. Warren's Profession
  • Author George Bernard Shaw; Introduction by David Edgar
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition International Ed
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, New York
  • Date 2001-01-01
  • Features Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780140437935 / 0140437932
  • Weight 0.53 lbs (0.24 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.82 x 5.08 x 0.74 in (19.86 x 12.90 x 1.88 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Social conflict, Social problems
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2001266519
  • Dewey Decimal Code 822.912

About the author

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) is one of the world's greatest literary figures. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he left school at fourteen and in 1876 went to London, where he began his literary career with a series of unsuccessful novels. In 1884 he became a founder of the Fabian Society, the famous British socialist organization. After becoming a reviewer and drama critic, he published a study of the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen in 1891 and became determined to create plays as he felt Ibsen did: to shake audiences out of their moral complacency and to attack social problems. However, Shaw was an irrepressible wit, and his plays are as entertaining as they are socially provocative. Basically shy, Shaw created a public persona for himself: G.B.S., a bearded eccentric, crusading social critic, antivivisectionist, language reformer, strict vegetarian, and renowned public speaker. The author of fifty-three plays, hundreds of essays, reviews, and letters, and several books, Shaw is best known for Widowers' Houses, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Arms and the Man, Caesar and Cleopatra, Man and Superman, Major Barbara, Pygmalion, Heartbreak House, and Saint Joan. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925.

David Edgar (introducer) has written widely on theater. His original plays include Destiny, Maydays, and Pentecost.

Dan H. Laurence (series editor; 1920-2008) was series editor for the works of George Bernard Shaw in Penguin. Formerly a New York University faculty member, Mr. Laurence left his tenured position in 1970 to dedicated his life to the collection and curation of Shaw's life, work, and letters. He served as the official literary advisor to Shaw's estate and published four volumes of his correspondence.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

plays unpleasant
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

plays unpleasant

by shaw, bernard

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
RIVER FALLS, Wisconsin, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€3.49
€5.12 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Trade Paperback. Penguin 2000. University Sticker Attached to Backcover. Worn Along Spine and Edges. Acceptable Condition. Unless Listed in this decription, VG or Better.
Item Price
€3.49
€5.12 shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)

by Shaw, George Bernard

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4.84
€3.72 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Classics. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
Item Price
€4.84
€3.72 shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant: Widowers' Houses/The Philanderer/Mrs. Warren's Profession

Plays Unpleasant: Widowers' Houses/The Philanderer/Mrs. Warren's Profession

by Shaw, George Bernard

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€5.60
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 2001. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
€5.60
FREE shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant

Plays Unpleasant

by George Bernard Shaw

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€5.60
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2001. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
€5.60
FREE shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant

by Shaw, George Bernard

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.72
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
€6.72
FREE shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant

by Shaw, George Bernard

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.72
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
€6.72
FREE shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant

by Shaw, George Bernard

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.72
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
€6.72
FREE shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)

by George Bernard Shaw

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
USED Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Montclair, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.99
€4.65 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Classics, January 2001. Paperback. USED Good.
Item Price
€6.99
€4.65 shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)

by George Bernard Shaw; Introduction-David Edgar

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€7.03
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 2001-01-01. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
€7.03
FREE shipping to USA
Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Plays Unpleasant (Bernard Shaw Library)

by George Bernard Shaw

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - 3 PB standard 50%
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140437935 / 0140437932
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Peoria, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€7.69
€3.72 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Classics, January 2001. Mass Market . 3 PB standard 50%.
Item Price
€7.69
€3.72 shipping to USA