Though this play is usually typed as absurdist, think of it, rather, as a record of the triumph of the human spirit in the tradition of Voltaire. This is just one more great example of the French literary tradition that began with Ronsard and his progenitors and continued too with Ionesco and Ayme. Vivre l'esprit humain!

Perhaps one of the most effecting plays I've ever read or seen. Besides being an hellaciously good yarn, it's funny, exciting, and --yes, Absurd. It's at once damning in its sociology and cautionary in its philosophy. Read or see this play and your life will never be the same; it helped me discover who I really am.

This play is probably Giraudoux's masterpiece: it contains every emotion that could possibly be felt by a woman torn between the love of her brother and the hate of her mother. Electre is a complex mythical character, incredibly well described by Jean Giraudoux.

If you are not a native speaker of French, or if you are a student of French, but still want to read the original French text Giraudoux's play Intermezzo, this edition is for you. Don't get any other edition. This one provides the original French text, but it also has notes & commentary in English explaining any difficulties of text or grammar or idiom. It also has a French-English glossary. The convenience of this setup cannot be overstated.

Four short plays, seductive and fickle water nymphs with the visage of Audrey Hepburn, love that can animate sculpted statues, madwomen and the ghosts of those who've loved them... a universal celebration and recognition of small sacrifices and gestures hidden within grand tales of mythic proportions. Keep this book close for the rest of your eventful life.

The Madwoman of Chaillot ( as portrayed by Katharine Hepburn in the movie version) is a two-act play about the destruction of the forces of evil by one older, senile woman - the Madwoman. A group of money-hungry corporation presidents team up with prospectors who claim to have found oil right beneath the streets of Paris's Chaillot suburb, and the Madwoman rallies her bohemian friends and neighbors to stop them from destroying the city. The play is very dramatic and also humorous in parts; it seems primarily a fantasy, but has several fantastic parts for female characters, among them the Madwoman and her group of eccentric, delightful fellow Madwomen. I recommend it highly to any group of adolescent/young adult actors who are looking for a challenge.

I believe this is the play in which the role "Countess" appears...and if it is, I would like to write my opinion based upon performing in the role of Countess many years ago. This play is hysterical, entertaining, and a joy for those performing it as well as those seeing or reading it. It involves eccentric, rich old ladies who try to carry on with afternoon tea despite thier various quirky personalities(mainly quirky due to senility and the hallucinations that accompany it). A great play for adolescent through adult actors. It is worth having on your shelf if you instruct drama in any way.

if you're planning on reading it in french, I woudl recommend that you buy the full version, not the "extraits"

This is a humorous and also serious ficticious story of the events surrounding the Trojan War. We get up-close and personal with the characters (Helen, Paris, Hector, Ulysses, Priam) and also other people that would have had influences, but are totally made-up ("le Geometre," "Demokos," "Iris," etc.). Though this book does not have a lot of war action, its fast-pace politics are entertaining enough. The passions these characters have are immeasurable. Don't read this book if you want to learn about Greek mythology or a factual re-enactment of Troy. Do read this book if you enjoy fiction/fantasy and want to brush up on your french ;).

Giraudoux writes this play after World War I. He brings Greek mythology into the text and foresights World War II through his comparison of Troy loosing Helene and starting another war to Germany having everything taken away after WWI like the Rhinevalley and any hope of glory. There is a lot of comedy, but more importantly a lot of truth into the future. It is an amazing story and a quick read.