I must second the motion of other reviewers of this series. On my fourth birthday, I received Story Number Three, and it has remained my favorite children's book ever since. Today I am fortunate enough to be able to read it to my own son who adores it as much as I, but only because I have kept my copy for 22 years. Story Number Three is a wonderful, original story, and the illustrations are like none I have ever seen in any other publication. It is rare that you find a children's book that is truly a work of art in every sense of the word, and rarer still that an artist of Ionesco's caliber has devoted his skill to the arena of children's literature. How tragic that the books themselves have become a rarity. Please put this series back in print so that I can read the rest of them and pass on more of something great to my little one!

I can't agree more whole-heartedly with the others who have reviewed these books (BTW, I believe there are at least four -- not only two) and am astonished that they are not available. They are absolutely fabulous. I am fortunate to have stories 1-4, and my children never tire of reading about Josette, who comes to her papa's bedroom one morning, as she did every morning... I've nearly memorized them. PLEASE get these books back into print!!

This book (and Story #1) were my favorite books as a child... I have been looking around for them ever since my own friends have started having children, but, sadly, have had no luck... It's sad sad sad that they are no longer available... I think every child should be given both of these books... two of very few children's books in existence that don't insult the intelligence of children in some way...

A beautiful book that sparks with the wonderment of life. I am inspired by the way Ionesco combines storytelling and philosophy in such a elgeant manner. He is able to provide organization to the chaos which is the search for understanding. He writes honestly and from the heart with the most humble tone i have read in a long time. Anyone who has ever pondered the basic questions of life and death should read this book. He will both inspire and teach any open mind.

Ionescu wrote a jouranl that make takes your breath away. There is so much human understanding, so deep and still so common questions he poses inthis book that one cannot stop admiring it. He was ald when he wrote it and all his fame and career were already behind. The 'member of the French Academy' the 'imortal' appears to the reader amazingly simple and shy with a touch of gentilness and kindness sending you rather to Reiner Maria Rilke than to the author of 'Rhinoceros'.A book that deserves to be read!

This play is about a man who had many chances to be great in life but just led a simple life with his wife. Then after many years he decides to tell the dignitaries of his society his secret which starts the absurdities. You see the man and the woman talk to nobody and ask questions and respond to what that person probably would have said in a normal circumstance. "The Chairs" are representative of people that really aren't there because the only characters in the play are the old man, woman, and the person he hires to tell the world his big secret. The end is very surprising and in a sense funny but disturbing. In all it is a very worth while play that will stick with you for a long time.

We can enjoy to wonder in a philosophical and poetical labyrinth. The two exellent scholars play a wonderful session.Please listen to it, you can hear the clown's wordless shout.

What Ionesco writing books for children? Perhaps. Perhaps not. I suspect only he knows, but whatever the true intended audience, this book is brilliant! I loved this book! Although touted as stories for children 'under three years of age', these stories are more likely to be enjoyed by adults or anyone with an appreciation for irony. The story is about a young girl whose parents have been out carousing the night before. She tries to engage their attention but they send her away to the maid because their heads hurt. In a bizarre interchange both Josette and the maid glut themselves on the parents' food. Finally the young girl returns to her father who tells her a story about an entire family of people with the same name. His tale within a tale is as bizarre and meaningless as the tale itself. but it all works. The pictures that accompnay the book are rich and beautiful, if somewhat comic like. If you have any appreciation for Ionesco you will love this book, not only for the content but for its conversational value; " Hey did you know Ionesco wrote a children's book?" Buy it and love it!

This book is an interesting existential analysis of the human condition as seen through the eyes of a former office clerk who, after inheriting a large sum, decides to leave his job. From then on, he alternately exists experientially and through hallucination. He views the rush of the individual through the world in moments both intimate and clear followed by gigantic, historical events that pass in a blur. I found it to be a complex work of great style and vision. That sounds like a real cop-out but he really does make a fine set of statements in a vivid, yet surreal way. A good read but you gots to pay attention.

These stories were an important part of my early adulthood and my children's development into thinking adults. They entertain by inducing the audience to "entertain the ideas." Reading these stories (or having them read to you) is no passive experience and can yield great rewards in the joy of thinking. I believe the works of this series to be healthy mind food that eat like ice cream! I want these for my granddaughter and my second childhood. Please repint them...and in hardcover, heirloom editions. Even at twice the price, I would buy half-a-dozen.

Though Beckett is usually given the title of THE master of the Theater of the Absurd, in many respects, Ionesco's Bald Soprano encompasses all the revelant themes of the genre. Ionesco, through his black humor, psychological insight, use of language, and pragmatic critic of metaphysics, stands as one of the foremost playwrights of the past century. Recommended.

This book, being one of Ionesco's greatest, is without a doubt the epitome of the Theatre of the Absurd. I read this in a college french class of mine a few years ago and loved it. One warning for those who are unaccustomed to the tenets of this genre: this book does not make sense to the normal mind! nor does it intend to. The lesson this book teaches us is about the extent to which we take our language, and the reality behind it. Ionesco shows us, with alarming ease, that our language as we know it is useless, and ends up leading us in nothing but circles. Futility is a very crucial theme for this type of literature, and it is expressed by Ionesco wonderfully. If you'd like to try something with "a little more to it" , so to speak, Jean-Paul Sartre is a good place to start. Enjoy this book, this genre, and the lessons they provide.

In The Bald Soprano, Ionesco captures the true essence of the Theatre of the Absurd, while also offering significant political and social commentary. This is all not without the presence of humour. The Lesson contains Ionesco's traditional absurdist touch, but is indeed more grave and at times, disturbing. The focus is on the teacher-student relationship, but not without further political and social commentary. These two plays are essential for an understanding of Ionesco and his dramatic techniques, and, of course, they are both brilliant works of modern drama.

although i don't have a copy this particular book, (as it is extremely difficult to obtain). i do have a copy of The Bald Prima Donna translated by Donald Watson. Ionesco's first play and in my opinion one of his best. Ionesco uses great humour, it is classic Absudist Theatre at its best. Anyone studying drama or directing should read this play, it will open your eyes. if you thought waiting for godot was absurd, you will find this amazing!

this book features Ionesco's greatest works- The Lesson, The Bald Prima Donna and The Chairs. Particularly, it features a rare translation of The Blad Prima Donna, translated by Donald Watson, which in the other translation is entitled The Bald Soprano. the dialouge is quite different in this translation. This book is great for actors, directors, or Theatre enthusiasts, and is a must for any fan of Ionesco and/or Theatre of the Absurd.

Some say philosophy is simply the study of how to accustom man to let go of life. And, Exit the King deals exactly with this subject. The King, believed by some to be a metaphor for God (but that involves whole different implications) is dying. His kindom is falling apart and falling into nothingness. The King, at the urgings of "the Doctor," is forced to face that indeed, he will die within the course of this play.

Denial, Anger...all the usual forms of defense the King plays. The play centers around how the King is to deal with his impending death.

Marguerite, his young second wife, begs him to live in the moment, and the power of love and happiness in the present will overcome even death. Deny, and live in the present.

Marie, his older first wife, demands the King face reality, and look death in the face, scolding him for not doing so all his life and for being so ill prepared. She, in this short play, urges him through the process of letting go of his defenses and his insecurities, and embrace death.

The play is a thought provoking one, and an excellent short read.

This book made me think: am I the king that lives his life and doesn't care what happens? When I am just about to die, will I be regretting just like this king does? Am I living my life to its full extent? Some good philosophical questions are raised in the book. I recommend you to read it.