People of the Book

by Yussef El Guindi

Jason returns from war to literary glory after writing an international best-seller, but his celebrity is underscored by his marriage to Madeeha, an Iraqi woman he saved. When he reunites with old friends, Amir and Lynn, questions emerge about the veracity of the book and its particular patriotic American gaze. Lust, jealousy, and personal politics bring things between old friends to a boiling point and we are...

Jason returns from war to literary glory after writing an international best-seller, but his celebrity is underscored by his marriage to Madeeha, an Iraqi woman he saved. When he reunites with old friends, Amir and Lynn, questions emerge about the veracity of the book and its particular patriotic American gaze. Lust, jealousy, and personal politics bring things between old friends to a boiling point and we are asked “what is the expense of lies – personally and as a country?

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People of the Book

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  • Alice Josephs: People of the Book

    Playing with stereotypes with serious intent, this play is an engrossing drama with recognisable characters which takes unexpected turns and works on two levels. The story of a high school nerd who after honourable military service writes a bestseller. But also asking how much a nation’s story, especially a ‘victorious’ nation’s story, is manufactured from literary stereotypes and a nation’s audience consent to, even collude in, a narrative becoming a ‘legal’ history, along with the spoils of war. With equally weighty roles for four actors, People Of The Book is a challenging and always...

    Playing with stereotypes with serious intent, this play is an engrossing drama with recognisable characters which takes unexpected turns and works on two levels. The story of a high school nerd who after honourable military service writes a bestseller. But also asking how much a nation’s story, especially a ‘victorious’ nation’s story, is manufactured from literary stereotypes and a nation’s audience consent to, even collude in, a narrative becoming a ‘legal’ history, along with the spoils of war. With equally weighty roles for four actors, People Of The Book is a challenging and always enthralling drama.

  • Tiffany Antone: People of the Book

    I could NOT stop reading this script. Wow - talk about knockout roles for the actors, and a gripping story that kept me reading well past my bedtime. A powerful story, each character with their own intense voice, and the play introduces weighty questions through narrative without it ever feeling heavy-handed. Would love to see this produced!

    I could NOT stop reading this script. Wow - talk about knockout roles for the actors, and a gripping story that kept me reading well past my bedtime. A powerful story, each character with their own intense voice, and the play introduces weighty questions through narrative without it ever feeling heavy-handed. Would love to see this produced!

  • Cheryl Bear: People of the Book

    Extremely powerful and well crafted. Strong characters and a thought-provoking drama that immerses us. Excellent!

    Extremely powerful and well crafted. Strong characters and a thought-provoking drama that immerses us. Excellent!

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