48 pages 1 hour read

Tennessee Williams

The Night of the Iguana

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1961

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Night of the Iguana, a play by Tennessee Williams, revolves around Lawrence T. Shannon, a disgraced former minister turned tour guide, who is accused of statutory rape. At a rustic hotel owned by Maxine Faulk in Mexico, Shannon battles to maintain control of his tour group. The play delves into themes of man's relationship with God, sexual desire, loneliness, jealousy, and confinement.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana is lauded for its rich, complex characters and intense emotional depth, capturing human frailties and existential dilemmas. Critics praise Williams' potent dialogue and vivid setting. However, some find the narrative pacing occasionally sluggish, and the plot's density a potential obstacle for casual readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Night of the Iguana?

A reader who enjoys introspective drama, complex characters, and psychological tension will find The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams riveting. Fans of Williams' other works or those who appreciate Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman and Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night will likely be drawn to this powerful, character-driven narrative.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Southern Gothic

American Literature

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness

Identity: Mental Health

Natural World: Animals

Topics

History: U.S.

History: World

Period

Southern Gothic