38 pages 1 hour read

Dylan Thomas

Under Milk Wood

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1954

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Under Milk Wood, a “play for voices” by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, opens at night in Llareggub, where First and Second Voice narrate the townspeople's dreams. Various characters, including Captain Cat, Mr. Waldo, and Polly Garter, reveal their thoughts and anxieties. As the day progresses, the community interacts and prepares for the evening dance, sharing love, humor, and gossip. Themes of death, infidelity, and unfulfilled love are explored.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood is celebrated for its lyrical prose and vivid characterizations of a small Welsh village. Positive reviews highlight Thomas's poetic brilliance and the play's rich humor. Some critics, however, note the dense language can be challenging and the narrative feel somewhat disjointed. Overall, it's esteemed for its artistic depth and nuanced portrayal of human nature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Under Milk Wood?

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas appeals to readers who appreciate poetic prose, rich characterizations, and lyrical depictions of small-town life. Fans of James Joyce's Ulysses and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude will enjoy its intricate narrative and vivid, dreamlike quality.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

British Literature

Drama / Tragedy

Topics

Love / Sexuality

Relationships

History: World

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Life/Time: The Past