The Browning Version
The Browning Version
Book Brief
128
Play • Fiction
England • 1940s
1948
Adult
15-18 years
Super Short Summary
The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan unfolds in the home of Andrew Crocker-Harris, a Classics teacher at a boys' school, revealing his strained relationships with his wife Millie and his student John Taplow, who, despite some difficulties, aspires to understand him. As various characters interact, Andrew confronts his professional and personal failures, leading to significant interpersonal revelations.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
410 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Terence Rattigan's The Browning Version is widely praised for its subtle yet powerful emotional depth and character development. Critics commend the play's incisive portrayal of human vulnerability. However, some find the pacing slow and the dialogue overly formal. Overall, it remains a poignant character study that's both touching and thought-provoking.
Who Should Read The Browning Version?
Readers who appreciate deeply human stories about personal redemption, emotional struggle, and intricate character dynamics will find The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan compelling. Fans of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen will particularly enjoy this poignant, character-driven drama.
410 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Terence Rattigan wrote The Browning Version in 1948, and the play is often paired with another short play of his called Harlequinade for a double-bill presentation.
The title The Browning Version refers to the translation of Agamemnon by Robert Browning, highlighting themes of academia and personal struggle within the play.
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The Browning Version received critical acclaim for its subtle exploration of human emotion and the English education system, making it a staple in British theater.
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128
Play • Fiction
England • 1940s
1948
Adult
15-18 years
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