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Our Town: A Play in Three Acts Paperback – July 28, 2020

by Thornton Wilder (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,408 ratings
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“[Our Town] leaves us with a sense of blessing, and the unspoken but palpable command to achieve gratitude in what remains of our days on earth.” — The New Yorker

Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of life in the mythical village of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire—an allegorical representation of all life—is an American classic. It is the simple story of a love affair that asks timeless questions about the meaning of love, life, and death.

Our Town explores the relationship between two young neighbors, George Gibbs and Emily Webb, whose childhood friendship blossoms into romance, and then culminates in marriage. When Emily loses her life during childbirth, the circle of life portrayed in each of the three acts—childhood, adulthood, and death—is fully realized.

Widely considered one of the greatest American plays of all time, Our Town debuted on Broadway in 1938 and continues to be performed daily on stages around the world. This special edition includes an afterword by Wilder's nephew, Tappan Wilder, with illuminating documentary material about the playwright and his most famous drama.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper Perennial Modern Classics
  4. Publication date
    July 28, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0063003996
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0063003996
  8. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?
    Highlighted by 424 Kindle readers
  2. You’ve got to love life to have life, and you’ve got to have life to love life. . . . It’s what they call a vicious circle.
    Highlighted by 305 Kindle readers
  3. Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover’s Corners . . . Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking . . . and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths . . . and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you.
    Highlighted by 245 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

Our Town The Skin of Our Teeth The Matchmaker Three Plays
Our Town The Skin of Our Teeth The Matchmaker Three Plays
Customer Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
1,408
4.4 out of 5 stars
82
4.1 out of 5 stars
147
4.5 out of 5 stars
149
Price $14.93 $13.54 $12.79 $15.19
The Plays of Thornton Wilder
The Bridge of San Luis Rey The Cabala and the Woman of Andros Heaven’s My Destination The Ides of March The Eighth Day Theophilus North
The Bridge of San Luis Rey The Cabala and the Woman of Andros Heaven’s My Destination The Ides of March The Eighth Day Theophilus North
See Details
Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
1,566
4.2 out of 5 stars
31
4.0 out of 5 stars
39
4.3 out of 5 stars
281
4.1 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Price $10.39 $10.46 $6.18 $14.99 $17.59 $15.51
The Novels of Thornton Wilder

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Taking as his material three periods in the history of a placid New Hampshire town, Mr. Wilder has transmuted the simple events of human life into universal reverie. He has given familiar facts a deeply moving, philosophical perspective....Our Town is one of the finest achievements of the current stage.” — Brooks Atkinson

“Its astringent distillation of life and death in the fictional early-20th-century town of Grover’s Corners, N.H., is desperately needed. . . so Americans can remember who we are. . . . The true American faith endures in 'Our Town'.” — Frank Rich, New York Times

“Wilder’s unfashionable insistence on embracing wonders as well as woe is both gallant and exhilarating. . . .[Our Town] leaves us with a sense of blessing, and the unspoken but palpable command to achieve gratitude in what remains of our days on earth” — The New Yorker

"Our Town demonstrates in the most gentle way, the most celebrational way, how difficult it is to be a human being." — Will Eno, American playwright

"Our Town is probably the finest play ever written by an American." — Edward Albee

"In Our Town, [Wilder] cautions us to recognize that life is both precious and ordinary, and that these two fundamental truths are intimately connected." — New York Times

About the Author

Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) was an accomplished novelist and playwright whose works, exploring the connection between the commonplace and cosmic dimensions of human experience, continue to be read and produced around the world. His Bridge of San Luis Rey, one of seven novels, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928, as did two of his four full-length dramas, Our Town (1938) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1943). Wilder's The Matchmaker was adapted as the musical Hello, Dolly! He also enjoyed enormous success with many other forms of the written and spoken word, among them teaching, acting, the opera, and films. (His screenplay for Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt [1943] remains a classic psycho-thriller to this day.) Wilder's many honors include the Gold Medal for Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Book Committee's Medal for Literature.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reissue edition (July 28, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063003996
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063003996
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,408 ratings

About the author

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Thornton Wilder

Thornton Wilder

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Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) is an accomplished novelist and playwright whose works, exploring the connection between the commonplace and cosmic dimensions of human experience, continue to be read and produced around the world. His Bridge of San Luis Rey, one of seven novels, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928, as did two of his four full-length dramas, Our Town (1938) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1943). Wilder's Matchmaker was adapted as the musical Hello, Dolly! He also enjoyed enormous success with many other forms of the written and spoken word, among them teaching, acting, opera, and film. His screenplay for Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt (1943) remains a classic psychological thriller to this day. Wilder's many honors include the Gold Medal for Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Book Committee's Medal for Literature.

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Top reviews from the United States

Michael L. Sweet
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
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Very enjoyable play. Lots of other stuff going on with this story. Not as good as Death of a Salesman but still worth the time. Two different plays but both have a humanistic, existentialist viewpoint.
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Mike Powers
5.0 out of 5 stars Thornton Wilder's "Our Town:" a wonderful portrayal of small-town American life at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
“Our Town” is Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning three-act play that depicts life in a fictional New England town at the beginning of the twentieth century. Set in Grover’s Corner, New Hampshire, the play follows the daily lives of two prominent middle-class families: the Gibbses and Webbs, who are next-door neighbors.

Almost a half-century ago, I played the part of Howie Newsome, one of the play’s minor characters, in a high school production of “Our Town.” Nearly five decades later, I had the privilege of playing the Stage Manager in a local community theater production. At that time, I decided to purchase a Kindle edition of the play instead of the more traditional paperback version.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how convenient and useful my Kindle edition of “Our Town” turned out to be. It proved itself excellent, not only for sheer reading enjoyment, but also for its value as a tool for memorizing lines. The print is large and easy to read, and the format of each page makes it easy for users to quickly locate the lines they need to study and commit to memory.

It’s a daunting task trying to describe my deep appreciation for “Our Town,” both as a work of literature and as a dramatic representation of small-town American life at the dawn of the twentieth century. Wilder’s script speaks to what he calls "the eternal in us" with words that I find both a challenge and a comfort. On one level, “Our Town” is simple, folksy, and down-to-earth, but at its core, it’s deeply philosophical.

One reason why “Our Town” resonates with me is the way Thornton Wilder constantly encourages audiences to stretch their imaginations to the fullest. He does this by employing highly innovative dramatic devices – like the lack of scenery and props, and the Stage Manager, who breaks the “fourth wall” and speaks directly to the audience, thereby serving as narrator, sage, philosopher, and oracle.

Our Town comes as close to being a "perfect" play as I’ve ever read. In his Foreword to the “Perennial Classics” Kindle edition, playwright Donald Margulies calls "Our Town" "perhaps THE American play.” I heartily agree with his assessment. Wilder’s wonderful portrayal of small town life is simply masterful, and his hopeful message – that “someday, the eternal in us will come out – clear." – is timeless. Most highly recommended.
15 people found this helpful
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4.0 out of 5 stars Fine
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023
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This play is a quick read itself, but this version is made longer but a long forward and then comments from other sources at the end. I’m just going to address the play in this review. The play is broken into 3 parts, and each part has strengths and weaknesses. It is quintessential Americana and worth a read, but could be analyzed for days. Overall, it’s fine.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Please re-read Our Town
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
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I'm so glad i decided to read Our Town! For one thing, i probably never finished the play in high school. And even though i was backstage when we performed it i really never paid attention.
How, with many years and happy times and sad times behind me and still with me the play just busts into my very being.
Yes, we are blind.... Yes, we don't understand. This little play can change your prospective in a hundred ways.
I'll probably read it again, and again.
11 people found this helpful
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J. McNabb
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Play for Today
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023
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My paperback copy of "Our Time" that I had when I was in the play in high school is nearly in tatters. So, wanting to reread it, I needed a new copy. Furthermore, I'd like to see the play again! I think that its themes, even though it is set in a small New England town, are worth a look again in the 21st century.
3 people found this helpful
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KatieJon
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought used, came in perfect condition.
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
I first read this book in high school, and I’ve maybe read it twice since then. I just reread it, at 42. Even as a high schooler I could feel the weight of this story (play). But, like with most things, the meaning and significance of Our Town lands differently. The story is very human - as in years can pass and it can feel like nothing ever happens of massive significance. Most of us will never win a Nobel Peace Prize (whatever its worth these days), we won’t cure cancer or invent a life-saving treatment, we will never write a masterpiece of literature that will be read and discussed long past our death (as Thornton Wilder has). Yet our lives mean something, deeply. This is somehow what Our Town is able to line up and deliver - a plain, slow and simple life is everything.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Book was in good condition, the story was meh.
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
The book was perfectly fine in terms of its looks. It came in great condition. The story itself is a bit boring though. I had to buy it for an acting class. The impact and meaning behind the final scene with Emily is so powerful. But the rest of it fell flat for me. I didn't gain enough insight into the characters to really care about them, I didn't care about anything that was happening, there was no real character or interesting plot development and all the action was very mundane and quick. I personally wouldn't suggest buying the book if you don't have to. Just find a excerpt of the final scene and read that. Or watch it instead of reading it, it comes a bit more to life when there is actual acting involved instead of the story on its own. I really don't relate to all the hype about this play.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Rain
5.0 out of 5 stars The most important life lesson - A must read
Reviewed in Belgium on April 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
Thornton Wilder is the diametric opposite of Portuguese author Fernando Pessoa. Pessoa is depressing beyond belief finding no joy whatsoever or purpose in life. Thornton, in this incredible play, shows us how important it is to savour every wonderful magical moment of life. It will be staged at the end of 2024 in New York with Jim Parsons and Katie Holmes among other great actors. Thornton was one of the greatest minds and playwrights of our time.
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Enzo
5.0 out of 5 stars Piccola Città
Reviewed in Italy on August 30, 2022
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E' un capolavoro americano. La storia, esilissima riesce ad essere commovente e a fare una grande impressione
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Patricia O. Ferreira
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo
Reviewed in Brazil on December 31, 2018
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Esse livro é ótimo! realmente surpreendente, pelo menos para mim que não conhecia Thornton Wilder. Três peças maravilhosas.
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Carmen Moncada
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift
Reviewed in Germany on June 4, 2020
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I bought this book as a gift for a friend who enjoys reading this author and he completely loved it.
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Client régulier
5.0 out of 5 stars Chef d oeuvre littérature moderne US
Reviewed in France on October 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Chef d oeuvre de la litterature moderne Americaine sur le American Dream dans les petites villrs en 1903. Puece en 3 actes simple à lire avant de voir la pièce de théatre. Pratique pour préparer le English International Baccalureate IB ou American AP ou Grade 12.
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