The Balcony by Jean Genet
"The Balcony" is a play set within a brothel that doubles as a fantasy realm for its clients, who act out their grandiose illusions of power as figures like a bishop, a judge, and a general. As a revolution rages in the streets outside, the establishment's madam and her patrons grapple with the nature of authority and reality, blurring the lines between the authentic and the performative. The play delves into themes of identity, societal roles, and the corrupting influence of power, offering a dark, existential critique of the structures that uphold the facade of societal order and the human desire to escape into illusion.
The 6670th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1957
- Nationality
- French
- Length
- Very Short
- Pages
- 96
- Original Language
- French
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.0)
- Alternate Titles
- None
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 2 lists:
- 95th on The Drama 100 - A Ranking of the Greatest Plays of All Time (Book)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)