I own a hardback collector's edition of Williams' collected plays. I happened upon a this newer edition in a thrift store, saw that it was edited by John Patrick Shanley and pondered buying it, then put it back on the shelf. Seconds later, I picked up a copy of Sula by Toni Morrison. The quote on the flyleaf is from The Rose Tatoo. I bought them both.
This is typical Tennessee stuff, with an Italian twist. Strong overbearing female lead, in a bit of an emotional shambles, bearing her soul to anyone who happens by. The first scene opens with children playing in the front yard, while Serafina explains the magnificence of the love she shares with her husband (including a few otherworldly details of the conception of their daughter, Rosa). The scene closes with the announcement of the husbands' accidental death. While Serafina withdraws from the world and any emotion other than grief, she expects the same of her daughter. Enter hypocracy and a charming stranger driving a fruit truck. Like I said, quintessential Williams.
The whole time I was reading, Serafina reminded me of an amalgamation of characters. As I type, I realize that I heard the same voice that I hear when I read Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs or any Tomie dePaola book. That makes me laugh.
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