48 pages • 1 hour read
Tennessee WilliamsSuddenly, Last Summer
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1958A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Tennessee Williams's one-act play Suddenly Last Summer, wealthy Violet Venable seeks Dr. Cukrowicz's help to lobotomize her niece Catharine, who was with her son Sebastian when he died abroad under mysterious circumstances. Violet wants to silence Catharine, who is spreading a scandalous account of Sebastian's death, to protect his reputation. Suddenly Last Summer contains murder, mutilation, cannibalism, and references to mental health treatment methods.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Suddenly, Last Summer by Tennessee Williams is a gripping play that delves into themes of mental illness, family secrets, and sexuality. Critics praise Williams' powerful dialogue and the intense psychological depth of the characters. However, some feel that the narrative can be overly melodramatic and note the potentially disturbing themes. Ultimately, it's a compelling but challenging read.
Who Should Read Suddenly, Last Summer?
Readers who relish intense psychological drama and gothic themes will enjoy Suddenly, Last Summer by Tennessee Williams. Fans of works like A Streetcar Named Desire and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? will appreciate its exploration of mental illness, family secrets, and tragic human flaws.