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Eugene Ionesco
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Rhinoceros and Other Plays (Evergreen Original, E-259) Kindle Edition

by Eugene Ionesco (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 138 ratings
“With outrageous comedy” this classic of Absurdist drama “attacks the most serious subjects: blind conformity and totalitarianism, despair and death” (The New York Times).

In Rhinoceros, as in his other plays, Eugene Ionesco startles audiences with a world that invariably erupts in explosive laughter and nightmare anxiety. A rhinoceros suddenly appears in a small town, tramping through its peaceful streets. Soon there are two, then three, until the “movement” is universal. This is not an invasion of wild animals, but a transformation of average citizens into beasts, as they learn to move with the times. As the curtain comes down, only one desperate man remains.

Rhinoceros is a commentary on the absurdity of the human condition made tolerable only by self-delusion. It shows us the struggle of the individual to maintain integrity and identity in a world where all others have succumbed to the “beauty” of brute force and mindlessness.
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  1. Print length
    162 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grove Press
  4. Publication date
    March 31, 2015
  5. File size
    3.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00VKI3UJO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grove Press (March 31, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 31, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 138 ratings

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Eugene Ionesco

Eugene Ionesco

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
138 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and thoroughly enjoy revisiting Rhinoceros. They appreciate the message, with one customer noting its serious lessons.

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4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it's wonderful to read again.

"...It was great to read it again. It has a message that is just as relevant today." Read more

"...and a result of Ionesco's experiences with fascism, yet it is extremely readable, if one remembers not to take it to seriously...." Read more

"Ionesco has written wonderful plays showing the idiocy of modern life and its materialistic bent...." Read more

"Just the right play, with just the right message, for these disquieting times." Read more

3 customers mention "Book content"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's content, with one mentioning they thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Rhinoceros.

"...And yes, this book does contain plenty of rhinoceros, in a small town, stampeding out of control. Cue the ridiculous: enjoy!" Read more

"Not having read Ionesco in many years, I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Rhinoceros...." Read more

"Love this. If you like absurdist theater, this is for you" Read more

3 customers mention "Message"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the message of the book, finding it profound and serious, with one customer noting it is perfect for the very sad.

"...That being said, the lessons it offers are serious, concerning groupthink, the absence of rational thought in humanity, and the slippery slope to an..." Read more

"...He doesn't pull punches. Everyone should read him. He's profound. And yes he does use humor to make his points." Read more

"Just the right play, with just the right message, for these disquieting times." Read more

If you’re feeling out of place...
4 out of 5 stars
If you’re feeling out of place...
The book is great! But it came ripped due to poor packing. Rhinoceros is relevant in an age of institutionally and politically driven fears and hatred. Touches on many points of absurdity, dangers in group mentality, and blind fear of loneliness, all wrapped in humor.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Dirk J. Schroeter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Precious
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    In high school drama class, a friend and I performed The Rhinoceros. It was great to read it again. It has a message that is just as relevant today.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Claire
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    My first introduction to Eugène Ionesco's works. This was a great collection of works.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • SR
    4.0 out of 5 stars "The Living are Getting Rarer"
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    "There are more dead people than living. And their numbers are increasing. The living are getting rarer."-Ionesco.

    Ionesco wrote this play in his traditional style, that is, using humor and the idea of the ridiculous to develop satire. Rhinoceros is a commentary on Nazism and a result of Ionesco's experiences with fascism, yet it is extremely readable, if one remembers not to take it to seriously. That being said, the lessons it offers are serious, concerning groupthink, the absence of rational thought in humanity, and the slippery slope to an unconventional, self-destructive conclusion. And yes, this book does contain plenty of rhinoceros, in a small town, stampeding out of control. Cue the ridiculous: enjoy!
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Jeanne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enduring writer
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Ionesco has written wonderful plays showing the idiocy of modern life and its materialistic bent. It is perfect for the very sad and realistic times we live in; his absurdity has become our reality. He, with great artistry, has held up the mirror to a corrupt society on the political, social, psychological and religious levels. He doesn't pull punches. Everyone should read him. He's profound. And yes he does use humor to make his points.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Tessleigh
    3.0 out of 5 stars Shipping took longer than expected
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The book was in a good condition when it arrived. It had wear and tear with a few pen marks in it, however this is to be expected from a used book. The main issue I had with this book was that it took much longer than I had anticipated for it to be shipped. I do live overseas and so I know that shipping takes a little longer than usual, however this took a little too long for my comfort. I enjoy the book, just not the company that shipped it.
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  • Alice Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars We can sometimes best recognize our plight through metaphor
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    We can sometimes best recognize our plight through metaphor. Rhinoceros is about the German people in the 30s who actually were good people until they became Nazis by actions ordered by Hitler. These plays are a reflection of that time And for anyone who wants to recognize where we are in the history of our nation, this is an excellent display of how a great country was caught unawares.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • petronmb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Not having read Ionesco in many years, I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Rhinoceros. This play is funny and real while at the same time preposterous, the essence of excellent satirical work.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Steven B. Bloomfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Just the right play, with just the right message, for these disquieting times.
    Helpful
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