Product Description

A novel about a group of travelling players touring England in 1390 in the years following the Black Death. Tired of presenting the usual mystery plays they decide to re-enact a murder that has recently taken place in the town they are visiting. This has unforeseen consequences as they are forced to confront the real story of death.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #120657 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Barry Unsworth jointly won the Booker Prize with SACRED HUNGER in 1992 and has been shortlisted for PASQUALI'S ISLAND and MORALITY PLAY. He is author of many other acclaimed novels. Originally from Durham he now lives in Italy.

Customer Reviews

Brilliantly written, authoritatively researched
With impeccable research, and without a single inappropriate archaism or self-conscious "mediaevalism" Unsworth, with great subtlety, catches the spirit of the times. The images of death and corruption (both of body and soul) mirror the social, moral and spiritual collapse of mid-14th century England: the Black Death has literally halved the population, land has gone out of cultivation, labour is scarce, prices have risen, people are starving. The feudal system is disintegrating, hastened by the social and economic consequences of the Hundred Years' War. The colourful pageantry of the Christmas jousting masks the debasement of the chivalric code into greed, selfishness and brutality; the purity of the monastic ideal has been replaced by materialism and venality. No wonder there is an upsurge of millenarian sects prophesying the Last Days. The transition of drama from religious to secular is already in process, and Martin takes his players in a visionary and shocking leap forward, fusing the old Mystery Plays with the newer Morality Plays, and for the first time using real events and real people in his True Play of Thomas Wells. The process of detection and the build-up of tension are brilliantly handled; the language, techniques and traditions of mediaeval drama fascinatingly described. Though we can see where the story is leading, the denouement has enough surprises to be satisfying. Though you could read it just as a mediaeval whodunit, you would be missing a great deal. Don't be deceived by its 188 pages. This is a deep and many-layered book - increasingly rewarding with every reading.

An insightful and captivating drama
The characters are brilliant and colorful. The time is one of famine and havoc during the 14th century, when a young preist fleeing from his sub-deaconship comes upon a group of travelling players. Nicholas Barber is his name and he tells his story of becoming a player. The death of one player is what prompts Nicholas to join and another could lead to his own. The troupe is on their way to Durham, England where they are promised as a gift from their partron lord. During their travels they come upon a town where they can bury their friend and replenish their purse but when they arrive they learn of another death. The murder of a young boy and the swift conviction of a young women. When the group decides to perform the play of the murder they are in for a wild ride. They do not know the whole truth but are determined to seek it out. "Morality Play" is a captivating drama that relates to many prime topics of the day despite the setting in the middle ages. It is worth the short time it takes to read.

You'll finish it in one sitting
Perfect: plainly written, not too long and absolutely fascinating. Buy and read this book now.