A Soldier's Play

by Charles Fuller

Book Overview

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 1982

A black sergeant cries out in the night, "They still hate you," then is shot twice and falls dead.

Set in 1944 at Fort Neal, a segregated army camp in Louisiana, Charles Fuller's forceful drama--which has been regularly seen in both its original stage and its later screen version starring Denzel Washington--tracks the investigation of this murder. But A Soldier's Play is more...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374521484
• ISBN13: 9780374521486
• Release Date: September 1982
• Publisher: Hill & Wang
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Two thumbs up for A Soldiers Play by Devin Wright

A Soldiers Play is one of the best war stories that i have ever read in my life. If you are looking for a mystery book with twists and turn, this is the book you have been looking for.This book reaches many points that you may not expect. A Soldiers Play has a great deal of Loyalty, Betrayal, and Racism.By the time you finish reading the book,you will detect those plus more.What really made the book good for me was that i had the oppurtunity to act out one of the roles in my class room. I played one of the main roles "Vernon C. Waters". When you act it out, it gives you the chance to know the character better

The Soldier's Play

This play was a good one, very intresting. This play written by Charles Fuller. There was a lot of drama, the characters would act like in real life. I liked the topics that were being used for example racism, betrayal and friendship. I liked this play because their was a lot of action the racism exicted between the same race. Eventhough their were events I didn't like the play was good. Sargeant Water did a good job on doing his role. This play is about a Sargeant that treated his same race with no respect and in which at the their was a murdured and someone put to jail. This play was so good that you would want more.

A Masterpiece

This play-novel, known as The Slodier's Play by Charles Fuller really takes you in. Displaying a backround at the tme of World War II, leaving you to solve a murder mystery. The Soldier's Play surely was'nt awarded the best for nothing. I recomend this book to booklovers everywhere and those in pursuit of acting.

short but...

This book was an adventurous book to read. This book touches on the themes of racism, betrayal, loyalty and mystery. It about the mysterious killing of tech segrant C. Waters. In the story there are many suspects that can lead to solving the murder. Captain Davenport is sent to investigate and being that he is "black", he faces many obtacles and turns, but is trionfit later in the process of the case.

A powerful WW2 drama

"A Soldier's Play," by Charles Fuller, was presented by the Negro Ensemble Company in New York City in 1981, and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. A film version, retitled "A Soldier's Story," was directed by Norman Jewison. This play takes place in 1944 (during World War II) at Fort Neal, Louisiana. Fuller takes us into an all-Black unit, commanded by a white officer, in the segregated army.The play begins with the murder of one of its principal characters: Tech/Sergeant Vernon Waters, by an unknown killer. Waters' story is recreated in flashbacks; the play is essentially the story behind the investigation into the crime. The situation on the base, which is already hot with racial tension, intensifies when an African-American officer is assigned to the case.Fuller has taken an explosive combination of elements and from them fashioned a truly gripping piece of dramatic art. Suspense, vivid dialogue, memorable characters, and penetrating insights all combine to make this a truly remarkable play. This is also one of those excellent plays which also succeeds as a text for readers.This is a compelling look at the tensions and controversies surrounding the segregated army. Fuller is particularly effective at demonstrating the corrosive effects of racism on both Blacks and whites. Waters is one of the most powerfully tragic figures in all of American drama. I highly recommend "A Soldier's Play"; it is one of the great literary works about military life.