Letters From Max

Letters from Max is a play based on a book by Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvo, exploring the relationship between Sarah and Max as Max faces terminal illness and tests poetry's capacity to express the ineffable.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 72 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2024
Publisher: Samuel French Ltd

Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvo's 2018 epistolary book, "Letters from Max: A Poet, a Teacher, a Friendship," is a poignant and intimate play that delves into the relationship between Sarah and her former student, Max. Through a series of letters and poems, the two friends explore the complexities of their friendship and confront the challenges of Max's terminal illness. The play is characterized by humor, lyricism, and candor, as Max grapples with the ineffable aspects of his life and seeks to find solace in poetry.

The play begins with Sarah receiving a letter from Max, in which he shares his thoughts and feelings about their time together. Max's letters are filled with humor, as he recounts their shared experiences and pokes fun at himself. He also expresses his gratitude for Sarah's guidance and support, and his admiration for her as a poet and a teacher.

Sarah's responses to Max's letters are equally poignant. She shares her own experiences and struggles, and offers words of encouragement and support. She also reflects on the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and the emotions that we cannot always put into words.

As Max's illness progresses, the play becomes more intense. Max begins to lose his ability to speak and write, and he relies on Sarah to communicate with him. Sarah is determined to help Max find a way to express himself, and she encourages him to write poetry.

Max's poetry is raw and emotional, and it reflects the depth of his feelings. He writes about his love for Sarah, his fear of death, and his desire to leave a legacy. Sarah is moved by Max's poetry, and she encourages him to share it with others.

The play also explores the relationship between poetry and illness. Max's illness has made him more aware of the fragility of life and the importance of living in the present moment. Sarah's poetry has helped him to find meaning and purpose in his life, and she encourages him to continue writing.

However, the play also highlights the challenges of being a poet. Max's poetry is often criticized by others, and he struggles to find a place in the literary world. Sarah encourages him to keep writing, and to not let the criticism discourage him.

In the end, the play explores the power of friendship and the importance of poetry in our lives. Sarah and Max's relationship is a testament to the strength of human connection, and the power of words to heal and inspire.

Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvo's 2018 epistolary book, "Letters from Max: A Poet, a Teacher, a Friendship," is a poignant and intimate play that explores the relationship between Sarah and her former student, Max. Through a series of letters and poems, the two friends explore the complexities of their friendship and confront the challenges of Max's terminal illness. The play is characterized by humor, lyricism, and candor, as Max grapples with the ineffable aspects of his life and seeks to find solace in poetry.

The play begins with Sarah receiving a letter from Max, in which he shares his thoughts and feelings about their time together. Max's letters are filled with humor, as he recounts their shared experiences and pokes fun at himself. He also expresses his gratitude for Sarah's guidance and support, and his admiration for her as a poet and a teacher.

Sarah's responses to Max's letters are equally poignant. She shares her own experiences and struggles, and offers words of encouragement and support. She also reflects on the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and the emotions that we cannot always put into words.

As Max's illness progresses, the play becomes more intense. Max begins to lose his ability to speak and write, and he relies on Sarah to communicate with him. Sarah is determined to help Max find a way to express himself, and she encourages him to write poetry.

Max's poetry is raw and emotional, and it reflects the depth of his feelings. He writes about his love for Sarah, his fear of death, and his desire to leave a legacy. Sarah is moved by Max's poetry, and she encourages him to share it with others.

The play also explores the relationship between poetry and illness. Max's illness has made him more aware of the fragility of life and the importance of living in the present moment. Sarah's poetry has helped him to find meaning and purpose in his life, and she encourages him to continue writing.

However, the play also highlights the challenges of being a poet. Max's poetry is often criticized by others, and he struggles to find a place in the literary world. Sarah encourages him to keep writing, and to not let the criticism discourage him.

In the end, the play explores the power of friendship and the importance of poetry in our lives. Sarah and Max's relationship is a testament to the strength of human connection, and the power of words to heal and inspire.

ISBN-13: 9780573710582