True Story: A Trilogy

True Story: A Trilogy is a collection of three documentary plays by Dan OBrien that explore trauma, both political and personal. The plays include "The Body of an American," "The House in Scarsdale: A Memoir for the Stage," and "New Life," which examine the ethical and psychological haunting of journalist Paul Watson, the source of OBrien's childhood unhappiness, and the paradox of war as entertainment. The trilogy stands as a testament to the value of witnessing, honoring, and transcending the struggles of living.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Dalkey Archive Press

True Story: A Trilogy is a collection of three powerful documentary plays written by the acclaimed playwright and poet Dan OBrien. These plays delve into the realm of trauma, encompassing both political and personal dimensions. The first play, The Body of an American, takes us back to a pivotal moment in history when a single striking photograph of a US Army Ranger being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu altered the course of global events. Spanning from Rwanda to Afghanistan to the Canadian Arctic, OBrien skillfully dramatizes the ethical and psychological haunting of journalist Paul Watson. In The House in Scarsdale: A Memoir for the Stage, the playwright employs journalistic principles to investigate the source of his childhood unhappiness. As he delves deeper into his family's history, he uncovers the mysterious circumstances surrounding their estrangement, shaking his sense of self with rumors regarding his true parentage. The trilogy concludes with New Life, a tragicomedy that brings together Paul Watson in Syria and the playwright in treatment for cancer. Together, they embark on a mission to sell a TV series about journalists in war. New Life delves into the paradox of war as entertainment while also daring to dream of healing after catastrophe. These three gritty yet poetic plays serve as a testament to the immense value of witnessing, honoring, and potentially transcending the challenges of living.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781628975130