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BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
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Enlarge Cover
list price: $17.95
edition:Paperback
category: Drama
published: Jan 1975
ISBN:9780889220973
publisher:
Talonbooks
Description
Jacob's Wake explores the relationship of a father, Winston, with his three sons, Wayne, a corrupt politician, Alonzo, a cynical business man, and Brad, a failed priest. It quickly moves from an apparently realistic family drama to nightmarish, expressionistic drama of 20th century failure as an approaching storm begins to dominate the stage. Once again, ritual lies at the heart of this play; Cook establishes clear patterns of behaviour that are transgressed and broken by the gathered family. The whole play, not merely the last few moments, is a wake, specifically for Jacob, the lost son of the title, but more generally for Newfoundland.
A Maritime family’s tragedy, set in a raging storm. Cast of 2 women and 5 men.
Contributor Notes
Michael Cook
Originally from London, England, Michael Cook emigrated to St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1965 where he began directing plays and teaching at Memorial University. He has written over fifty plays, many of them exploring Newfoundland’s history and culture—the most notable of which, Jacob’s Wake, was published in 1975. After moving to remote outport of Random Island, Cook wrote the dramas collected in Tiln & Other Plays (1976). Michael Cook moved back to St. John’s shortly before his death at the age of 61.
