Understanding David Mamet

Book excerpt: This work analyzes the broad range of David Mamet's plays and places them in the context of his literary career as a writer of fiction and nonfiction prose as well as drama. He is known for depicting men in gritty, competitive work environments and his use of vernacular dialogue (known in the theater as "Mametspeak"). The author centers her discussion around Mamet's plays - Glengarry Glen Ross, Oleanna, American Buffalo, Speed-the-Plow, The Cryptogram, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Edmond, The Woods, Lakeboat, Boston Marriage, and The Duck Variations - as well as his three novels - The Village, Old Religion and Wilson. The work also includes a section on his multiple essays including "The Rake" which reflects his ideas about theater, film, politics, religion, and masculinity.