{"product_id":"m-butterfly-with-an-afterword-by-the-playwright-by-david-henry-hwang-rare-books","title":"M. Butterfly: With an Afterword by the Playwright by David Henry Hwang [rare books]","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"955\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"17\"\u003eBook Summary:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"17\" data-end=\"20\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"20\" data-end=\"73\"\u003e“M. Butterfly: With an Afterword by the Playwright”\u003c\/em\u003e by David Henry Hwang is a critically acclaimed play that reimagines Puccini’s opera \u003cem data-start=\"158\" data-end=\"176\"\u003eMadama Butterfly\u003c\/em\u003e and is inspired by a real-life international scandal. The play tells the story of René Gallimard, a French diplomat stationed in China, who falls into a decades-long affair with Song Liling, a Peking opera singer whom he believes to be a woman. Unbeknownst to him, Song is a man and also a spy for the Chinese government. Through this shocking revelation, Hwang explores themes of cultural stereotypes, East-West relations, gender identity, power, and self-deception. The play not only critiques Western fantasies of the submissive “Oriental woman” but also examines how illusions—both personal and political—shape human relationships. The edition with the afterword includes the playwright’s reflections on the real case and the broader cultural questions raised by the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"957\" data-end=\"1764\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"957\" data-end=\"978\"\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"978\" data-end=\"981\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Henry Hwang \u003c\/strong\u003e(b. 1957) is an American playwright, screenwriter, and librettist, widely recognized as one of the most prominent Asian American voices in contemporary theater. He is best known for \u003cem data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1195\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eM. Butterfly\u003c\/em\u003e, which won the 1988 Tony Award for Best Play and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Much of Hwang’s work focuses on themes of cultural identity, race, assimilation, and the tensions between East and West. Beyond theater, he has written for opera, film, and television, collaborating with composers like Philip Glass and Elton John. A leading figure in American drama, Hwang has also taught creative writing and served as an advocate for Asian American representation in the arts. His innovative storytelling has made him a transformative force in modern theater.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clapping Pages","offers":[{"title":"Used","offer_id":45203811598522,"sku":"35W29Y5FL-Used","price":29.0,"currency_code":"AED","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/5576\/0826\/files\/mm_17d4775b-7e28-46e8-ae77-b50551b73db1.jpg?v=1759474283","url":"https:\/\/clappingpages.com\/products\/m-butterfly-with-an-afterword-by-the-playwright-by-david-henry-hwang-rare-books","provider":"Clapping Pages","version":"1.0","type":"link"}