4.19
"Arcadia" by Tom Stoppard is a critically acclaimed play that explores the intersection of science, literature, and history. The story takes place in an English country house in the early 19th century and in the present day, and it weaves together the lives of the inhabitants of the house in both time periods. In the past, the young heroine, Thomasina, is a precocious teenager with a keen interest in mathematics and a budding romance with her tutor, Septimus. Thomasina's ideas about chaos theory and the nature of time anticipate modern scientific thought, and her tragic death forms the emotional heart of the play. In the present day, the house is owned by a literary scholar, Bernard, who is researching the history of the house and its inhabitants. He becomes embroiled in a debate with another scholar, Hannah, about the true authorship of a manuscript that may have been written by Thomasina. Stoppard's writing is witty and erudite, and the play is packed with references to literature, mathematics, and philosophy. The characters are richly drawn, and the plot is engaging and thought-provoking. The play raises questions about the nature of time, the role of chance in human affairs, and the relationship between art and science. "Arcadia" has been widely praised for its intelligence, humor, and emotional depth. It is a complex and challenging work that rewards repeated readings and viewings. The play has been performed in theaters around the world and has been adapted for radio, television, and film. It is a modern classic that is sure to continue to captivate audiences for years to come...
Mikhail Bulgakov
The Master and Margarita
This Russian novel, with its blend of metaphysical speculation, historical satire, and literary allusion, shares Stoppard's playful and erudite sensibility.
Learn MoreSusanna Clarke
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Like 'Arcadia', this novel combines elements of history, fantasy, and literary pastiche, as it tells the story of two magicians who bring magic back to England during the Napoleonic Wars.
Learn MoreEleanor Catton
The Luminaries
Fans of 'Arcadia' will appreciate the intricate plotting and historical detail of this Man Booker Prize-winning novel, which tells the story of a group of 19th-century gold miners in New Zealand.
Learn MorePaul Beatty
The Sellout
This satirical novel, which won the Man Booker Prize in 2016, shares Stoppard's playful and subversive sensibility, as it explores issues of race, identity, and power in contemporary America.
Learn MoreIan McEwan
Atonement
Fans of 'Arcadia' will appreciate the novel's exploration of the relationship between truth, memory, and storytelling, as well as its intricate structure and lush prose.
Learn MoreJohn Fowles
The French Lieutenant's Woman
Like 'Arcadia', this novel combines elements of romance, history, and philosophy, as it tells the story of a Victorian woman who rejects societal norms and the man who becomes infatuated with her.
Learn MoreDonna Tartt
The Secret History
Fans of 'Arcadia' will appreciate the intellectual rigor and atmospheric prose of this novel, which tells the story of a group of classics students who become embroiled in a murder conspiracy.
Learn MoreAudrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler's Wife
Like 'Arcadia', this novel explores the intricacies of time and human connection, weaving together different timelines in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.
Learn MoreDavid Mitchell
Cloud Atlas
Fans of 'Arcadia' will appreciate the ambitious structure and interconnected stories of this novel, which spans different time periods and genres while exploring themes of fate, identity, and the human condition.
Learn MoreA.S. Byatt
Possession
This Booker Prize-winning novel shares Stoppard's love of language, literature, and hidden connections, as it tells the story of two scholars who uncover a secret love affair between two Victorian poets.
Learn More