The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog - Hardcover

by Eugene O'Neill (Author)

A Touching Tribute to a Beloved Pet from America's Foremost Playwright

Renowned playwright Eugene O'Neill composed this work in 1940 to comfort his wife about the death of their Dalmatian, Blemie. Better known for his despairing and pessimistic dramas, O'Neill's touching piece, written in the voice of the dying pet, is somehow uplifting and joyous in its touching memory of a life shared between owner and animal. It is sure to comfort anyone experiencing the loss of a beloved, furry member of the family.

This short work is part of Applewood's American Roots series, tactile mementos of American passions by some of America's most famous writers.

Author Biography

Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953) was an American playwright and the only American dramatist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in New York City to actor James O'Neill, he spent his early years touring with his father's theater company, an experience that deeply influenced his work. O'Neill's tumultuous life--marked by tuberculosis, alcoholism, and family tragedy--fueled his emotionally raw, psychologically complex plays. He revolutionized American theater by introducing realism and naturalism to the stage, exploring themes of disillusionment, family dysfunction, and the human condition with unprecedented depth. His masterworks include Long Day's Journey Into Night, The Iceman Cometh, Mourning Becomes Electra, and A Moon for the Misbegotten. O'Neill won four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama and received the Nobel Prize in 1936.