The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone

The Roman spring of Mrs. Stone is a well crafted short book and an easy, engaging read. Williams finely portrays the mindset of an aging actress that would be applicable to any modern celebrity, male or female, today. We see the maniacle focus on career and staying on top, the disdain of other people, the internal fear and desparation that ultimatley leaves Mrs. Stone completely adrift and ruderless. The setting is post-war Rome where all Romans, aristocratic or otherwise, are poor, and all Americans are rich. Williams is a great wordsmith. His language and story flow nicely and his insight is very good. There was a particular loose end that didn't seem to get tied up. Also the brevity didn't allow for other characters to be developed or subplots to be introduced. If you're looking for quality Literature in a small dose this book will do it.

I saw the movie on TV and decided to read the book. The movie was pretty true to the original story in the book. The well known author clearly had a knack for entertaining phraseology. Also, interesting timing of events (which were changed a little in the movie.)

unfortunately tennessee never wrote another novel. this only one is magnificent. mrs stone & her reluctant lover half her age enjoy the city. mrs stone has never been happy before this, but it won,t of course last. I seem to have perhaps eroneously gleaned that the ending was changed at some point to a more happy one I came upon this book whileuncharaistically surfing the tv & it was on tcm. I knew what it was immediately though I'd not seen the movie before. lauren bacall takes the lead here, looking amazingly young, not faded as in the book. mrs stone was a bit past 50, lauren was very young at least as we remember her recently see the movie, read the book..

The story is about a lost older American widow who finds a new life in Rome with a young gigolo.Tennessee Williams is a playwright first. This is a novella. The difference between a play and a novel is that a play is all scenes while a novel is heavily loaded with narration. In Williams' case, he is a lyrical playwright, rich in romantic detail, but he goes overboard with narration in this novella, sacrificing his much needed dialog.Having seen the movie (several times) which was superb and now having read the novella, I flatly say the movie is far better.

The Roman Spring of Mrs StoneTennessee Williams writing fascinated me for the subtlety and elegance in which he talks about delicate subjects without falling into cliches and empty words. He develops the theme in such a way that nothing is wasted and everything counts.

I had just seen the movie and was not impressed. So I decided to get the book and see if that would be any better. It wasn't.

Typical Tennessee Williams. A woman in a predicament, but this time it isn't economics or physical limitations that she grapples with. Not unlike Blanche DuBois, Karen Stone struggles with the loss of youth and sex appeal, but from a position of financial security. I love this story. I own the Vivien Leigh/Warren Beatty movie, and I've seen the Helen Mirren Showtime movie. I think a lot of women Karen's age relate to her situation.

Written in 1950, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone is very much of its time, a period piece. A story in which Mr Williams portrays a woman's terror of aging which she experiences as "the drift". Tennessee Williams was trying out the novel for. There is more telling than showing -- plenty of description, less dialogue. The language is overblown. He is a stronger playwright.

This was the first of my reading any of Tennessee Williams books. I had seen the film and wanted to read the book as a result.His narrative is fascinating as he's draws one through the life and episodes of Mrs Stone's time in Rome. His visual descriptions are epic and I was drawn deeper into her life at times willing her to walk away, to find an alternative. I felt I was at her side, a voyeur in her life incapable of helping her.I wish more people could write like Mr Williams.

A wonderful essay on the human condition, loneliness, need and love. Set in Rome it is a great read but alas ends all too soon.

I didn't bother to return it, not worth wasting my time, but a complete waste of money. The advertisement should say it's a very slim work, worth about £1 at most.

I love Tennessee Williams' style and I find his insight into the motives and minds of the main characters fascinating.

Brilliant