The Diviners
by Jim Leonard, Jim Leonard Jr

Name: The Diviners
Brand: Jim Leonard
SKU: 9780573608377
Rating: 3.98 (346 reviews)

The Diviners Book Cover — The Diviners Cover

Highlights

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Large Cast

Female

Male

1930sUnit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod CostumesAmerican

What readers are saying

Readers generally find 'The Diviners' to be a powerful theatrical experience that combines humor with deep emotional resonance. Many praise the strong character portrayals and writing, noting how the play delves into themes of loss and community. While most reviews are highly positive, some feel the narrative can feel meandering at times.

Powerful and moving performancesStrong character writingHumor mixed with tragedyNarrative feels meandering at times

Synopsis

Drama / 6m, 5f / Unit set w. platforms Winner of the American College Theatre Festival, this marvelously theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

When the boy was young he almost drowned.

This trauma and the loss of his mother in the same accident has left him deathly afraid of water.

The preacher, set on breaking away from a long line of Kentucky family preachers, is determined not to do what h

Press Reviews

"Compelling... The Diviners, which would be meritorious from anyone, is astounding from so young a writer... renders the humor and horror of the hinterlands with staggering accuracy."
— New York Magazine

"The playwright's warmth, humor and love for humanity permeate the drama, and make it both touching and entertaining."
— Variety

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
BUDDY LAYMAN An idiot-boy	—	—	An idiot-boy
JENNIE MAE LAYMAN His sister	female	—	His sister
FERRIS LAYMAN Their father, a mechanic	male	—	Their father, a mechanic
C.C. SHOWERS A backsliding preacher	—	—	A backsliding preacher
NORMA HENSHAW Owner of the Hoosier Dry-Goods, a true believer	—	—	Owner of the Hoosier Dry-Goods, a true believer
DARLENE HENSHAW Her niece	—	—	Her niece
GOLDIE SHORT Owner of the Dine-Away-Cafe	—	—	Owner of the Dine-Away-Cafe
BASIL BENNETT A farmer, the local doctor of sorts	—	—	A farmer, the local doctor of sorts
LUELLA BENNET His wife, a doubter	female	—	His wife, a doubter
MELVIN WILDER A farmhand	—	—	A farmhand
DEWEY MAPLES A young farmhand	—	—	A young farmhand