Water by the Spoonful PDF is a play written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes. The book, published by Theatre Communications Group in 2012, explores themes of identity, family heritage, and PTSD. It follows the story of Elliot Ortiz, a young Iraq War veteran struggling to find his place in life after returning from war.
The play has been critically acclaimed, winning the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and garnering several other awards including the OBIE Award for Best New American Play, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Play.
The popular play has been produced across hundreds of stages in various countries, from its off-Broadway debut in 2011 to the last performances in 2020. As of 2021, Water by the Spoonful has sold over 200,000 copies and is available for purchase both as a paperback book and an eBook. The play was also adapted into a 2018 film directed by Edward Norton and starring Oscar Isaac, Leslie Odom Jr., and Olivia Wilde.
Table of Contents
Water by the Spoonful Summary
It follows the story of Elliot Ortiz, a U.S. Marine combat veteran, who is struggling to find his place in the world after returning from Iraq. He has lost everything—his job, his family, and even his sense of identity.
After months of navigating life on the streets and in homeless shelters, Elliot finds solace with a group of strangers he meets online through an Internet chat room called “Water by the Spoonful.” Here he connects with Odessa Ortiz (aka Haikumom), an aunt he never knew existed; Fountainhead, an alcoholic ex-Marine determined to help others turn their lives around; Orangutan, a former drug addict desperate to keep her young son clean; and Chutes & Ladders, a teenager questioning his role in life following a father’s death.
Together, this ragtag group of misfits form a makeshift family as they attempt to find their way back from the edge of despair and search for hope in a seemingly hopeless world.
Details of Water by the Spoonful Book
| Book | Water by the Spoonful |
| Author | Quiara Alegría Hudes |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | 2012 |
| Category | Play |
| Publisher | Theatre Communications Grou |
| Total Pages | 104 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of Water by the Spoonful Book
Water by the Spoonful book has been translated into multiple languages. It has been translated into French, Spanish, and Chinese. The book explores the themes of identity, family bonds, and community in an innovative way.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
|---|---|
| English | Check Price |
| German | Check Price |
About the Author
Quiara Alegría Hudes is an award-winning American playwright, composer, and lyricist. She has written several successful plays including Water by the Spoonful (2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner), Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue (2007 Pulitzer finalist), The Happiest Song Plays Last (2013 Tony Award nominee), and In the Heights (2008 Tony Award winner).
Quiara Alegría Hudes was born in 1976 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents are Puerto Rican immigrants and her mother was a social worker and her father was an artist. Hudes attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia to pursue music, but shifted her focus to writing during college at Yale University where she graduated with honors in 1998.
After graduating from Yale, Hudes wrote several plays that were produced across the United States. In 2010, her musical In the Heights won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Water by the Spoonful was first presented in 2011 at Hartford Stage in Connecticut and then transferred to Off-Broadway in 2012. It received its Broadway production in 2012 and won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Water by the Spoonful PDF Free Download
Click on the download button below to get a pdf file of Water by the Spoonful book.
Similar Books to Water by the Spoonful Book
- The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
- Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
- Native Son by Richard Wright
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the message of Water by the Spoonful?
The main message of Water by the Spoonful is that individuals can transform their lives through meaningful connections and relationships.
What is Odessa addicted to in Water by the Spoonful?
Odessa is addicted to painkillers in Water by the Spoonful.
What is the conflict in Water by the Spoonful?
The main conflict in Water by the Spoonful is between Odessa and her own personal struggles with addiction, as well as the strained relationships she has with her family.
What is the significance of the title Water by the Spoonful?
The title Water by the Spoonful refers to the literal and figurative healing power of water. It also symbolizes Odessa’s journey of recovery and the gradual rebuilding of her life through meaningful connections with others.
What does water symbolize in Water by the Spoonful?
Water in Water by the Spoonful symbolizes healing, connection, and transformation. It also serves as a reminder of the power of hope and second chances.
What is the climax of Water by the Spoonful?
The climax of the play is when Odessa comes to terms with her addiction and decides to seek help.
