Ernest Thompson's - On Golden Pond

Genre – Fiction
Rating - 4.5 /5

‘Cute’ was what I said when I finished reading the last line of this play. The movie ‘On Golden Pond’ was long time back recommended to me (it is in my to-watch list). During the last book sale in the local library, I had gladly picked this book in a dash. Only after I pulled it out for reading, I realized that it is not the usual story book. It is a play!

It is about Norman and Ethel’s (an elderly couple in late seventies) one summer vacation which they spent at a place called Golden Pond in Maine and hence the name – On Golden Pond. Staying in their lake house on the Golden pond has been Norman and Ethel’s summer ritual since last 48 years. This time, when Norman is turning 80, their daughter, Chelsea (now 42 yrs old), wants to join them too. Norman wanted her to be a boy and all his life, they both have had a tense relationship. She comes with her new boy friend (Bill) and Bill’s 13 yr old son Billy. From the very first meet, Norman finds Billy very interesting and eventually they get along pretty well. At the end of the show, as Chelsea and Norman burry their hatchet everything ends happily as well.

The story line is very simple. But don’t fall prey to its simplicity. This play is hilarious to the core! Norman’s sarcastic comments are sure to produce belly laughs every now and then. Ethel is shown extremely loving wife. She is the only one with capacity to backhand Norman’s acrid remarks in a very adorable manner. Their unshakable affection for each other makes them a perfect made-in-heaven couple. The reconciliation between father and daughter is well pictured without any over poignant dialogues. There are few sentimental moments too, but they are very calculated.

Overall, liked it dearly.