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Cover of Arcadia by Tom Stoppard

Arcadia

Tom Stoppard

  • 104 pages · about 2 hours
  • First published 1993
  • 13 editions
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1 About this book

Arcadia moves back and forth between 1809 and the present at the elegant estate owned by the Coverly family. The 1809 scenes reveal a household in transition. As the Arcadian landscape is being transformed into picturesque Gothic gardens, complete with a hermitage, thirteen year-old Lady Thomasina and her tutor delve into intellectual and romantic issues.

Present day scenes depict the Coverly descendants and two competing scholars who are researching a possible scandal at the estate in 1809 involving Lord Byron. This brilliant play moves smoothly between the centuries and explores the nature of truth and time, the difference between classical and romantic temperaments, and the disruptive influence of sex on our life orbits- the attraction Newton left out.

Good for readers who want: a classic, historical fiction, and a short read.

  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Classics
  • Historical fiction
  • Plays
  • Drama
  • Theatre
  • Schools

2 About Tom Stoppard

1937–2025

Sir Tom Stoppard (; born Tomáš Sträussler; 3 July 1937 – 29 November 2025) was a British playwright and screenwriter. He wrote for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covered the themes of human rights, censorship, and political freedom, often delving into the deeper philosophical bases of society.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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