What do you think?
Rate this book
الفتى الذهبي
The Acting Edition contains notes showing how nearly all scene changes may be made with a minimum of effort. People are inclined to laugh at Joe, a moody young Italian with "cockeyed" notions. At heart a musician he has a real talent for the violin he longs to be "top man" in some other field. So he goes into the prizefighting racket and becomes surprisingly good at it. In each fight he becomes more and more brutish and finally in a big match he kills his opponent. With both hands broken and his spirit crushed, money and fame mean nothing to him. Not even Lorna, the girl who once gave him courage to face defeat, can lift him out of his despair. Driving madly through the night to forget everything, Joe and Lorna are killed.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 1948
8 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Clifford Odets
79books32followersClifford Odets (July 18, 1906 � August 14, 1963) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and director. Odets was born in Philadelphia to Louis Odets (born Gorodetsky) and Pearl Geisinger, Russian- and Romanian-Jewish immigrants, and raised in Philadelphia and the Bronx, New York. He dropped out of high school after two years to become an actor. In 1931, he became a founding member of the Group Theatre, a highly influential New York theatre company that utilized an acting technique new to the United States. This technique was based on the system devised by the Russian actor and director Constantin Stanislavski. It was further developed by Group Theatre director Lee Strasberg and became known as The Method or Method Acting. Odets eventually became the Group's primary playwright.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 22, 2025
نمایشنامه ی پسر طلایی
کلیفورد اودتس
ترجمه ی رضا شیرمرز
نشر قطره
تعداد صفحات : 130
کلیفورد اودتس
ترجمه ی رضا شیرمرز
نشر قطره
تعداد صفحات : 130
September 15, 2010
Yikes. I feel really guilty marking this book as 2 stars given some of the other things I have rated as such but I can't say I liked it which is the qualification for three stars. I know that Odets is considered to be one of the great playwrights and this was the first thing of his I read. Maybe because it was unfinished at his death, maybe because it was a musical, maybe what was ahead of its time seems dated now. I don't know. I think the play succeeded well at conveying a sense of foreboding; things never seemed like they would turn out well. I don't know, so many movies have plots like this, but the play predates the movies, but my viewing of the movies predate the play... I don't know. I'm going to try another of his plays and see if I have a more favorable reaction.
March 4, 2021
الفتى الذهبي، جو أو بونابارت، والعلاقة التي تنشأ بينه وبين الحسناء التي تجهز على حياته وتدمرها تماماً.. قصة صعوده وانهياره في نفس الوقت.. القصة التي انهت على حياة الموسيقي الذي توجه إلي لعب البوكس عوضاً عن ذلك..
August 29, 2024
WOW SOME GREAT SCENES IN HEREEEEEE
May 29, 2013
The more plays I read by Odets, the more enamored of his writing I become. This one is gut wrenching-very powerful!
June 25, 2024
my characterization of lorna is saving nobody
February 13, 2024
Golden Boy.. wow what a story. Interesting story. Broken hands but fighting and winning. Succeeding despite losing compassion and his association with the others. But, interestingly, he never really had that compassion. Joe is destined for a straight drive of ambition. From his introduction to moody, it's a brash, bet-on-myself life. It almost feels like he went out..on top? Doing the thing he loves, with the girl he loves, driving in his luxury car having just hit the epitome of boxing - a knock out so hard it killed a man.
But, then it feels like a warning of ambitions.
When do we get over the chip on our shoulder that got us here?
A question I think about a lot in my own life. If the answer is realistically never, then what does that say about our continual drive?
We are spurred by a hurt and a trauma that no longer exists except in our minds.
We are not units of health, but units of consumption. Eating tasks and achievements repeatedly trying to satiate a hunger that is in our minds.
"And to break his hands, as almost a rights of passage for a boxer, he broke that dream of reaching his potential as a violinist."
such an amazing juxtoposition.
But, then it feels like a warning of ambitions.
When do we get over the chip on our shoulder that got us here?
A question I think about a lot in my own life. If the answer is realistically never, then what does that say about our continual drive?
We are spurred by a hurt and a trauma that no longer exists except in our minds.
We are not units of health, but units of consumption. Eating tasks and achievements repeatedly trying to satiate a hunger that is in our minds.
"And to break his hands, as almost a rights of passage for a boxer, he broke that dream of reaching his potential as a violinist."
such an amazing juxtoposition.
October 23, 2019
I know it's unfair to judge some of these older plays by today's standards but after all, Shakespeare wrote 400 years ago. The "dated" defense only goes so far. Attitudes from the 1930s are understandably different from today, but it's very distracting to a 21st century reader to see a character say, "Hit your wife in private, not public!" Overall, though, the play is weak. The protagonist is a violinist who wants to make a name for himself as a boxer. A bit far fetched out of the gate. We have his father, who romantically and unreasonably wants him to not fight and continue with the violin. There's a love triangle that makes zero sense, a violent gangster type who wants to take over as manager (the threat of his violence never materializes), and a menacingly fast car that creates a melodramatically tragic ending. Final analysis: completely two-dimensional.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
This play, I had no thoughts going into it.
The characters all have different motivations and for the protagonist—Joe really wants to be understood and taken seriously. And boy do they make Joe so miserable (I’m maybe a little dramatic). I felt for Joe and his father because they have dreams that want to come true. But the life of boxing really ruins that—and freaking Lorna!
Don’t like that woman and truly hated her with Joe. The play tugged at my heart, and the ending is truly sad and upsetting.
The characters all have different motivations and for the protagonist—Joe really wants to be understood and taken seriously. And boy do they make Joe so miserable (I’m maybe a little dramatic). I felt for Joe and his father because they have dreams that want to come true. But the life of boxing really ruins that—and freaking Lorna!
Don’t like that woman and truly hated her with Joe. The play tugged at my heart, and the ending is truly sad and upsetting.
February 16, 2025
مسرحية The Golden Boy كانت تجربة حلوة، وعجبتني فكرتها عن الصراع بين الطموح الفني والرغبة في النجاح المادي. جو كشخصية كان مثير للاهتمام، خصوصًا وهو بيتنقل بين عالمين مختلفين تمامًا—الموسيق� والملاكمة. الحوار كان فيه لحظات قوية، وحبيت الطريقة اللي المسرحية بتناقش بيها فكرة التضحية مقابل النجاح.
لكن في نفس الوقت، حسيت إنها كان ممكن تكون أقوى من كده. بعض الشخصيات كانت تقليدية شوية، والنهاية كانت متوقعة لحد ما. رغم كده، المسرحية قدرت تخليني متفاعلة مع الأحداث وأفكر في الأسئلة اللي بتطرحها عن الأحلام والطموح.
لكن في نفس الوقت، حسيت إنها كان ممكن تكون أقوى من كده. بعض الشخصيات كانت تقليدية شوية، والنهاية كانت متوقعة لحد ما. رغم كده، المسرحية قدرت تخليني متفاعلة مع الأحداث وأفكر في الأسئلة اللي بتطرحها عن الأحلام والطموح.
February 11, 2023
I personally have a hard time reading something where you know things won’t turn out. This story was very foreboding of that. It’s not that I always need a happy ending, but this was an extremely slow burn where nothing good felt like it was ever happening and I didn’t like any of the characters in this story (aside from the protagonists father) which also made the story hard for me.
February 13, 2025
what a great play portraying what happens when you’re selling your soul, it’s incredible that the author was reflecting a time of his own life in the main character of the play, I’ve been breaking down the scenes with Lorna in the bench in my script analysis class and everyday I just keep on discovering how well made this play is written.
January 25, 2018
I love the time period that this play takes place in and that it centers around a young boxer. The ending is so dramatic and perfect for these two main characters.
March 20, 2018
Read for my American Drama class.
2.5 stars...just wasn’t really a fan
2.5 stars...just wasn’t really a fan
November 30, 2018
Great to finally read this play some six years after I saw the 2012 Lincoln Center revival at the Belasco.
July 17, 2022
Odets is a one liner king. But why’d he end it like that?
August 10, 2023
شاید هم من لذتش را نفهمیدم.
Read
January 12, 2024aw man. Ending kills it for me—had to look up another version just to make sure my pdf wasn’t missing any pages—but there are some scenes here that I’d really like to put up in scene study
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
Lowkey shit from a butt 😭😭
January 22, 2025
Enjoyed it but was predictable and seemed antiquated and isn’t timeless, but I could imagine it being timely when it was released.
March 6, 2025
great scenes for lorna and moody and lorna and joe
March 23, 2013
“The Price of Following One’s Heart
Odet’s 1937 drama about a New York City young man who chooses the life of a professional boxer proves a suspenseful read—probing the subtle depths of the diverse motivations of the human heart. Readers/spectators are mesmerized by the parade of strong emotions
displayed by various mostly male characters: greed, violence, ambition, manipulation, lust. Contrasted by a few moments of tenderness and family loyalty. As in a movie noir it takes a dame to throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans of promoters and hustlers.
Many guys want a piece of the action—helping 21-year-old Joe Bonaparte develop his golden gloves in the ring. Eager to escape his poverty and ridiculed appearance, Joe is torn between his love for music—cherished by his immigrant father, and a burning desire to Be Somebody in t he world. He longs for fast cars, masculine respect and the love of a sweet woman. But it is not in the cards that he will attain them all.
Lorna Moon is the deal-breaker broad, long suffering girlfriend of Moody, Joe’s married manager, who is ordered to sweet talk Joe into abandoning his violin for the ring. Even though he could ruin his hands for a future musical career. Does the Golden Boy know his own mind? Does he know enough to follow his heart? Waffling between Moody and Joe Lorna plays a dangerous game—with her own heart at stake—risking Joe’s very career. Deeply conflicted Joe must choose one of the two golden paths before him. At 21 he is at the crossroads of his life: Music and Papa’s dream or boxing and Moody’s machine. How can he escape all the turbulent, negative challenges that assail him and just enjoy a sweet life on the road with Lorna? A worthy member of the trio of plays about American Individualism.
(Oct. 30, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
Odet’s 1937 drama about a New York City young man who chooses the life of a professional boxer proves a suspenseful read—probing the subtle depths of the diverse motivations of the human heart. Readers/spectators are mesmerized by the parade of strong emotions
displayed by various mostly male characters: greed, violence, ambition, manipulation, lust. Contrasted by a few moments of tenderness and family loyalty. As in a movie noir it takes a dame to throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans of promoters and hustlers.
Many guys want a piece of the action—helping 21-year-old Joe Bonaparte develop his golden gloves in the ring. Eager to escape his poverty and ridiculed appearance, Joe is torn between his love for music—cherished by his immigrant father, and a burning desire to Be Somebody in t he world. He longs for fast cars, masculine respect and the love of a sweet woman. But it is not in the cards that he will attain them all.
Lorna Moon is the deal-breaker broad, long suffering girlfriend of Moody, Joe’s married manager, who is ordered to sweet talk Joe into abandoning his violin for the ring. Even though he could ruin his hands for a future musical career. Does the Golden Boy know his own mind? Does he know enough to follow his heart? Waffling between Moody and Joe Lorna plays a dangerous game—with her own heart at stake—risking Joe’s very career. Deeply conflicted Joe must choose one of the two golden paths before him. At 21 he is at the crossroads of his life: Music and Papa’s dream or boxing and Moody’s machine. How can he escape all the turbulent, negative challenges that assail him and just enjoy a sweet life on the road with Lorna? A worthy member of the trio of plays about American Individualism.
(Oct. 30, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
May 26, 2015
I was super intrigued by this musical when I moved to Sullivan County, New York. The Musical Theater Project radio program plays on the weekends here for the local NPR station, and they played one of the songs last fall. I was first of all intrigued because I didn't know that the composer for ANNIE had adapted Clifford Odets' play into a musical. I was also surprised to learn that it was a star vehicle for Sammy Davis, Jr., and then, lastly, I liked the music. I was sort of mad that I didn't learn about this musical because...it's good...
Anyway, I added it to the list of plays I would be willing to direct for SUNY Sullivan's 2015-2016 Season, and it didn't get chosen, but...I will have to keep it on the back burner because it is really fascinating. Some of the scenes are a bit dated and silly (especially the stage directions for the supposed scandalous kiss), but, I would like to run it around the ring a bit. I think it is better in the music than the script, and I think that is sort of William Gibson's fault because he took over script writing for Clifford Odets, when he died. I have a link for the overture here, and, if you are interested, you should take a listen...
Anyway, I added it to the list of plays I would be willing to direct for SUNY Sullivan's 2015-2016 Season, and it didn't get chosen, but...I will have to keep it on the back burner because it is really fascinating. Some of the scenes are a bit dated and silly (especially the stage directions for the supposed scandalous kiss), but, I would like to run it around the ring a bit. I think it is better in the music than the script, and I think that is sort of William Gibson's fault because he took over script writing for Clifford Odets, when he died. I have a link for the overture here, and, if you are interested, you should take a listen...
April 5, 2013
This is the first play of Odets's I have read, based on a very positive New Yorker review of a recent production.
Was the play groundbreaking in its time? Can a stunning production make something marvelously striking out of it? All I can say is that reading it in 2013, it felt like the synopsis for a play or novel to be written rather than a play proper. The characters felt stereotypical, the progression contrived rather than developing naturally.
I would have to read other plays by Odets to get a better grasp of his writing and success, but I have to say I do not feel encouraged to do so.
Was the play groundbreaking in its time? Can a stunning production make something marvelously striking out of it? All I can say is that reading it in 2013, it felt like the synopsis for a play or novel to be written rather than a play proper. The characters felt stereotypical, the progression contrived rather than developing naturally.
I would have to read other plays by Odets to get a better grasp of his writing and success, but I have to say I do not feel encouraged to do so.
August 17, 2020
I enjoyed this play for the most part, but was a bit let down by the overall story. The narrative is kinda shallow and is mainly focused on this one man, and the others characters often get overcast and don't have much depth to them. For a play written in 1930's, I think the dialogue and word choice is fun and not that dated. Some scenes in the play are extremely well-written and this play has moments of absolute brilliance. The title comes back into play in a clever way and the ending left me with many questions.
September 23, 2014
I thought this was a wonderfully well done play. There were several plot points that could have been developed, and many of the characters were underdeveloped, but I enjoyed what was there. I could completely understand the situation and sympathize with the ruling conflict. I feel this would make a great play for high schools or colleges to put on with all the bullying headlines in the news.
July 9, 2007
I can't remember if it was a play first, then adapted for film, or the other way ...
برای نقد و بررسی آثار کلیفورد اودتس، اینجا را بخوانید
برای نقد و بررسی آثار کلیفورد اودتس، اینجا را بخوانید
October 14, 2021
An awkward musical. The book doesn’t have great flow, although I did like some of the songs.
I’m interested in reading the reviews if the original production.
Reading the musical makes me want to revisit Odets� original.
I’m interested in reading the reviews if the original production.
Reading the musical makes me want to revisit Odets� original.
December 5, 2007
what would later be ripped off for as "million dollar baby" (mostly)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.