Heartbreak House
Heartbreak House is a play written by George Bernard Shaw and first published in 1919.
The story narrates a series of love triangles revolving around the Edwardian gentry. A series of stories around a country house run by an eccentric host and former sea captain of 88 years.
A bridal couple has been invited there to spend the weekend and meet the captain's married daughters, each representing a different set of values. Other characters, each more peculiar than the last, such as a philandering son-in-law or a not very clever thief, will appear in the story.
Shaw attacks the stupidity of pre-World War I English society, as well as the capitalism and purposelessness of many wealthy people.
"The hilly country in the middle of the north edge of Sussex, looking very pleasant on a fine evening at the end of September, is seen through the windows of a room which has been built so as to resemble the after part of an old-fashioned high-pooped ship, with a stern gallery..."
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading Heartbreak House in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 136
- Reading time
- 3 hours 59 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1919
- Language
- English
107 years later, still timely
Why Read Heartbreak House in 2026?
A witty house party drifts toward disaster. Conversation is the action, and charm is a mask for a society asleep at the wheel.
Today's connection
Use it to discuss elites, distraction, and the calm before crisis. Shaw turns drawing room sparkle into an alarm bell that still rings.
Talk as weapon
Banters hide hard stakes.
Satire lens
Pleasure as a form of denial.
Edge of change
Laughter beside the cliff.
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About the author
George Bernard Shaw
Debate on a stage; satire and moral pressure that move people not just lines.
