20 pages 40 minutes read

Beth Henley

Crimes of the Heart

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1982

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley explores themes of family and resilience with a mix of dark humor and poignant moments. Critics praise its engaging, well-crafted characters and clever dialogue. However, some feel the plot can be predictable and the pacing uneven. Nevertheless, Henley's deft navigation of complex emotions remains a highlight.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Crimes of the Heart?

Readers who enjoy dark humor, Southern Gothic settings, and explorations of family dynamics will appreciate Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart. Fans of Truman Capote's Other Voices, Other Rooms or Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire will find similar themes of complex characters and emotional depth.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes
Values/Ideas: Music
Relationships: Family
Topics
Women's Studies (Nonfiction)
Education
Genre
Education
American Literature
Drama / Tragedy