Patience; Or, Bunthorne's Bride

Bunthorne is an aesthetic poet struggling with the legitimacy of his work and the female adoration it brings, when one woman suddenly rejects his advances. Patience; or, Bunthorne's Bride is a satire of an artistic movement and the superficial pressures it may bring. The poet Bunthorne is extremely popular among his male and female peers. He's the object of desire for many maidens, although only one catches his eye. Patience is a milkmaid who is uninterested in Bunthorne's work or status. She wants to fall in love with a man, unselfishly, without fame or titles. She and Bunthorne make a rocky connection that may be doomed before it even begins. Meanwhile, the other women look for partners with varying success. Patience; or, Bunthorne's Bride is a brilliant commentary on the vanity of romance in art. Gilbert and Sullivan deliver earnest characters with strong views in absurdist situations. This is a unique narrative that fits a bold story in a two-act structure. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Patience; or, Bunthorne's Bride is both modern and readable.

W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911) and Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) were theatrical collaborators during the nineteenth century. Prior to their partnership, Gilbert wrote and illustrated stories as a child, eventually developing his signature "topsy-turvy style. Sullivan was raised in a musical family where he learned to play multiple instruments at an early age. Together, their talents would help produce a successful series of comic operas. Some notable titles include The Pirates of Penzance, The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Mikado.