Mawrdew Czgowchwz

When contralto Mawrdew Czgowchwz (pronounced Mardu Gorgeous) bursts onto the opera scene, her mediocre and jealous rivals do not accept defeat easily. After Mawrdews debut, events turn ugly, threatening not only her career but also her sanity and possibly her life. This send-up of the opera world has been a cult classic for more than 25 years. Bravo, James McCourt ... (a) daringly self-assured debut with this intelligent and very funny book. -- Susan Sontag