This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Topdog Underdog

   

   The play centers around two African American brothers, Lincoln and Booth, who share a tenuous and competitive relationship marked by a troubled past. Lincoln, a former street hustler, now works as a Lincoln impersonator in a shooting gallery, while Booth aspires to be the greatest card hustler, practicing the three-card monte con that Lincoln has abandoned. As they navigate their sibling rivalry, the brothers grapple with their roles as the "topdog" and the "underdog" in a cycle of poverty and broken dreams. The narrative delves into themes of identity, family dynamics, and the struggle for power, culminating in a dramatic and tragic exploration of fate and the inescapable nature of their circumstances.

   The 14232nd Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Getting Mother's Body

   

   Set in 1963, this novel follows the spirited and determined Billy Beede, a young African American woman living in Texas, as she embarks on a journey to retrieve her deceased mother's rumored treasure buried alongside her in Arizona. With a colorful cast of characters, including her loyal Aunt June and her unreliable fiancé, Billy navigates a landscape filled with secrets, family tensions, and the pursuit of dreams. As she confronts her past and the legacy left by her mother, Billy discovers more than just material wealth, finding strength, identity, and a sense of belonging along the way.

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3. 3. In The Blood

   

   A gripping modern-day retelling of "The Scarlet Letter," this play follows the life of Hester, a homeless mother of five, as she struggles to survive in a harsh and judgmental society. With her children by her side, Hester faces the challenges of poverty, prejudice, and the stigma of her past, all while seeking redemption and a better future. The narrative delves into themes of systemic oppression, societal hypocrisy, and the resilience of the human spirit, painting a poignant picture of the marginalized and their fight for dignity and justice.

4. 4. Top Dog Under Dog

   

   In this gripping drama, two African-American brothers, Lincoln and Booth, grapple with their tumultuous relationship and the harsh realities of life on the margins of society. As they navigate themes of identity, family, and survival, the brothers are caught in a cycle of rivalry and dependency, with Lincoln's past as a master con artist casting a long shadow over their lives. The play delves into the complexities of brotherhood, the struggle for self-worth, and the haunting legacy of history, all set against the backdrop of a world where the odds are stacked against them.

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5. 5. Father Comes Home From The Wars

   

   In this three-part play, an enslaved man called Hero faces an agonizing choice during the American Civil War: to accept his owner’s bargain promising freedom if he returns from the fighting, or to strike out toward uncertain liberty by joining the fight on his own terms. As Hero travels between plantation and battlefield, the drama traces how war, loyalty, and promises fracture family bonds, reconfigure identities, and expose the costs of freedom; supporting characters—loved ones, fellow enslaved people, and the enslavers—push him into moral and emotional reckonings. The piece blends dark humor, poetic language, and ritualized chorus-like elements to interrogate honor, betrayal, and what it means to be a father, a husband, and a free human being.

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