Plot Summary

The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Suzan-Lori Parks
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The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1990

Book Brief

Suzan-Lori Parks

The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1990
Book Details
Pages

51

Format

Play • Fiction

Publication Year

1990

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Suzan-Lori Parks’s play The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World: The Negro Book of the Dead is an abstract exploration featuring Biblical characters, historical figures, and racial stereotypes gathered around the burial site of Black Man with Watermelon, who repeatedly dies and is resurrected, symbolizing the enduring trauma and erasure faced by Black individuals throughout history. The play addresses themes of racism, historical erasure, and violence.

Mysterious

Dark

Contemplative

Challenging

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

3.3

32 ratings

47%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

22%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Suzan-Lori Parks' The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World is lauded for its innovative narrative style and profound exploration of African American identity and history. Critics praise its bold symbolism and lyrical dialogue but note its abstract structure can be perplexing for some audiences. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and challenging work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World?

Readers who appreciate avant-garde theater, poetic language, and explorations of African American history and identity will find Suzan-Lori Parks' The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World compelling. Comparable to August Wilson's plays and Toni Morrison's Beloved, it attracts those who value complex narratives and symbolic storytelling.

3.3

32 ratings

47%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

22%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

51

Format

Play • Fiction

Publication Year

1990

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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