87 pages • 2 hours read
The Piano Lesson
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Book Brief
108
Play • Fiction
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • 1930s
1987
Adult
18+ years
NP
Super Short Summary
The Piano Lesson explores the Charles family’s struggle over a symbolic piano with intricate carvings representing their ancestry. Boy Willie wants to sell it to buy land, while his sister Berniece refuses, haunted by the piano’s history of slavery and loss. This conflict is heightened by the presence of the ghost of their family’s former enslaver, which leads to a climactic exorcism. The play depicts racism and discussions of racial violence and acts of lynching.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
10,122 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson captivates with its rich exploration of African American heritage and complex family dynamics. Critics praise its profound storytelling and compelling characters. Some note that its heavy thematic focus may challenge casual readers, but its dramatic depth and cultural significance are universally acknowledged.
Who Should Read The Piano Lesson?
Readers who appreciate The Piano Lesson by August Wilson typically enjoy family sagas, African American history, and the exploration of racial and cultural identity. Fans of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Beloved by Toni Morrison would find its rich storytelling and complex themes compelling.
10,122 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Boy Willie Charles
Boy Willie Charles
A 30-year-old man from Mississippi who is determined and loud, he seeks to sell the family piano for a significant personal goal.
Lymon Jackson
Lymon Jackson
Boy Willie's 29-year-old friend who accompanies him to Pittsburgh, bringing a truck of watermelons and a desire for peace and a good woman.
Berniece
Berniece
Boy Willie's 35-year-old older sister and mother to Maretha, who is protective of the family piano and cautious about its significance.
Maretha
Maretha
An 11-year-old girl and Berniece's daughter, representing the younger generation with a more innocent view of the family's history and piano.
Avery Brown
Avery Brown
A 38-year-old preacher originally from Mississippi, courting Berniece while pursuing his dream of starting a church.
Wining Boy Charles
Wining Boy Charles
Doaker's 56-year-old brother, a wandering musician who struggles with the loss of his wife and his financial instability.
Grace
Grace
A woman who briefly appears as a romantic interest to both Boy Willie and Lymon, showing sensitivity to the tensions surrounding the family's situation.
108
Play • Fiction
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • 1930s
1987
Adult
18+ years
NP
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