This is the next to last play, chronologically, in the August Wilson Century Cycle, a chronicle of African-American life in the 20th century. Probably the best known play in the series is The Piano Lesson which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1990. All except one of the plays is set in Pittsburgh, decade by decade, over the course of the 20th century.
This play is set in 1985 in two tenement backyards in Pittsburgh's Hill District, where August Wilson was born. There are six characters; King Hedley II, his mother Ruby, his partner in crime Mister, his wife Tonya, Elmore who is an old flame of Ruby's and a neighbor named Stool Pigeon.
I have in my library all of the plays except Radio Golf, the last play chronologically, (the series is listed by chronological order and production order) and have read several of them. August Wilson was an excellent writer (he died at the age of 61 in 2005). I have enjoyed all of his plays that I have read and in one review I read he was considered on par with Eugene O'Neill and Tennessee Williams.
King Hedley II is 36 years old and had served 7 years in prison for the murder of a man who left him with a vicious scar running down the left side of his face. His wife Tonya is pregnant and they have a running argument throughout the play about whether or not she is going to keep the baby or have an abortion.
King and Mister in addition to their life of crime are selling refrigerators. King's mother Ruby was a band singer in her youth and has become a person caught up in the sorrow of an unfulfilled life. Elmore is an aging hustler brought into the story by his love for Ruby. Stool Pigeon is a neighbor who is prone to reciting Biblical verse as he works to bring Aunt Ester's cat back to life.
The play is a tragedy with all of the emotional force of a classic Greek tragedy. In the vernacular of the street the characters tell of their struggles to hold on to hope and humanity. Throughout the action is an undertone of violence that crops up unexpectedly with life changing consequences. This play, like the others in the series that I have read, conveys a way of life, what it means to be African-American and live in 20th century America.
I feel that reading this book has enriched my life and I heartily recommend it. ( )

2 Acts