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The Sport of the Gods

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

(3.5 stars) • 10 reviews

A devoted family's secure life is destroyed by false accusations, thrusting them into a world of prejudice and social struggle.

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Released
2006-02-25
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Summary

"The Sport of the Gods" by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a story set in the early 1900s that follows the Hamiltons, a Black family led by Berry, a dedicated butler, as they grapple with the harsh realities of life in post-Civil War America. The book tackles big ideas like prejudice, social standing, and who people are, as the Hamiltons struggle against unfair treatment after Berry is wrongly blamed for stealing from his boss. At the beginning, the Hamiltons are shown living peacefully on the land of Maurice Oakley, Berry's employer, showcasing Berry's strong connection to the Oakley family, his modest roots, and the secure life he has built with his wife, Fannie, and their kids, Joe and Kit. As Berry gets ready for an important goodbye dinner for Mr. Oakley's brother, the book highlights the family's close bonds and their hopes for a brighter future. However, this peaceful life is soon shattered by a coming disaster and accusations that will turn their world upside down.

About the Author

Paul Laurence Dunbar was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Dayton, Ohio, to parents who had been enslaved in Kentucky before the American Civil War, Dunbar began writing stories and verse when he was a child. He published his first poems at the age of 16 in a Dayton newspaper, and served as president of his high school's literary society.

Average Rating
4.0
Aggregate review score sourced from Goodreads
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Total Reviews
10.0k
Total reviews from Goodreads may change