The Sport of the Gods - (Black Narratives) by Paul Laurence Dunbar (Paperback)

The Sport of the Gods is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the lives of African Americans in the post-Civil War era.

Set in an unfamiliar city, the story follows Berry Hamilton, a black man who has moved north with his wife and two children after being freed from slavery.

Despite finding work as a butler for a wealthy white family, Berry's life takes a drastic turn when he is accused of stealing money from the household safe and sent to prison for ten years of hard labor.

His wife Fannie and their son Joe must fend for themselves in the face of poverty and discrimination, leading Joe to seek work and companionship in a local club where he meets Hattie Sterling, an entertainer with a turbulent past.

As the family's fortunes rise and fall, they are forced to confront the harsh realities of race and class in America, making The Sport of the Gods a timeless classic of African American literature that continues to resonate with readers today.