The Greatest American "Plays, Nonfiction" Books Since 1980

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Plays

Plays are a category of literature that consists of written works intended for performance on stage. They typically feature dialogue between characters and are structured into acts and scenes. Plays can be comedic, tragic, or a combination of both, and often explore themes such as love, power, and morality. They are meant to be performed by actors in front of an audience, and can be enjoyed both as written works and as live performances.

Nonfiction

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  1. 1. The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer

    The play is a searing drama set during the early years of the AIDS crisis in New York City. It follows the passionate and outspoken protagonist, a gay Jewish-American writer and activist, as he forms an organization to raise awareness about the mysterious disease decimating the gay community. Battling against indifference, denial, and political obstacles, he confronts the realities of the epidemic, the limitations of the healthcare system, and the personal toll of the crisis, including the impact on his own relationships. Through his journey, the play exposes the fear, anger, and heartbreak experienced by those at the forefront of the struggle, while also serving as a powerful call to action against ignorance and apathy.

  2. 2. The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

    This groundbreaking work is a series of poignant, powerful, and at times humorous monologues based on interviews with a diverse group of women. The piece delves into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage, and excitement buried in women's experiences. Through its exploration of the female body, the work confronts issues of sexuality, violence, and the social stigma surrounding women's bodies and women's rights. It has become a dynamic movement to support women's empowerment and raise awareness about violence against women, transforming the monologues into a worldwide phenomenon.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download