John Guare Book order

Exploring themes of identity and loss, the play follows Rosalie, who, after dying in a bicycle accident, reflects on her life and the choices made. As she observes her sister Betty taking over her life in New York, the narrative shifts dramatically when tragedy strikes, leading to Betty becoming the prime suspect in her son's murder. John Guare skillfully intertwines past and present, crafting a poignant commentary on the elusive nature of the American dream and the complexities of familial bonds.

Set in a Fifth Avenue brownstone during the 1880s, the narrative explores Ulysses S. Grant's struggles as he faces terminal illness while trying to complete his memoirs. Surrounded by family, his publisher Mark Twain, and hallucinations of the emperor of Japan, Grant's journey delves into themes of history, memory, and the nature of fame. As the memoirs reach completion, the play challenges the audience to reflect on the reliability of historical accounts and the complexities of truth.

Six Degrees of Separation is a modern American classic play: an explosive comedy that exposes white middle-class hypocrisy and prejudice.