J

John Edgar Wideman

Bestselling Author • 6 Series • 36 Books

6
Series
36
Books
6
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Homewood Books
Start with: Sent for You Yesterday (1981)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: The Lynchers (1973)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: Brothers and Keepers (1984)

About John Edgar Wideman

In 1963, John got his bachelor’s degree in English and went to New College of Oxford University to study Philosophy under a Rhodes scholarship. It was at Oxford University that John Edgar Wideman studied eighteenth-century narrative techniques. It would not be until he published “Damballah,” a short story collection in 1981 that he grew into his learned, mature, and distinctively black style, which switches between the profane and the sublime a high literary mode, and an earthy vernacular. He has since made a reputation for penning stories that depict African American experiences in the cities in which they live. Wideman is currently a University of Massachusetts English professor. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Homewood Books series, John Edgar Wideman has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by John Edgar Wideman

Publication Order of Homewood Books
3 books 1981–1984
1

Sent for You Yesterday

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Homewood Books with Sent for You Yesterday, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1981
2

Hiding Place

Hiding Place is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Homewood Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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1981
3

Damballah

Damballah is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Homewood Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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1984
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
8 books 1973–2008
1

The Lynchers

The Lynchers continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1973
2

A Glance Away

A Glance Away is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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1975
3

Hurry Home

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Hurry Home, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1986
4

Reuben

Reuben is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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1987
5

Philadelphia Fire

Philadelphia Fire continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1990
6

The Cattle Killing

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Cattle Killing as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases John Edgar Wideman's mastery of suspense.

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1996
7

Two Cities

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Two Cities, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1997
8

Fanon

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Fanon, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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2008
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
8 books 1984–2024
1

Brothers and Keepers

Brothers and Keepers is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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1984
2

Fatheralong

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Fatheralong, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1994
3

Conversations with John Edgar Wideman

Conversations with John Edgar Wideman continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1998
4

Chronicles of the Civil War

Conflict and courage define Chronicles of the Civil War, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by John Edgar Wideman that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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1999
5

Hoop Roots

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Hoop Roots, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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2001
6

The Island Martinique

The Island Martinique is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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2003
7

Writing to Save a Life

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Writing to Save a Life, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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2016
8

Slaveroad

Slaveroad continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2024
Publication Order of Collections
9 books 1989–2025
1

Fever

Fever continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1989
2

Stories of John Edgar Wideman

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with Stories of John Edgar Wideman, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1992
3

All Stories Are True

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with All Stories Are True, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1993
4

God's Gym

God's Gym is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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2005
5

Briefs

Briefs continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
6

American Histories

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with American Histories, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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2018
7

You Made Me Love You

You Made Me Love You explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Collections series by John Edgar Wideman.

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2021
8

Look For Me and I'll Be Gone

Look For Me and I'll Be Gone is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John Edgar Wideman have come to expect.

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2021
9

Languages of Home

Languages of Home continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2025
Publication Order of Best American Short Stories Books
1 books 2002–2002
1

The Best American Short Stories 2002

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Best American Short Stories Books with The Best American Short Stories 2002, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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2002
Publication Order of Anthologies
7 books 1996–2019
1

Go the Way Your Blood Beats

A gripping mystery unfolds in Go the Way Your Blood Beats as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases John Edgar Wideman's mastery of suspense.

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1996
2

The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction, another outstanding contribution from John Edgar Wideman.

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1999
3

Prize Stories 2000: The O. Henry Awards

Conflict and courage define Prize Stories 2000: The O. Henry Awards, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Anthologies series by John Edgar Wideman that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2000
4

20

20 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
5

My Soul Has Grown Deep

My Soul Has Grown Deep continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
6

Making Callaloo: 25 Years of Black Literature

Making Callaloo: 25 Years of Black Literature continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
7

The O. Henry Prize Stories 2019

The O. Henry Prize Stories 2019 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with John Edgar Wideman's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2019

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is John Edgar Wideman?

John Edgar Wideman is a bestselling author known for 6 book series containing over 36 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Homewood Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best John Edgar Wideman series to start with?

For readers new to John Edgar Wideman's work, the Publication Order of Homewood Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 3 books. Begin with Sent for You Yesterday to start from the very beginning.

How many books has John Edgar Wideman written?

John Edgar Wideman has written over 36 books across 6 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read John Edgar Wideman books in order?

Yes, reading John Edgar Wideman's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does John Edgar Wideman write in?

John Edgar Wideman writes primarily in fiction. With 6 series across 36 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are John Edgar Wideman's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of John Edgar Wideman's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is John Edgar Wideman's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, John Edgar Wideman's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Homewood Books series. The first book, Sent for You Yesterday, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.