Slapboxing with Jesus, Paperback/Victor Lavalle

Contributor(s): Author: Victor Lavalle Twelve original and interconnected stories in the traditions of Junot D az and Sherman Alexie. Victor D. LaValle's astonishing, violent, and funny debut offers harrowing glimpses at the vulnerable lives of young people who struggle not only to come of age, but to survive the city streets. In "ancient history," two best friends graduating from high school fight to be the one to leave first for a better world; each one wants to be the fortunate son. In "pops," an African-American boy meets his father, a white cop from Connecticut, and tries not to care. And in "kids on colden street," a boy is momentarily uplifted by the arrival of a younger sister only to discover that brutality leads only to brutality in the natural order of things. Written with raw candor, grit, and a cautious heart, slapboxing with jesus introduces an exciting and bold new craftsman of contemporary fiction. LaValle's voices echo long after their stories are told.   Review citations Publishers Weekly / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 57 - 09/13/1999 Publishers Weekly / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 57 - 09/13/1999 Publishers Weekly / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 57 - 09/13/1999 Publishers Weekly / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 57 - 09/13/1999 Publishers Weekly / Highly Recommended - pg. 57 - 09/13/1999 Kirkus Reviews / Best Of The Best/Highly Recommended - pg. 1434 - 09/15/1999 Kirkus Reviews / Exceptional Presentation - pg. 1434 - 09/15/1999 Kirkus Reviews / Book Of Special Distinction - pg. 1434 - 09/15/1999 Kirkus Reviews / Top 15 Book Of The Year - pg. 1434 - 09/15/1999 Kirkus Reviews / Highly Recommended - pg. 1434 - 09/15/1999 Booklist - pg. 420 - 10/15/1999 New York Times - pg. 25 - 10/31/1999 New Yorker (The) - pg. 124 - 11/29/1999 Essence - pg. 74 - 02/01/2000 Black Issues Book Review - pg. 19 - 05/01/2000 Mosaic - pg. 36 - 08/01/2001