Slapboxing with Jesus, Paperback

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