Slapboxing with Jesus
“Slapboxing with Jesus” by Victor LaValle is a collection of twelve original and interconnected stories published by Vintage on October 5, 1999. This first edition, written in English and spanning 224 pages, presents a vivid exploration of the lives of young people navigating the challenges of urban life. LaValle’s debut delves into themes of survival and coming of age, offering a blend of humor and violence that reflects the complexities of their experiences.
Readers will find a range of narratives that capture the struggles of youth in New York City, showcasing characters who confront their realities with raw candor. The stories include poignant moments, such as the tension between two best friends eager to escape their circumstances and the fraught relationship between a boy and his father. With a focus on the harsh truths of life, LaValle’s work resonates with the voices of contemporary fiction, leaving a lasting impact as it examines the interplay of vulnerability and resilience in the face of adversity.
Official synopsis Publisher
Twelve original and interconnected stories in the traditions of Junot Díaz 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.
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