The Virgin of Flames

From the author of the award-winning GraceLand comes a searing, dazzlingly written novel of a tarnished City of Angels

Praised as "singular" (The Philadelphia Inquirer) and "extraordinary" (The New York Times Book Review), GraceLand stunned critics and instantly established Chris Abani as an exciting new voice in fiction. In his second novel, set against the uncompromising landscape of East L.A., Abani follows a struggling artist named Black, whose life and friendships reveal a world far removed from the mainstream. Through Black's journey of self- discovery, Abani raises essential questions about poverty, religion, and ethnicity in America today. The Virgin of Flames, a marvelous and gritty novel filled with indelible images and unforgettable characters, confirms Chris Abani as an immensely talented writer.

Author: Chris Abani
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 01/01/2007
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.58lbs
Size: 7.78h x 5.28w x 0.84d
ISBN: 9780143038771

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 11/06/2006 pg. 37
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2006 pg. 1139
Booklist 12/15/2006 pg. 20
New Yorker (The) 01/22/2007 pg. 85
Entertainment Weekly 02/02/2007 pg. 128
New York Times 01/28/2007 pg. 8

About the Author
Chris Abani, author of GraceLand and Becoming Abigail, was born in Nigeria and has lived in London, New York, and Los Angeles. He is currently an associate professor at the University of California, Riverside.