Graceland

Description

In this coming-of-age tale set in the shadows of Nigeria's underworld, Elvis, a young Elvis impersonator, hopes to escape the ghetto of Lagos, but with no immediate prospects, he gravitates towards a life of crime. Ultimately, he must find a way to a 'Graceland' of his own.

Awards

Shortlisted for IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2006.

Reviews

"Abani's intensely visual style--and his sense of humor--convert the stuff of hopelessness into the stuff of hope."--"San Francisco Chronicle""Extraordinary...This book works brilliantly in two ways. As a convincing and unpatronizing record of life in a poor Nigerian slum, and as a frighteningly honest insight into a world skewed by casual violence, it's wonderful...And for all the horrors, there are sweet scenes in Graceland too, and they're a thousand times better for being entirely unsentimental...Lovely." --"The New York Times Book Review""To say that this is a Nigerian or African novel is to miss the point. This absolutely beautiful work of fiction is about complex strained political structures, the irony of the West being a measure of civilization, and the tricky business of being a son. Abani's language is beautiful and his story is important."--Percival Everett

Author description

Chris Abani was born in Nigeria. At age sixteen he published his first novel, for which he suffered severe political persecution. He went into exile in 1991, and has since lived in England and the United States. His last book, "Daphne's Lot," is a collection of poetry for which he won a 2003 Lannan Literary Fellowship. He is also the recipient of the PEN USA West Freedom to Write Award and the Prince Claus Award. Abani lives and teaches in Los Angeles.