American Skin A Novel [Paperback]

American Skinwas first published in the United Kingdom to resounding acclaim after the author used his last seventy-five dollars to make an unsolicited submission to the publisher of the Scottish beats, whose work he admired. It is a timeless story about a young man's coming-of-age as well as a stunning portrait of the class and racial tensions that pervade our society.
Alex Verdi is on the lam, fleeing from the police who have arrested his parents on drug charges and want him for questioning. Traveling to Chicago, he joins a multiracial group of anti-Nazi skinheads and embarks on an odyssey that takes him from the city's embattled streets to an Army boot camp to Northwestern's plush campus, and finally lands him amid the horrors of maximum-security prison.
In this intense and gripping debut, Don De Grazia confirms his stature as a young writer of uncommon seriousness and consummate artistry.Hubert Selby Jr. author ofLast Exit to BrooklynIt's a terrific book and De Grazia is a wonderful writer....Beautifully narrated....perfectly balanced.Carolyn Chute author ofThe Beans of Egypt, MaineIt is the American story American literature is not complete without. In fact, without Alex Verdi's story, American literature is a lie.Jim Carroll author ofThe Basketball DiariesThis book deals with a particularly American subject in a manner that has not been done before. The writing is fast, tough and beautiful.Laurence O'TooleLondon Independent( Independent Choice top recommendation) At first sight De Grazia's novel seems inspired by gang movies likeThe Wild One to Rumblefish.Thoughts ofHuckleberry Finnsoon arise; also, far deeper links to the epics of Homer.Maggie Estep author ofSoft ManiacsDon De Grazia writes like a lyrical bulldozer, relentless and gorgeous at once.Andrew Vachss author ofChoice of EvilA powerful debut....Get your bets down now.