{"product_id":"9781617755873","title":"Knucklehead","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"This book is bold in how it treats the reader as an insider to the reality of American blackness. It can be, in turns, lyrically poignant, cynical, hilarious, and infuriating.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eForeword Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e, Starred Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"In this comic debut novel, lawyer Marcus Hayes careens through the racially divisive 1990s while trying to manage his compulsive anger, chaotic love life, and economic misfortunes...Smyer gives Marcus a sardonic and hilarious voice reminiscent of a Paul Beatty protagonist and endows him with a troubled psychology that plumbs the nuances of black male identity.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Marcus is an intelligent, acerbic, and often hilarious narrator, bringing a fresh, biting perspective to the social and racial tensions of the time that, as debut novelist Smyer makes clear, are not particularly different from today.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"While not strictly a crime novel, Smyer's debut \u003cem\u003eKnucklehead\u003c\/em\u003e does contain a whole lot of guns, violence, and rage, as well as plenty of love and sadness. A black lawyer in the late 80s through the mid-90s deals with micro and macro aggressions from a society determined to treat him as a criminal. Also, there are cats. Lots of cats.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eLiterary Hub\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, included in \u003cb\u003ethe Most Anticipated Crime, Mystery, and Thriller Titles of 2018\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"While the provocative subject material will take readers to a sometimes-uncomfortable place, this brilliant debut is also deeply, darkly funny...This is one of those books that simply has to be discussed, as it managed to tackle difficult topics with unexpected humor and pathos. While Marcus is a troubled character, his journey and the choices he makes will provide rich meat for discussion about race in America and how justifiable anger can turn toxic.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eIndiePicks Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"[A] masterpiece...In this, his debut narrative, Smyer dramatically encapsulates the ancestral trauma, the collective guilt and suffering of tens of millions of people. Indeed he has scored big. Real big...A must buy.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eKaitur News\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e (Guyana)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"From page one,\u003ci\u003eKnucklehead\u003c\/i\u003eis a literary punch in the face. Adam Smyer's exploration of rage is unflinching, brave, and absolutely brilliant. There's so much energy in this debut you could put it in your tank and drive on it.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eMat Johnson\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eLoving Day\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Adam Smyer is an incendiary new voice who announces himself with the force of a Category 5 hurricane. With refreshing honesty and rip-roaring, wipe-the-tears-from-your-eyes humor, \u003ci\u003eKnucklehead\u003c\/i\u003e prefigures our deranged times through the prism of the 1990s, forever debunking the illusory promise of that era by turning the mirror to our collective failures and deficiencies. A staggering, unforgettable debut.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eArthur Nersesian\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Fuck-Up\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn\u003ci\u003eKnucklehead\u003c\/i\u003ewe meet Marcus Hayes, a black law student who struggles, sometimes unsuccessfully, with the impulse to confront everyday bad behavior with swift and antisocial action. The cause of this impulse is unknown to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Marcus unexpectedly becomes involved with the brilliant and kind Amalia Stewart, her love and acceptance pacify his demons. But when his demons return, he is no longer inclined to contain them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Akashic Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47042201157872,"sku":"9781617755873","price":15.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781617755873_p0.jpg?v=1763850760","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781617755873","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}