{"product_id":"9781888451948","title":"Becoming Abigail","description":"\u003cbr\u003e\"Compelling and gorgeously written, this is a coming-of-age novella like no other. Chris Abani explores the depths of loss and exploitation with what can only be described as a knowing tenderness. An extraordinary, necessary book.\"—Cristina Garcia, author of \u003ci\u003eDreaming in Cuban\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Abani's voice brings perspective to every moment, turning pain into a beautiful painterly meditation on loss and aloneness.\"—Aimee Bender, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Girl in the Flammable Skirt\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Abani's empathy for Abigail's torn life is matched only by his honesty in portraying it. Nothing at all is held back. A harrowing piece of work.”—Peter Orner, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Esther Stories\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTough, spirited, and fiercely independent Abigail is brought as a teenager to London from Nigeria by relatives who attempt to force her into prostitution. She flees, struggling to find herself in the shadow of a strong but dead mother. In spare yet haunting and lyrical prose reminiscent of Marguerite Duras, Abani brings to life a young woman who lives with a strength and inner light that will enlighten and uplift the reader.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChris Abani\u003c\/b\u003e is a poet and novelist and the author, most recently, of \u003ci\u003eGraceLand\u003c\/i\u003e, which won the 2005 PEN\/Hemingway Prize, a Silver Medal in the California Book Awards, and was a finalist for several other prizes including the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e Book Prize. His other prizes include a PEN Freedom-to-Write Award, a Prince Claus Award, and a Lannan Literary Fellowship. He lives and teaches in California.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Akashic Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47062208086256,"sku":"9781888451948","price":15.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781888451948_p0.jpg?v=1763607212","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781888451948","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}