The Kid - Softcover

Sapphire

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0241957303 ISBN 13: 9780241957301

Publisher: Penguin, 2012

Synopsis

In Push Sapphire told the story of Precious Jones and in 2009 her book was adapted into the Oscar-winning film Precious. The Kid is Sapphire's heartbreaking sequel to Push.

Abdul is nine years old when his mother dies. Parentless, he is sent to a foster home and then to a Catholic orphanage. But the priests charged to care for him abuse his trust terribly.

Abdul reacts in the most frightening way imaginable. Soon he is trapped in a dark cycle of sexual violence and betrayal. Yet through dance, in controlling his body, he discovers a way he might somehow break free and become himself . . .

A harrowing and powerful novel set in New York, The Kid is a portrait of a boy growing up in a cruel world.

'Prepare to be harrowed; I was sobbing by the end of the first chapter . . . Sapphire writes with a burning anger that gives this novel an explosive power' The Times

'Hardcore. Brave, bold, uncompromising. The breathtaking velocity and visceral power of Sapphire's prose soars off the page' Observer

'Captures the gruelling heartbreak of trying to love anything when the world doesn't love you enough' New York Herald Tribune

'A dark and punishing tale' Big Issue

'A fearless writer and thinker of enormous talent, insight and skill. Abdul's story is frighteningly realistic. A consummate work of art, style and brains. Full of the energy of pain, rage, grief and doubt' List

'Devastating. An accomplished work of art . . . hard to forget' Los Angeles Times

'Urgent, troubling, harrowing, masterfully narrated, powerful' Diva

Sapphire is the author of two poetry collections, Black Wings and Blind Angels and American Dreams and the bestselling novel Push. The film adaptation of her novel, Precious, received the Academy Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress - for actor Mo'Nique - in addition to the Grand Jury Prize and Audience awards in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance. In 2009 she was a recipient of a United States Artist Fellowship. She lives in New York City.

About this title

About the Author:

Sapphire is the author of two collections of poetry and the bestselling novel Push. The film adaption of her novel, Precious (2009), received the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress, in addition to the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Awards in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance. In 2009 she was a recipient of a United States Artist Fellowship. She lives in New York City.

Review:

“A devastating voice, demanding and raw . . . an accomplished work of art.” — THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

“The breathtaking velocity and visceral power of her prose soars off the page...The Kid gives us a story and a narrative voice which, like his mother’s before him, should definitely be heard.” — THE GUARDIAN (UK)

“[P]owerful... affecting and harrowing.” — Michiko Kakutani, THE NEW YORK TIMES

“[Sapphire] remains fearlessly committed to telling uncomfortable truths... Like Push, The Kid is deeply moving and unflinching.” — ESSENCE

“The Kid’s unflinching authenticity makes it tough yet ultimately rewarding to read.” — PEOPLE

"Steely-eyed, full-frontal daring." — PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0241957303
• ISBN 13: 9780241957301
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384