A passionate and original new voice of the African-American literary tradition. Chris Jones has a gift for creating desire-a result of his own passionate desire to be anywhere but where he is, to be anyone but himself. Sick of the constraints of his black working-class town, he uses his knack for creating effective ad campaigns to land a dream job in London. But life soon takes a turn for the worse, and unexpectedly Chris finds himself back where he started, forced to return to Philadelphia where his only job prospect is answering phones at the electrical company and helping the poor pay their heating and lighting bills. Surrounded by his brethren, the down and out, the indigent, the hopeless, Chris hits bottom. Only a stroke of inspiration and faith can get him back on his feet. The funny and moving tale of a young black man who, in the process of trying to break free from the city he despises, is forced to come to terms with himself. Mat Johnsonreceived his MFA from Columbia University. He returned to his native Philadelphia, with his wife and daughter, after living in Harlem for several years.Dropis his first novel. Chris Jones has a gift for creating desirea result of his own passionate desire to be anywhere but where he is, to be anyone but himself. Determined to break free from the constraints of his black working-class town, he uses his knack for creating effective ad campaigns to land a gig in London. Now, after having spent his twenties taking care of his dying mother, he has finally cut loose from his Philly roots. Chris is raking in the dough, dating a beautiful Nigerian dancer, living in a dazzling apartment, and spending his nights clubbing in the West End. He enjoys the role of the successful black American, living among the bourgeois Africans and West Indians of London. No longer afraid of what he calls the "pop pop pop" of gunfire so prevalent on the streets of his hometown, Chris is finally free. But life takes a turn for the worse, and unexpectedly Chris finds himself back where he started, forced to return to Philadelphia where his only job prospect is answering phones at the electrical company, helping the poor pay their heating and lighting bills. Surrounded by his brethren, the down and out, the indigent, the hopeless, Chris hits bottom. Only a stroke of inspiration and faith will get him back on his feet. Dropis a funny, moving and unforgettable tale of a man determined to break free of the city he despises and who, in the process, is forced to come to terms with himself. "Johnson's talent is obvious from the get-go . . . [Dropis] comical, serious, and eloquentall at the same time."The Washington Post Book World "Dropby Mat Johnson signals the arrival of a talented new fiction writer who is adroit at both satire and creating sensitive, memorable characters."Essence "Read it for an example of writing at its best."Rocky Mountain News "Sophisticated. Brilliant. Honest. Lush with prose that resonates with riffs, sounds of jazz that jump off the page . . . What an opening act for this young writer!"Sonja Sanchez, author ofShake Loose My Skin "Dropis a story of restlessness, adventure and a profound search for identity, in short all that the American novel hopes to be at its best. The distances Mat Johnson travels are more than geographical, they are leaps toward literature's most sacred forefathers. Displaying biting humor and a singular talent for beauty, Mat Johnson is a bright new star."Victor D. LaValle, author ofSlapboxing with Jesus