{"product_id":"only-the-strong-9781932841947","title":"Only the Strong","description":"\u003cb\u003e\"Captivating.\" --Jane Ciabattari, NPR Book Concierge: Best Books of 2015\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Incomparable charisma and verve.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe Root\u003c\/i\u003e, Best Fiction of 2015\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Lean, mean, and moving.\" --\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e, Kirkus Prize nominee\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJabari Asim's debut novel returns readers to Gateway City, the fictional Midwestern city first explored in his acclaimed short story collection, \u003ci\u003eTaste of Honey\u003c\/i\u003e. Against a 1970s backdrop of rapid social and political change, \u003ci\u003eOnly the Strong\u003c\/i\u003e portrays the challenges and rewards of love in a quintessential American community where heartbreak and violence are seldom far away. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMoved by the death of Martin Luther King Jr., Lorenzo \"Guts\" Tolliver decides to abandon his career as a professional leg-breaker and pursue a life of quiet moments and generous helpings of banana pudding in the company of his new, sensuous lover. His erstwhile boss, local kingpin Ananias Goode, is also thinking about slowing down--but his tempestuous affair with Dr. Artinces Noel, a prominent pediatrician, complicates his retirement plans. Meanwhile, Charlotte Divine, the doctor's headstrong prot g e, struggles with trials of her own. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith prose that's sharp, humorous, and poetic, Asim skillfully renders a compelling portrait of urban life in the wake of the last major civil-rights bill. Massive change is afoot in America, and these characters have front-row seats.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Agate Bolden\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/12\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781932841947\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/15\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/15\/2015 pg. 73\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/27\/2015\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Jabari Asim","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38470051332277,"sku":"9781932841947","price":14.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_49197074-8110-42aa-a0fc-66de15e17954.jpg?v=1612923348","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/only-the-strong-9781932841947","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}