The debut novel of Percival Everett, New York Times bestselling author of National Book Award winner James.



It's the middle of the season and the third baseman for the Seattle Mariners, Craig Suder, is in the midst of an inescapable slump. On top of that, his wife has been keeping her distance and Suder can't shake the creeping fear that he might have inherited his mother's insanity. That's when his team suggests he might enjoy a little break.



What's a man to do pack up the essentials—his record player, Charlie Parker's 'Ornithology,' and a saxophone—and hit the road? What ensues is the adventure of a lifetime. Haunted by his past as a young black boy in the South, and soon on the run from some less-than-savory individuals, Suder soon finds himself in curious company—including a little white girl and a pet elephant. Epic, thrilling, and utterly alive, Suder takes us on a whirlwind journey through the joys, the sorrows, and the madness that make up a life.



First published in 1983 by Louisianna State University Press, Suder marked the debut of an iconic American voice.