Chris Abani Profile in LA Times

The LA Times recently ran a profile of author and poet, Chris Abani which discusses his new book, The Virgin of Flames.

Geez, there are just too many books. I really want to read this one. I know it sounds like I always say that, but it's true.

What's interesting is that according to Abani, the book was conceived as LA (that's where Abani lives) noir in the tradition of Chester Himes.

"But Abani was pressured by his editor to move away from genre fiction, and he
had to rebuild the book almost entirely."

Pressured to move away from genre fiction? Interesting.