an opinion

If Lost Memory of Skin is a "canonical" work, then American literature truly is dead. Personally, I couldn't get through 50 pages of that treacle... Sapphire's The Kid is the more honest, moving and well-written version of this story, in addition to the fact that it actually goes there. Of course, this meant negative reviews and even accusations of perversion on Sapphire's part. Luckily for Russell Banks, America's literati much prefers the lukewarm liberalism and sexual fantasies ("Babes on Blades" !!!) of aging white dudes.