The Boy Without a Flag

“Nervy, anguished, and brilliant writing by a New York Puerto Rican … These stories are unsentimental accounts of the lives of angry children who are forced to grow up too quickly, whose small triumphs are almost always overwhelmed by the relentless tragedy of inner-city America… . Uncompromisingly bleak, and brilliant.”

“Abraham Rodriguez’s descriptions of the bleak lives of his South Bronx teenagers have a knifelike precision… . In the quiet sophistication of his title story… the father’s betrayal is shocking to the son, but also instructive… . This poignant story derives its power from a rare emotional depth.”

“Unforgettable … From a place where schooling promises nothing, where television means escapism into the World Series and Lotto drawings, Abraham Rodriguez miraculously appears. He is these kids’ bard, and he deserves to be heard.”

“The quality of the writing, Abraham Rodriguez’s compassion for his characters, and moments of friendship and youthful fun elevate this book above the overriding bleakness.”