The Virgin Flames

[Nigerian born] Chris Abani's new book, "The Virgin of Flames," is out now. You may remember him from when he was first imprisoned by the Nigerian regime at the age of eighteen when his debut novel was labeled a threat to national security, Abani continued after his release to challenge injustice as part of a guerrilla theater group that performed in front of government buildings. His activism led to more arrests and, eventually, a death sentence. When he was released he chose exile, finally settling in California.

He also wrote "Graceland," one of my favorites.