A debut novel following the turbulent relationship of a Black biracial teen and her ferocious Russian mother, struggling to survive in the California desert.
Illuminating and keen ... Yevgenia is unforgettable. Biting, lewd and brilliant, she’s the life of the party for one person while for another, she’s the person who sucks the oxygen out of the room ... A master class of a bildungsroman ... Like childhood, Angel-Ajani’s novel is alternately horrifying and spellbinding in its lessons about love, family and growing up.
Angel-Ajani’s unflinching portrait of this hypernuclear family is captivating and complex, with a richly drawn supporting cast and occasional arch humor that leavens the intensely emotional backdrop. A Country You Can Leave gives voice to a group of star-crossed characters.
This impressive debut novel follows Lara through her late teenage years as she struggles to make sense of herself, her mother, and her place in the world. Lara is an enchanting protagonist, equal parts skeptic and romantic ... Angel-Ajani’s book is breathless and beautiful, and Lara is a gloriously brave American hero.
