This profound and intense debut novel is the story of a young African American woman from West Philadelphia who finds her path to a bright future in gentrified Brooklyn, New York, blocked when she can't let go of the love she lost.

With its deeply resonant depictions of urban African American life and the cultural forces that challenge and sustain their communities, Crystelle Mourning is a triumphant, lyrical beginning to a bright new talent in fiction.

"Affirms faith in the enduring power of young love. Welcome Eisa Ulen." ~ Elizabeth Nunez, author of Prospero's Daughter and Bruised Hibiscus

"Lovely and earth scorching." ~ Tayari Jones, author of Leaving Atlanta and Silver Sparrow

"Her voice has the beauty and economy of poetry." ~ Jeffery Renard Allen, author Rails Under My Back and Holding Pattern

"In Crystelle Mourning not only are we given the gift of an inspiring main character and her journey forward and back, but also the pleasure of experiencing a first-time novelist, with so much promise, burst upon the scene." ~ Kevin Powell, author of Open Letters to America and Someday We'll All Be Free

Crystelle Mourning
by Eisa Ulen
Atria, August 2006
Hardcover, 224 pages
ISBN-10: 0-7432-7758-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-7758-7

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