An Untamed State

"Roxane Gay’s first novel grabs you: “Once upon a time … I was kidnapped by a gang of fearless yet terrified young men. … They held me captive for 13 days. They wanted to break me.” Gay never lets up, describing with force and passion a story that happens to women in cities around the world, making it visceral and real. A young lawyer, kidnapped in Port-au-Prince and held for ransom, returns to her husband and baby son changed, but the intervention of her kind, tender mother-in-law is a healing gift. Powerful work from an original new voice: We’re listening."