People dont just happen, writes Saeed Jones. We sacrifice former versions of ourselves. We sacrifice the people who dared to raise us. The I it seems doesnt exist until we are able to say, I am no longer yours.

Haunted and haunting,How We Fight for Our Livesis a stunning coming-of-age memoir. Jones tells the story of a young, black, gay man from the South as he fights to carve out a place for himself, within his family, within his country, within his own hopes, desires, and fears. Through a series of vignettes that chart a course across the American landscape, Jones draws readers into his boyhood and adolescenceinto tumultuous relationships with his family, into passing flings with lovers, friends, and strangers. Each piece builds into a larger examination of race and queerness, power and vulnerability, love and grief: a portrait of what we all doforone anotherandtoone anotheras we fight to become ourselves.

An award-winning poet, Jones has developed a style thats as beautiful as it is powerfula voice thats by turns a river, a blues, and a nightscape set ablaze.How We Fight for Our Livesis a one-of-a-kind memoir and a book that cements Saeed Jones as an essential writer for our time.

• Publisher:Simon & Schuster (October 8, 2019)
• Language:English
• ISBN-10:1501132733
• ISBN-13: 9781501132742
• Product Dimensions:5.5 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight:6ounces