John Edgar Wideman has firmly established himself as one of the most respected contemporary writers, as evidenced by his receipt of the P.E.N./Faulkner Award in 1984 and 1991. The author of ten books of fiction and an autobiographical dialogue/meditation, he has won consistent praise for his polished style and his serious consideration of contemporary issues, including the deterioration of African-American urban life, the meaning of modern black manhood, and the role of violence and criminality in American life. His success as a writer has not led to predictability in his style, methods, or concerns. His career has been a persistent search for new modes of expression and deeper exploration of themes; he has challenged both conventional perceptions of black life and the methods of telling about it.

This discontent with fixed patterns seems to have been established early in his life. John Edgar Wideman , born on...