Christ Like
“Realistic and refreshing, Xavier’s characters are flawed and feigning, and capable of making the reader both fear them and feel for them simultaneously.” —Book Marks
Mikey is a spirited but self-destructive survivor of sexual abuse, a gay Latino native New Yorker caught somewhere between Catholic guilt and club kid decadence looking to fit in as part of a family. Instead, Mikey delves into a demimonde of petty thieves, prostitutes, and pushers. Haunted by a father that Mikey has never met, a difficult childhood, recurring nightmares, the reality of death, and Christ, the story unfolds through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s following him on his journey through a fascinating world filled with Santeros, transsexuals and voguing queens.
Emanuel Xavier
Poet and activist, Emanuel Xavier was born in Brooklyn, New York, and became involved in the ball scene as a homeless gay teen. Xavier has received recognition as a spoken word artist from national colleges and universities. He has been named an LGBTQ Icon by The Equality Forum and has been presented a New York City Council Citation Award. Xavier has received an International Latino Book Award, Lambda Literary Award nominations and American Library Association Over the Rainbow Books selections for his collections which include: Pier Queen, Americano, If Jesus Were Gay, Nefarious, and Radiance. He is the recipient of a Gay City Impact Award and The Marsha A. Gomez Cultural Heritage Award.
Praise for Christ Like by Emanuel Xavier
“Christ Like is the harrowing first novel by Emanuel Xavier. When it was first published, it announced the arrival of a unique and important new voice among both gay and Latino/a writers. The novel retains its compelling power as it takes the reader on a jagged journey though the New York club scene; in theme and naked urgency, it may be justly compared to Dancer from the Dance and Last Exit to Brooklyn, but its heartbeat is puro latino.” —Michael Nava, author of The Little Death and Rag and Bone
“With Christ Like, Xavier demonstrates the literary splendor and heroic telling of Piri Thomas (Down These Mean Streets), and Junot Diaz (Drown) . . . Like the people that it represents, Christ Like is full of wit, charm, attitude, and resilience. This ain’t no sad song. This is the story of how a rock can turn itself into a gem.” —Lambda Book Report
“The emotional honesty of Emanuel Xavier’s writing grabs and holds you like a vice… Xavier has been an essential voice for an urban, queer aesthetic that has much to teach the world about creativity, resilience, and unflinching love. In re-issuing this rare work, he has given us all a gift.” —Kai Wright, author of Drifting Toward love
“An honest and genuine accounting…” 4.5 Stars —Rainbow Reviews
