Wings of Red

"“Told in an epistolary format of journal entries, this work of autofiction invites the reader to experience the visceral immediacy of June’s life through his clever and humorous voice."" —Katherine Ouellette, WBUR ""The stylish narrative voice propels this book. Jennings’ point of view is unlike any other."" —Adam Vitcavage, Debutiful, A Most Anticipated Book of 2023 ""The reader will quickly sink into [Jennings'] rhythm and appreciate the lively nature of his present-tense verbiage and his quick syntax . . . A portrait of a writer that is at once harsh and tender."" —Kirkus Reviews ""A gritty yet hopeful novel . . . June’s voice will hook readers from the jump with its mix of cheekiness and sincerity."" —Publishers Weekly ""Much like the author himself, Wings of Red is totally unique and individual, and yet finds deep points of connection and understanding. Written for the teacher and the student in us but also the brother, mother, and friend we hope to be, this is a story that breaks all the rules in the best of ways."" —Mathea Morais, author of There You Are ""Tender-hearted and tough-minded, James W. Jennings is a necessary writer for these harsh times. His novel Wings of Red records the daily life of June, a young Black man, a struggling writer, and a substitute teacher. June’s consciousness reveals the contemporary moment. Wings of Red is genuine and honest, a diaristic bildungsroman through which Jennings renders June’s past and present, as June seeks to understand his past and present. June’s startling ingenuousness and compassionate heart is beautiful and revelatory. Written in a stunning style, demolishing cliches and stereotypes, Jennings recharges writing with flair and hope: He is an original in every sense of the word. I love Wings of Red."" —Lynne Tillman, author of MOTHERCARE and Men and Apparitions"