Crews’s novel about a boxer with the gift of knocking himself unconscious, with a new foreword by New York Times-bestselling author S. A. Cosby A Penguin Classic A favorite of longtime Harry Crews fans, The Knockout Artist (1988) portrays Eugene Talmadge Biggs, a young boxer from rural Georgia whose champion rise is diverted by a vulnerability, or gift, for knocking himself unconscious. As he begins to exploit his talents, the notorious Knockout Artist journeys a hero’s descent into the New Orleans underworld and meets characters who have long since checked their morals at the door. The unforgettable climax shows Crews at his virtuoso best, when Eugene confronts his truth, and sets out to claim his freedom and win his own self-respect.
Harry Crews
Harry Crews (1935-2012) was an American novelist and playwright known for his gritty, Southern Gothic style and darkly humorous exploration of the human condition. His most notable works include "A Feast of Snakes," "The Gospel Singer," and "The Knockout Artist." Crews' writing often delved into themes of poverty, violence, and eccentricity, drawing on his own tumultuous upbringing in rural Georgia. His raw and visceral prose left a lasting impact on the Southern Gothic genre, influencing writers such as Cormac McCarthy and Barry Hannah. Crews' most famous work is arguably "A Childhood: The Biography of a Place," a memoir that vividly captures his tumultuous childhood and serves as a cornerstone of his literary legacy.