A War of Eyes

by Wanda Coleman

This collection includes such stories as "The Friday night shift at the Taco House blues (wah-wah)," "Fat Lena," "Chuck and the boss man's wife," and "Buying primo time"

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

242 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Coleman was born Wanda Evans, and grew up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles during the 1960s. She received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, The NEA, and the California Arts Council (in fiction and in poetry). She was the first C.O.L.A. literary fellow (Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, 2003). Her numerous honors included an Emmy in Daytime Drama writing, The 1999 Lenore Marshall Prize (for "Bathwater Wine"), and a nomination for the 2001 National Book Awards (for "Mercurochrome"). She was a finalist for California poet laureate (2005).

Reviews

[Yvet Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanda Coleman deserves her title as "the unofficial poet laureate of Los Angeles." Her style is raw, honest, and deeply unapologetic. The last story, Jonesed, is still ringing in the back of my mind as I go about my day. I wept, I screamed within; I was angry at the conditions and proud that a voice this strong told stories that need to be told and should be told, even if they're fiction, because to many living in and around L.A. this fiction is just called Wednesday.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Wanda Coleman were a white man, she would have been as famous as Bukowski. Her writing is just as raw and real, if not more so, and will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.

[Robert Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this to my favorite short story collections of all time. Wanda Coleman is vital, unrestrained and very much missed.

[Thomas Kerwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wanda coleman deserves a much larger audience

[Tobi O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and gritty — the south central I look for in so many Hollywoodified “LA” books. This is the good stuff, the true.

[Julene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of Wanda's books I read long ago filled with stories.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanda is the GOAT