This September, Amina Gautier began the book tour for her prize-winning debut collection of short stories, At-Risk. Set in Brooklyn, where Gautier herself grew up, At-Risk focuses on the on the lives of African-American teenagers who may be categorized as “at risk,” but who encounter different opportunities and dangers in their particular neighborhoods. Margot Livesey, author of The House on Fortune Street and Eva Moves the Furniture, praises Gautier’s work stating, “In this wonderful collection, Amina Gautier writes with exhilarating insight and confidence about the lives of teenagers who are indeed at risk from themselves, their families and their friends. These are urgent and important stories.”
Gautier has been awarded the Flannery O’Connor Short Fiction Award and is the second African American to win the prestigious award in its 30-year history. Gautier’s stories have also been included in anthologies such as Best African American Fiction and New Stories from the South and in numerous literary journals, including Antioch Review, North American Review, and Iowa Review. Gautier will read from and sign At-Risk on Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at Left Bank Books–Downtown and Saturday, October 22 at 2 p.m. at the St. Louis Public Library, Julia Davis Branch. Gautier has taught in Philadelphia and St. Louis, and is an assistant professor of English at DePaul University in Chicago. For more information, visit aminagautier.com, or call Left Bank Books at 314-367-6731 or visit them at left-bank.com.
Update from Left Bank Books: "Since the Cardinals made the World Series (Go Cards!), we will be moving our event with Amina Gautier (At-Risk) this Thursday, October 20, 7pm to our Central West End Store (399 N. Euclid)."
