Javier Perez comes from a line of hustlers, where his gritty upbringing—a murdered drug-dealing father, a struggling single mother, and a best friend locked up for gang activity—becomes his ticket to success. Harnessing his background as a poignant narrative, Javi secures a full scholarship to a prestigious university, fueling his ambition to become a celebrated writer.
In college, Javi refashions his life story into a compelling fiction, leaving behind any semblance of truth. His only link to his past is through sporadic letters with Gio, his childhood confidant, who remains indifferent to Javi’s newfound awareness of privilege and societal injustices. After graduating, a viral essay propels Javi into the limelight as a journalist at a revered magazine, lauded for his “distinctive perspective.” But Gio, who knows Javi’s true story, sees through the façade.
When Gio is released from prison and Javi offers him a role in his charade, the stakes escalate. Will Gio play along with Javi’s game or expose the truth that threatens to unravel his carefully crafted identity?
Victim is a sharp satire that skewers sentimental narratives of trauma, anchored by a tender exploration of friendship. It challenges perceptions of diversity and probes the lengths one man will go to ensure his story strikes the right chord.
“A crowning achievement.” —New York Times Book Review • “You will burn through Victim and find your hands scalded when you are done…Pitch perfect.” —Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming
