ZigZag

Dangerous turns and rites of passage—A Huckleberry Finn for the 21st Century.


The acclaimed debut by Landon J. Napoleon called “One of the boldest and most original first novels to appear in a long time” (Carl Hiaasen).


Published to widespread critical acclaim and made into a feature film starring John Leguizamo and Oliver Platt, ZigZag is the namesake and touching tale of an unusual fifteen-year-old boy. ZigZag is autistic, with a childlike curiosity that gives him keen insights amid the chaos of his oppressive world. Beset by his abusive father, ZigZag finds refuge in his relationship with a volunteer mentor named Singer, a forklift driver who does his best to keep his unusual friend out of danger. 


The action heats up when ZigZag naively steals thousands of dollars from the safe at the restaurant where he works as a dishwasher. With Singer’s help, the unlikely duo plots to return the money—but first they have to navigate a seedy underworld bent on bringing them down.


Drawing comparisons to Mark Twain and John Steinbeck—“a modern-day Of Mice and Men” (The Times, London)—Landon J. Napoleon has created a character for the ages, and a novel that is an "unaffected, moving, astonishing insight into the heart of a troubled, silent genius" (Kirkus Reviews).


REVIEWS


“One of the boldest and most original first novels to appear in a long time. It’s also very funny, in a way that only the raw street-song of truth can be funny.”

—Carl Hiaasen


“A remarkable debut portraying the inner life of a disturbed ghetto teenager as he attempts to grow up in the frightening world he’s inherited… An unaffected, moving, astonishing insight into the heart of a troubled, silent genius.”

—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)



“… this mixture of comic adventure and paean to the values of volunteerism is a vivid read. An impressive debut novel…”

—Library Journal (starred review)


“Landon J. Napoleon conveys the strength of the human spirit through his wonderful creation, and in the process tells an engaging and enriching story.”

—Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers



“… an adventure that has all the tragic-comic energy of a latter-day The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Like Twain’s classic, this novel excels at adolescent monologue.”

—Arena Magazine, United Kingdom


“… an affecting tale of the triumph of hope over desperate circumstances… a modern day Of Mice And Men.” 

—The Times, United Kingdom



MORE PRAISE:


“Briskly told and well-drawn… this legal thriller (The Rules of Action) does what many courtroom-based novels and television shows do not: It stays true to the actual practice of trial law… A fast-paced tale of justice in action and a remarkably accurate portrait of a trial lawyer’s daily grind… Prospective law students are frequently encouraged to read law-student memoirs or legal hornbooks, but for a realistic view of litigation and a great deal more action, they’d do well to add this legal thriller to their reading list.”

—Kirkus Reviews



“The Rules of Action is of the most compelling and entertaining books I have ever read on the strategy and gamesmanship of the legal process.”

—Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods



“Weird, funky, and offbeat… Deep Wicked Freaky is a harrowing, hysterical, and ultimately life-affirming romp through America’s dark and desperate underbelly. Landon J. Napoleon’s prose is gritty, jagged and full of passion.”

—David S. Goyer