"One of the greatest achievements of modern literature." -Richard Howard "A major achievement . . . . Genet transforms experiences of degradation into spiritual exercises and hoodlums into bearers of the majesty of love." -Saturday Review "This book recreates for the reader Genet's magic world, one of dazzling beauty charged with novelty and excitement." -Bettina Knapp "Genet would have deserved international standing for this novel alone. . . . He succeeds to an amazing degree in creating poetry from the profoundest degradation." -The Times (London)