preparation for the next life

Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish (Tyrant Books, 2014)

I loved this book: I loved the writing, the characters, the plot.  A romance between two somehow heroic young people: a damaged Iraq War veteran and a strong, brave Chinese immigrant.  I felt this book paid almost eerily informed attention to people under- (or non-) represented in contemporary literature, and presented them with honesty, dignity, and brilliant clarity.  A truly amazing book, one of the best contemporary novels I have read in a long time — perhaps ever.