Nelson Algren

Born 28 March 1909 in Detroit, Michigan, USA

Died 9 May 1981 (aged 72)

Nelson Ahlgren Abraham was an American writer whose novels of the poor are lifted from routine naturalism by his vision of their pride, humour, and unquenchable yearnings. He also catches with poetic skill the mood of the city’s underside: its jukebox pounding, stench, and neon glare.