Dhalgren is a science fiction novel by American writer Samuel R. Delany. It features an extended trip to and through Bellona, a fictional city in the American Midwest cut off from the rest of the world by some unknown catastrophe… all of which does nothing to explain why this novel is so powerful and moving. Bellona becomes separated from the world – physical and social laws no longer apply here. It offers people opportunities for crazy, irresponsible behavior – somewhat like Portland, Oregon – but those with hearts and minds find themselves, their true selves, in the midst of chaos.
From Wikipedia…
Samuel Ray Delany Jr.is an African American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes fiction (especially science fiction), memoir, criticism and essays on sexuality and society.
His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein Intersection (winners of the Nebula Award for 1966 and 1967 respectively), Nova, Dhalgren, and the Return to Nevèrÿon series. After winning four Nebula awards and two Hugo awards over the course of his career, Delany was inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2002. From January 2001 until his retirement in May 2015, he was a professor of English and Creative Writing at Temple University in Philadelphia. In 2010 he won the third J. Lloyd Eaton Lifetime Achievement Award in Science Fiction from the academic Eaton Science Fiction Conference at UCR Libraries. The Science Fiction Writers of America named him its 30th SFWA Grand Master in 2013.