"Fred Daniels, a Black man, is picked up by the police after a brutal double murder and tortured until he confesses to a crime he did not commit. After signing a confession, he escapes from custody and flees into the city's sewer system."-- Provided by publisher.

Published for the first time, by special arrangement with the author's estate. Includes companion essay Memories of My Grandmother. "An unpublished novel by the author of Native son" -- jacket.

Prefactory note -- The man who lived underground -- Memories of my grandmother -- Afterword / by Malcolm Wright -- Note on the texts.