The literary landscape welcomes three debut novels, each delving into profound human experiences with unique narrative voices. Cassandra Neyenesch’s “A Little Bit Bad,” Jessica M. Goldstein’s “Retro,” and Colin Morgan’s “The Ballad Of Ronan McCoy” explore themes of love, obsession, friendship, and hope.
A Little Bit Bad
Cassandra Neyenesch’s debut, “A Little Bit Bad,” centers on Perdita, a woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she witnesses her neighbor, Nando, fall from a ladder. Despite knowing him as an “anarcho-Marxist” who plays drums in a band, Perdita is drawn to him. Their connection deepens into an intense affair, causing significant disruption to her existing life with her husband and baby. The narrative navigates Perdita’s single-minded focus and the ensuing chaos. The story escalates when Nando is murdered three years later, bringing the consequences of her choices back with full force. The novel is noted for its wisdom on addiction, obsession, motherhood, and marriage, offering a compelling and different reading experience.
Retro
Jessica M. Goldstein’s “Retro” introduces Ash, a millennial actress in 2017 struggling with disillusionment and an uncertain future. Facing mounting debt, unstable employment, and strained family connections, Ash’s life seems stagnant, especially when a friend achieves significant success. A chance encounter with an advertisement for Retro, a new recreational time-travel agency, offers a flicker of hope. Ash secures a position, gaining access to the agency’s unique perk: free time travel. The novel follows Ash’s adventures leading wealthy tourists through various historical periods, but the journey eventually forces a confrontation with disturbing truths, gripping the reader throughout.
The Ballad Of Ronan McCoy
Colin Morgan’s debut, “The Ballad Of Ronan McCoy,” tells the story of Brendan, a young boy who secretly works at a funeral home to avoid being perceived as unusual by his classmates. His only true friend is Ronan, to whom Brendan confides his loneliness. Their friendship faces a profound challenge when Brendan learns that Ronan has suffered a life-altering accident and is now in a wheelchair. The novel is described as an alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming story exploring the depth of friendship and the enduring power of hope.
