Big Nobody

 

Big Nobody by Alex Kadis
3/10/26; 320 pages
Random House 

Big Nobody by Alex Kadis is a highly recommended coming-of-age novel following Constance (Connie) Costa, a half-Greek, half-British teenager in the 1970s. 

It’s 1974 in London and Connie, 14, is stuck with her abusive father, “The Fat Murderer,” after the tragic death of her mother and younger brothers. George Costa requires Connie to attend Greek Night (aka Freak Night) every Friday night where the only thing to look forward to is talking to and smoking cigarettes with her friend, potentially boyfriend, Vasos (Vas) Petrides. George uses violence to punish Connie and keep her in line while preventing her from doing things other teens do, like attending school dances (disco night). She spends most nights in her room, playing her guitar and talking to her posters of Marc Bolan and David Bowie about her plans to murder her father who "was probably always an abomination of nature."

This well-written debut novel perfectly captures teen angst along with a firm sense of time and setting. In this debut novel you will sympathize with Connie. She is a fully realized, complicated character placed firmly in the time period and many of her actions and choices reflect her age. Vas is also a character who is judged and restrained by cultural expectations thrust upon him.

Soon becomes clear that the abuse/punishment is generational. Her grandfather abused her and her father denied it. Now her father controls her every move and freely hits her when angry. Her Auntie Roulla is aware of everything but can only do so much to protect her as she is restrained by cultural expectations placed on her and enforced by her husband. There will be an increased of sympathy for Connie as more information makes her continual focus on killing her father understandable.

The majority of the novel takes place from 1974-1977, with the final section jumping forward to 2007. I must mention that Kadis inherently understands the 70's and uses this superpower to really capture the time period. Even the posters in Connie's room, causally mentioning disco, and clothing choices in the novel line up with the time period. Unlike a previous novel I read supposedly set in the 70's, there are very limited phone calls and even a mention of getting off the phone due to the cost. The final section of the novel provides some closure, but also require you to set a bit of disbelief aside. On the other hand, the final line in the novel is brilliant.

Big Nobody is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys well-written coming-of-age stories with an edge. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.