Little Beasts : A Novel

Included in Library Journal 's "Books That Buzzed at BookExpo America" Roundup, the first word on titles and trends from Barbara Hoffert , Editor "McGevna's debut novel captures the familiar rhythms of summertime, following young people on the edge of violence." — Kirkus Reviews "Perhaps we could all use a moment to stop and breathe sometime, before we say or do something we regret. You might find yourself thinking back to this book, long after it's done. And that is the mark of a good book." — A New Day "Here is Matthew McGevna's Little Beasts , a story about growing up in the 1980s and making one's way into the world. It's all here: discovered ambition; poignant exasperation; abundant mistakes and triumphs and regrets. And what turns out to be the bitter downward path to wisdom. Matthew McGevna has given us a great gift. Superb." — Larry Heinemann , author of Paco's Story " Little... Tragedy upends a Long Island town in a crime novel that "captures the familiar rhythms of summertime, following young people on the edge of violence" ( Kirkus Reviews ) . Turnbull is a working-class town full of weary people who struggle to make ends meet. Evictions, alcoholism, and random violence are commonplace. In the heat of July 1983, when eight-year-olds James, Dallas, and Felix leave their homes to play in the woods, they have to navigate between the potentially violent world of angry adults and even angrier teens. Little do they know that within a few short hours, one of them will lie dead, after a bit of playful bullying from older teens escalates to tragedy. Loosely based on a real crime that took place on Long Island in 1979, Little Beasts is a panorama of a poor, mostly white neighborhood surrounded by the affluent communities of the East End. After the murder, the novel's main characters must come to grips with the aftermath, face the decisions they've made, and reestablish their faith in the possibility of a better world. "The reader knows one of the three will be a victim, but not which one, and we read with our hearts in our throats as we grow closer to each boy. . . . In the aftermath of that day, McGevna shows us how the brutality and tragedy of that event affect the families. . . . There will be justice, of some sort, and even redemption. But, as in real life, there is no happy ending." ?ReviewingTheEvidence.com "A gripping exploration of teenage alienation and temporary depravity." ? The East Hampton Star "All it takes is one or two characters to carry you through to the heartbreaking end?a finale that offers enough hope and redemption to equal the book's climatic horror." ?TheCattanoogan.com "A brave, beautiful book." ?Richard Bausch, author of Before, During, After The latest from Akashic's Kaylie Jones Books imprint. Turnbull is a working-class town full of weary people who struggle to make ends meet. Evictions, alcoholism, and random violence are commonplace. In the heat of July 1983, when eight-year-olds James Illworth, Dallas Darwin, and Felix Cassidy leave their homes to play in the woods, they have to navigate between the potentially violent world of angry adults and even angrier teens. Little do they know that by the end of the summer, one of them will lay dead, after a bit of playful bullying from older teens escalates to tragedy. Loosely based on a real crime that took place on Long Island in 1979, Little Beasts is a panorama of a poor, mostly white neighborhood surrounded by the affluent communities of the East End. After the murder, the novel's main characters must come to grips with the aftermath, face down the decisions they've made, and reestablish their faith in the possibility of a better world. Kaylie Jones is the award-winning author of five novels and a memoir. She teaches writing at two MFA programs and lives in New York City Turnbull is a working-class town full of weary people who struggle to make ends meet. Evictions, alcoholism, and random violence are commonplace. In the heat of July 1983, when eight-year-olds James Illworth, Dallas Darwin, and Felix Cassidy leave their homes to play in the woods, they have to navigate between the potentially violent world of angry adults and even angrier teens. Little do they know that within a few short hours, one of them will lay dead, after a bit of playful bullying from older teens escalates to tragedy. Loosely based on a real crime that took place on Long Island in 1979, Little Beasts is a panorama of a poor, mostly white neighborhood surrounded by the affluent communities of the East End. After the murder, the novel's main characters must come to grips with the aftermath, face down the decisions they've made, and reestablish their faith in the possibility of a better world. Turnbull, New York, Is A Working-class Town Full Of Weary People Who Struggle To Make Ends Meet. In July 1983, Eight-year-olds James, Dallas And Felix Leave Their Homes To Play In The Woods, Where They Have To Navigate Between The Potentially Violent World Of Angry Adults And Angrier Teens. Little Do They Know That By The End Of The Summer, One Of Them Will Lay Dead, After A Bit Of 'playful' Bullying From Older Teens Escalates To Tragedy. After The Murder, The Novels Main Characters Must Come To Grips With The Aftermath, Face Down The Decisions They've Made, And Re-establish Faith. A serious novel about lost teenagers with questionable futures and just about no adult guidance. Inevitably they take their confused and violent emotions out on each other, which leads to tragedy In July, 1983, three 8-year-old boys often slip away from their unstable homes to play in the nearby woods and continually encounter a group of irascible teens.